From seventeen people to the world.
Sixty-five years of God’s sovereign and faithful guidance at Coral Ridge.
Beyond expectation.
From its humble beginnings in the McNab Elementary School cafetorium, with only seventeen attendees, to reaching hundreds of millions around the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ — God’s blessings upon Coral Ridge and its ministries have been beyond expectation.
Coral Ridge endeavors to be a church that eagerly ministers in the present and expectantly looks toward the future, with an awareness of God’s sovereign and faithful guidance for more than sixty years.
D. James Kennedy pastored the Coral Ridge congregation faithfully for 48 years before entering into the presence of God in heaven in September of 2007. In 2009, the second senior pastor of Coral Ridge was installed, W. Tullian Tchividjian. In the spring of 2016, God raised up Coral Ridge’s third and current pastor, Robert J. Pacienza.
We pray this page serves as a reminder of the things God has done and will continue to do through His church. We invite you to embrace a piece of our history and join us as God continues His story at Coral Ridge. Soli Deo Gloria.
A young pastor, a school cafetorium, and a charter of forty-five members.
First church service held in the McNab School cafetorium.
The Everglades Presbytery appoints Coral Ridge’s first pastor, D. James Kennedy.
Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church officially chartered.
D. James Kennedy, now formally ordained, is officially installed as pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.
Groundbreaking ceremony for the new church building situated on two and one half acres of land on Commercial Boulevard.
The new church building is dedicated — sanctuary capacity of 500.
The city firehouse is purchased for administration, Sunday School, and a youth facility.
An annex is added to the sanctuary, increasing capacity by 300. A Fellowship Hall is also added for an additional 300 worshippers, with closed-circuit television for overflow crowds.
A training clinic for 36 pastors becomes a worldwide movement.
First evangelism training clinic held with 36 pastors in attendance — the seed of Evangelism Explosion.
Ten acres of land are purchased for the building of a larger church facility on Federal Highway, north of Commercial Boulevard.
Easter Sunday — groundbreaking for the new church facility on Federal Highway. Harold E. Wagoner of Philadelphia is selected as the architect.
Coral Ridge establishes Westminster Academy, a K–12 school. WA’s first days were held at the Pompano Race Track, but soon an additional five acres were purchased next to the new church property.
Coral Ridge launches the first season of its Concert Series.
A landmark rises on Federal Highway.
First service in the new church building on Federal Highway, with 8,000 in attendance.
The new church building is dedicated. Billy Graham delivers the dedication address to an overflow crowd of 11,000 people.
First radio broadcast from the antenna attached to the church spire — station WAFG, operated by Westminster Academy.
The Coral Ridge pulpit reaches the nation.
Dedication of the Ruffatti pipe organ.
Coral Ridge votes to leave the Presbyterian Church, U.S. and unites with the more theologically conservative Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
Coral Ridge airs the first nationwide television broadcast of its Sunday service, The Coral Ridge Hour.
Easter Sunday — groundbreaking ceremony for flanking expansions added to the main church tower.
The expansion project — matching structures flanking the sanctuary — is dedicated. Richard DeVos is the guest speaker.
Knox Theological Seminary opens its doors.
The end of one era and the beginning of another.
Celebration ’96 — Reaching All Nations through Evangelism Explosion International.
Church mortgage-burning ceremony.
D. James Kennedy enters into the presence of God in heaven, after 48 years of faithful ministry.
Sam Lamerson and Warren Gage, professors at Knox Theological Seminary, shoulder the preaching responsibilities while the church conducts an extensive search for its next senior pastor.
Easter Sunday — Coral Ridge and New City Presbyterian Church of Coconut Creek officially merge. W. Tullian Tchividjian, grandson of Billy Graham and then Senior Pastor of New City, is called to serve as the second Senior Pastor in the church’s 50-year history.
Tchividjian is officially installed as Senior Pastor. Os Guinness delivers the installation address.
The story continues under Pastor Rob Pacienza.
The congregation and Session call Robert J. Pacienza to serve as Senior Pastor — the third pastor in the church’s history.
Pacienza is officially installed as Senior Pastor. Watch the installation service presentation.
Nationwide COVID-19 lockdowns move services online for over three months. The church expands its media ministry, providing thousands each week with church online. Watch the lockdown recap.
Celebration Sunday — Coral Ridge celebrates 60 years of ministry. Watch the recap or the full service.
The measure of faithfulness.
And hundreds of millions reached with the Gospel — a number only heaven knows.
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised… One generation shall commend your works to another.”Psalm 145:3–4