Florida Historical Markers Programs - Marker Detail

Description: Miami Shores Community Church, a member of the United Church of Christ, is the oldest church in Miami Shores. The Shoreland Company, the developers of Miami Shores, built the building in 1925 as a pump house and fire station. The original Mediterranean Revival building was converted to a community house in 1930. The Community Church moved into the building in 1933 and purchased it in 1942. The church board and Rev. Donald Douds invited Rev. Edward T. Graham, a Black minister, to preach at the church for “Brotherhood Week” in February 1949. In segregated South Florida during the Jim Crow era, this created controversy, with threats of violence made against Rev. Douds and Rev. Graham. Two crosses were burned on the church grounds and another at Rev. Graham’s house in Miami. Rev. Graham later became a noted Civil Rights activist. Because of this incident, the City of Miami passed an ordinance banning the burning of crosses. In 1950, the church built the current sanctuary, adding a two-story secular school annex in 1953. The Community Church continues its commitment to social justice. In 2011, its congregation voted to become open and affirming, welcoming persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.