The Episcopal Church of the Atonement

OUR HISTORY

 

In 1966, the Rt. Rev Henry I Louttit, Bishop of South Florida, called the Rev. Know Brumby to begine a new congregation in the Northwest FT. Lauderdale area - an area expected to explode with middle- and upper-middle-class white families. From the very sparse populatipon of that time, Fr. Brumby gathered together eight people for the time service on January 15, 1967 at the Recreation Center of the Village Mobile Home Park, thus our church began as a Mission. Growth was slow but steady; and when the average attendnce at this center reached 27, it becaome necessary to move.

 

From September 3, 1967 until August 17,1969, the service were held at the Dolphin Bowling Lanes in Lauderdale Lakes. Growth continued and the search began forproperty we now have at 4401 West oakland Park Boulavard, Lauderdale Lakes. The Rectory was bought in Oriole Estastes and the Diocese made plans to move the pre-fab building from St.Nicholas' Church in Pompano (which was formerly used at St. James-in-the-Hills, Hollywood) to our property.

 

August 17, 1969, 101 people celerated the Eucharist in out building and Bishop James Duncan of Sotheast Florida dedicated our building in 1970, Fr. Bruce T. Powe;; arrived. Growth was steady but slow, and soon the need for more space was apparent. The Diocese agreed, because of our "potential" to finance the building of our current church sanctuary without a reduce and control the nearly $300,000 mortgage.

 

On January 13, 1974, foloowing the Eucharist and procession, Bishop Duncan laid the cornerstone for the new church under contruction. No predictions or cornerston for the new church under construction. No predictions or county and utilite surveys prepared us for the almost overnight transition, during that time of our building, from a predominantly white Jewish community to a predominantly West Indian community.

 

Over 300 people rejoiced on Easter Sunday, 1974in our premanent church even though the pews were not yet installed. Then on Steptember 15, 1974 after the pews were in, neighboring clergy, friends, and our own members celebrated with trumpets and guitars as Bishop Duncan formally dedicated and set aside our building to the Glory of God.

 

From 1974-2002 the congregation has kept pace with the advent of vhanges in the area surrounding the church. From the inception of change to the new church building, the neighborhood and our membership has beome a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural conglomerate. The church has responeded by reflecting the community and trasforming our worship services to address the changes in the region she serves. Under the leadership of the Laity that has represented the many segments of our population found in the Greater Ft. Lauderdale area, the church has met the spiritual and other needs of all who have come to her during the past thirty years.

 

Fr. Bruce Powell led our congregation with strenght and purpse and usherd us from a Mission staus to a Parish statys until his retirement in 1990. Fr. Powell was followed by Fr. Ronald Peak 1992 to 1994, Fr. Samuel Thomas, Interim Priest , 1994-1998 and our current Rector, Fr. Earl F. Henry - Fourth Rector of Atonement Episcopal Church who led our Parish Hall building efforts. The Hall was dedicated by Bishop Frade (Third Bishop of Southeat Florida) on May 5.2001 and named Powell Hall as a tribute to Fr. Bruce T. Powell for his twenty years of service to the parish.