Reflection & Resilience
History
The year was 1951. A handful of pioneers agreed to leave First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota and establish a new congregation south of town near Stickney Point Road and Tamiami Trail. The area was called Pine Shores and it was home to a trailer park and a growing residential subdivision. A vacant, one-room tavern on the west side of Tamiami Trail was for rent. The forty-two charter members moved in and Pine Shores Presbyterian Church was born. The organizational service was held on May 13, 1951, and one week later, on May 20, Women of the Church was formed. Robert Hoffman, one of the charter members, was the owner and developer of Pine Shores Subdivision. He graciously donated the large triangular lot bounded by Ridgewood, Crestwood, and Elmwood to the church. A contiguous six acres were purchased later. By late 1951 work had begun on the first unit of a new building and by March of 1952, a long room that would seat 150, an office, restrooms, and a kitchen would be home to Pine Shores Presbyterian.
The “Little Church” was packed every Sunday. Loudspeakers were set up outside so that people could worship in their cars. In 1953 the church was so crowded during the winter season that services were transferred to the Siesta Drive-In Theater. In 1955 the Oberg Room and an addition were completed. The Little Church could now accommodate 300. But more space was soon needed and rooms were added as necessary. In 1957 the fifth expansion along the north wall was finished and the church was now complete. The first Easter Sunrise Service on Siesta Beach was held in 1957 and rapidly became a moving and meaningful time of worship for the Pine Shores congregation as well as the community at large, including hundreds of winter visitors. Those attending this service now number in the thousands. In 2007, the 50th anniversary of the Sunrise Service, the goodwill offering along with a donation from the Endowment Board of the church, financed the building of a Habitat For Humanity house. The Easter Sunrise Service on Siesta Beach continues to be a gift to Sarasota that keeps giving.
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