26-97 Feb-~-199~ ll:5~a~ 98--06~09
Illlllllllllllllllllll
ORDINANCE NO. 26-97
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, DESIGNATING THE TRINITY
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH CHAPEL, LOCATED AT 400
NORTH SWINTON AVENUE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED HEREIN, AS A LOCAL HISTORIC SITE TO BE
LISTED IN THE LOCAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES;
PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE "ZONING MAP OF
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, 1994" TO SHOW THE HISTORIC
DESIGNATION IN AN OVERLAY MANNER; PROVIDING A
GENERAL REPEALER CLAUSE, A SAVING CLAUSE, AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 4.5.1 of the Land Development Regulations
of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Delray Beach provides for
the designation and protection of historic sites; and
WHEREAS, the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of the
City of Delray Beach initiated the nomination of the property
hereinafter described for historic designation, and a designation
report was subsequently prepared; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Board held a duly
noticed public hearing in regard to the historic designation on June
4, 1997, and voted unanimously to recommend that the property
described herein be designated a local historic site; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach
has conducted a duly noticed public hearing in regard to the
designation of the property described herein as a local historic
site.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the following described property in the
City of Delray Beach, Florida, is hereby designated as a local
historic site in accordance with and under the of Section
provisions
4.5.1 of the Land Development Regulations of the City of Delray
Beach, to-wit:
THE TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH CHAPEL,
located on a portion of the Trinity Evangelical
Lutheran Church property at 400 North Swinton
Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida; more particularly
described as the East 1/2 of Lot 12, Section
8-46-34, Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida.
~11 ~ill It ~li II Iii It ill !~ Itl ,. Iii :~ Itl II 1# Il Iii il II1~
The chapel is the only building in the church
complex receiving an historic designation. The
church complex is located at the northwest corner
of Lake Ida Road and Swinton Avenue.
Section 2. That the Planning Director of said City shall,
upon the effective date of this ordinance, amend the Zoning Map of
the City of Delray Beach, Florida, to show the historic designation,
in an overlay manner.
Section 3. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in
conflict herewith be, and the same are hereby repealed.
Section 4. That should any section or provision of this
ordinance or any portion thereof, any paragraph, sentence, or word
be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such
decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder hereof as a
whole or part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid.
Section 5. That this ordinance shall become effective
immediately upon its passage on second and final reading.
PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on second and final
reading on this the 1st day of July , 1997.
ATTEST:
.... JCity ~l~k r
First Reading June 17, 1997
Second Reading July 1, 1997
- 2 - Ord. ~o. 26-97
; II. LOCATION MAP ORB ~.lEII;i~z~.~. Pg :~,~,
N.W. 9TH ST.
--, ~t. u~r_ BL SH BOU
LAKE ~rERR. N.W. 6TH ST.
N.E. 6TH ST.
N,E. 5TH
-- WOOD LANE
LYNN
N.E. 5TH CT.
LIBRARY
N.E. 5TH ST.
LUTHERAN D'
.w ~. L A K. E I D A R 0 A D N.E. 4TH ST. /
METHODIST ~' '."
CHURCH
Z
N.W. 5RD ST. · ST.
~ CITY
ATTORNEY
BUILDING
N TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
~ -CHAPEL/LIBRARY LOCATION-
PLANNING
CITY Of' D~LRAY BEACH, FL A-SANCTUARY R-FELLOWSHIP HALL D-CLASSROOMS
-- D/G/I'AI. ~45E MAP ~)'S~M -- MAP REF: LMA32
- . ORB 1
DOROTHY H. WILKEN, CLERK PB CgUNq'Y, FL
rlTY rlF IIELRR¥ BER£H
DELRAY BEACH
crrY CLERK
AII-AmericaCibj
1993 C R R T I F I C ~ T I O N
I, ALISON MacGREGOR HARTY, City Clerk of the City of
Delray Beach, Florida, do hereby certify that the attached
document is a true and correct copy of Ordinance No. 26-97, as
the same was passed and adopted on second and final reading by
the Delray Beach City Commission in regular session on the 1st
day of July, 1997.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the
official seal of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, on this the
9th day of February, 1998.
Kl£s~n 'Ma~reg6r ~arty - /
City Clerk
City of Delray Beach, Florida
(,SEAL)
THE EFFORT ALWAYS MATTERS
Printed on Recycled Paper
MEMORANDUM
~~," Celeste McDonough, Administrative Assistant ~ Alison Harty, City Clerk~
SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 26-97 (Historic Desiqnation for Trinity
Lutheran Church Chapel)
DATE: February 9, 1998
Attached is a certified copy of Ordinance No. 26-97 which
designates the Trinity Lutheran Church Chapel as a local historic
site. The ordinance was passed and adopted on second and final
reading on July 1, 1997.
From the looks of my file, it doesn't appear the ordinance was
ever recorded. If your records indicate the same (that it was
not recorded), please go ahead and record it with the next round
of documents.
When it comes back, please forward a copy of the recorded/~~
ordinance to Pat Cayce for her file and return the original t o~' · ~u .
me. Thanks!
