Ripping out the heart and soul of Lauderdale
One of the rarest architectural treasures in Fort Lauderdale is slated for the wrecking ball, unless the community steps up and divine intervention slips in.
FirstEvangelical Lutheran Church, located at 441NEThirdAve., in the heart of burgeoning FlaglerVillage, was originally St. Anthony’s, the firstRoman Catholic Church in Broward County. Its initial locationwas near theNewRiver, and when the Catholic congregation grew too big for the building itwas sold to the first Lutheran congregation meeting at theWomans Club. Sold for the sum of one dollar, this church was lovingly disassembled by John Olsson, who numbered all the blocks like a puzzle and itwasmoved brick by brick down ThirdAvenue.
This story alone is an amazing chapter of local history that almost no one knows about. The architect, FatherG.J. Plunkett, was also knownas “the first Pastor of Fort Lauderdale.” Hewas sent fromTennessee to create this uniqueRomanesque style sanctuary, the likes of which are found nowhere else in the region. The castle-like blocks are indigenous stones quarried from Northern Florida and transported on the Flagler railroad.
As the Lutheran congregation has suffered decline and is in its final death throes, it mimics what national trends are for most mainline denominational churches. The numbers of giving parishioners disappear and church governments are left with the task of selling off assets and real estate. In the case of FirstEvangelical Lutheran Church of Fort Lauderdale, a younger community church by the name of CityChurch has been renting its space for the past eight years. CityChurch has grown, with the influx of new residents and the appeal of awalkable, quaint and traditional church setting. To the shock of many, instead of grooming its tenants as the “next generation” to be caretakers of the sanctuary, the Lutheran church rejected their offer for purchase and instead have sold their properties for demolition. Taho Group has purchased the entire block and will build condos.
The City of Fort Lauderdale has no laws or ordinances to protect historic structures. Any private owner can get a demolition permit and within oneweek destroy a building. Pay a fine? There isn’t even a standard fine to scare someone fromdoing this. Aviolationwould go to special magistrate, for an unknownand unclear procedure. The city has had an epiphany of sorts and budgeted a new staff position for historic preservation director in 2017. But thatmay be too little too late for amazing gems like this church.
ACity Historic Landmark Designation was submitted in October 2016 by the former pastor of this church, theRev. Paul Pfadenhauer andmyself. The Historical Preservation Board of Fort Lauderdale heard fromthe public on Dec. 5, 2016 and voted unanimously to approve all five historic criteria thatwere presented. FlaglerVillage Association also voted unanimously to support the historic designation.
OnTuesday the Fort Lauderdale City Commission is scheduled to hear fromthe public and take a vote on Historical Landmark Designation. The public is invited to showup and speak. And to pray for the soul of the city.
RobinHainesMerrill is an artist and director of theUpperRoomArtGallery.