ORDINANCE NO. 26-97
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, DESIGNATING THE TRINITY
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH CHAPEL, LOCATED AT 400
NORTH SWINTON AVENUE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED HEREIN, AS A LOCAL HISTORIC SITE TO BE
LISTED IN THE LOCAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES;
PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE "ZONING MAP OF
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, 1994" TO SHOW THE HISTORIC
DESIGNATION IN AN OVERLAY MANNER; PROVIDING A
GENERAL REPEALER CLAUSE, A SAVING CLAUSE, AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 4.5.1 of the Land Development Regulations
of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Delray Beach provides for
the designation and protection of historic sites; and
WHEREAS, the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of the
City of Delray Beach initiated the nomination of the property
hereinafter described for historic designation, and a designation
report was subsequently prepared; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Board held a duly
noticed public hearing in regard to the historic designation on June
4, 1997, and voted unanimously to recommend that the property
described herein be designated a local historic site; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach
has conducted a duly noticed public hearing in regard to the
designation of the property described herein as a local historic
site.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the following described property in the
City of Delray Beach, Florida, is hereby designated as a local
historic site in accordance with and under the provisions of Section
4.5.1 of the Land Development Regulations of the City of Delray
Beach, to-wit:
THE TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CFrURCH CHAPEL,
located on a portion of the Trinity Evangelical
Lutheran Church property at 400 North Swinton
Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida; more particularly
described as the East 1/2 of Lot 12, Section
8-46-34, Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida.
The chapel is the only building in the church
complex receiving an historic designation. The
church complex is located at the northwest corner
of Lake Ida Road and Swinton Avenue.
Section 2. That the Planning Director of said City shall,
upon the effective date of this ordinance, amend the Zoning Map of
the City of Delray Beach, Florida, to show the historic designation,
in an overlay manner.
Section 3. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in
conflict herewith be, and the same are hereby repealed.
Section 4. That should any section or provision of this
ordinance or any portion thereof, any paragraph, sentence, or word
be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such
decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder hereof as a
whole or part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid.
Section 5. That this ordinance shall become effective
immediately upon its passage on second and final reading.
PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on second and final
reading on this the 1st day of July , 1997.
ATTEST:
-- City ~l~k r
First Reading June 17, 1997
Second Reading July 1, 1997
- 2 - Ord. No. 26-97
II. LOCATION MAP
N.W. 9TH ST.
N.W. 7TH " _ ,.S,,T. ,.. N.£. 7TH ST.
LAKE 7ERR. N.W. 6TH
N.E, 6TH ST,
N.£. 5TH
WOOD LANI
KINGS
N.E. 5TH CT.
-- CHAPEL/
LIBRARY
LUTHERAN D--
L A K. E I D A R 0 A D N.£. 4TH ST.
METHOD/ST ,
, 7
N.E. 3RD ST.
~ -CHAPEL/LIBRARY LOCATION-
PLANNING D£PAR?MENT
CITY O¢ D(LR^Y BEACH. FL A-SANCTUARY B-FELLOWSHIP HALL D-CLASSROOMS
D/G/rAL SASE ~ SYc~r~M -- MAP REF: LI~2
MEMOR-~NDUM
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: CITY MANAGER.~'I
SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM # /0 A - MEETING OF JULY 1, 1997
ORDINANCE NO. 26-97:
DATE: JUNE 27, 1997
This is second reading for Ordinance No. 26-97 designating the
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Chapel, located at 400 N.
Swinton Avenue as a local historic site to be listed in the Local
Register of Historic Places.
Constructed in 1904 the chapel is the oldest existing church
building in the City. In 1965 the building was moved from its
original site on the southeast corner of N.E. 1st Street and 5th
Avenue to its present location. The building served as the
congregation's place of worship until the new church was
constructed in 1971. Since that time it has been used as the
library for the Lutheran School and as a temporary home for the
Haitian Emmanuel Lutheran congregation.
The chapel is the only building in the complex being considered
for historic designation. The Historic Preservation Board
considered this item at a Public Hearing on June 4, 1997 and
voted unanimously to recommend historic designation.
At first reading on June 17th, 1997, the ordinance was passed by
a vote of 5-0. I recommend that Ordinance No. 26-97 be approved
on second and final reading.
MEMORANDUM
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: CITY MANAGER ~/I
SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM # /~'~. - MEETING OF JUNE 17, 1997
ORDINANCE NO. 26-97:
DATE: JUNE 13, 1997
This is first reading for Ordinance No. 26-97 designating the
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Chapel, located at 400 N.
Swinton Avenue as a local historic site to be listed in the Local
Register of Historic Places.
Constructed in 1904 the chapel is the oldest existing church
building in the City. In 1965 the building was moved from its
original site on the southeast corner of N.E. 1st Street and 5th
Avenue to its present location. The building served as the
congregation's place of worship until the new church was
constructed in 1971. Since that time it has been used as the
library for the Lutheran School and as a temporary home for the
Haitian Emmanuel Lutheran congregation.
The chapel is the only building in the complex being considered
for historic designation. The Historic Preservation Board
considered this item at a Public Hearing on June 4, 1997 and
voted unanimously to recommend historic designation.
Recommend approval of Ordinance No. 26-97 on first reading. If
passed, the Public Hearing will be July 1, 1997.
THRU: DIANE DOMINGUEZ, DIRE~R
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ZONING
FROM: PAT CA¥CE, HISTORIC PR£SERYATION PLANNER
SUBJECT: MEETING OF JUNE t7, 1997
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO DESIGNATE THE
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHAPEL, 400 N. SWINTON AVENUE TO
THE LOCAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.
The action requested of the City Commission is that of approval on first reading
of an ordinance designating the Trinity Lutheran Chapel to the Local Register of
Historic Places.
Constructed in 1904 as the house of worship for the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Delray, the chapel is the oldest existing church building in the City.
The building was moved from its original site on the southeast corner of N.E. 1st
Street and N.E. 5th Avenue to its present location, 400 N. Swinton Avenue, in
1965 and served as the congregation's place of worship until the new church
was constructed in 1971. Since 1971 it has been used as library for the Trinity
Lutheran School as well as a temporary home for the Haitian Emmanuel
Lutheran Congregation.
In 1938 the simple wood vernacular church was remodeled and enlarged by the
addition of a vestibule, decorative entrance steps and a rear extension. The
building's exterior was stuccoed and five decorative buttresses were added to
the north and south elevations. Beginning in 1940, with the gift of one stained
glass window, the church began to replace the original double hung windows.
The beautiful stained glass panels which now grace all of the window openings
were installed, over time, as they were donated to the church. Though enlarged
City Commission Documentation
Trinity Lutheran Chapel, Historic Status
Page 2
by the front and rear additions during the 1938 renovation, the chapel retains a
great deal of its original vernacular feeling and appearance.
Trinity Lutheran Chapel is located on a portion of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
Church complex and is zoned Community Facility (CF). The legal description of
the church complex is Section 8-46-34, Delray Beach, East 1/2 of Lot 12. The
chapel is the only building in the complex being considered for historic
designation. If the church complex expands requiring relocation of the chapel on
the church property no loss of historic status will occur. The church initiated the
request for the chapel's designation.
Additional background and analysis is provided in the attached designation
Report.
The Historic Preservation Board considered this item at a Public Hearing on
June 4, 1997. After discussion, the Board voted unanimously to recommend
historic designation to the City Commission.
By motion, approve the ordinance designating the Trinity Lutheran Chapel, 400
N. Swinton Avenue, to the Local Register of Historic Places
Attachment: Trinity Lutheran Chapel Designation Report.
filelulww/trin-ccd
DESIGNATION REPORT
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH CHAPEL/LIBRARY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA
-1-
DESIGNATION REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
II.LOCATION MAP
III. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
IV.ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
V. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
VI.STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
VII.BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SOURCES
-2-
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Present Location: 400 North Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, Palm
Beach County, Florida. Moved to present location in
1965.
Original Location: Southeast corner of N.E. 1st Street and N.E. 5th
Avenue; Block 110, Lots 1 & 2.
Date of Construction: 1904
Architect: Unknown
Builder: Constructed by the men of the congregation, under
..... the direction of the Building Committee; Mr. Adolph
Hoffman, Mr. C.H. Miller and Mr. J.S. Wuepper
Present Owner: Tdnity Evangelical Lutheran Church
Present Use: School Library and Temporary Chapel for the Haitian
Emmanuel Congregation
Present Zoning: Community Facility (CF)
Legal Description: The Chapel is located on a portion of the Trinity
Lutheran Church complex; Section 8-46-34, Delray
Beach, East 1/2 of Lot 12. The chapel is the only
building in the church complex being considered for
historic designation. If the church complex expands,
requiting relocation of the chapel on the church
property, no loss of historic status will occur.
Property Control Number. 12-43-46-08-21-000-1340
Classification for Designation: Architectural and Social Significance
-3-
III. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Constructed in 1904 as the house of worship for the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Delray, the chapel is the oldest existing 'church building in the City.
The building was moved from its original site on the southeast corner of N.E. 1st
Street and N.E. 5th Avenue to its present location, 400 N. Swinton Avenue, in
1965 and served as the congregation's place of worship until the new church
was constructed in 1971. Since 1971 it has been used as library for the Trinity
Lutheran School as well as a temporary home for the Haitian Emmanuel
Lutheran Congregation.
In 1938 the simple wood vernacular church was remodeled and enlarged by the
addition of a vestibule, decorative entrance steps and a rear extension. The
building's exterior was stuccoed and five decorative buttresses were added to
the north and south elevations. Beginning in 1940, with the gift of one stained
glass window, the church began to replace the original double hung windows.
The beautiful stained glass panels which now grace all of the window openings
were installed, over time, as they were donated to the church. Though enlarged
by the front and rear additions during the 1938 renovation, the chapel retains its
original window openings, front door location and roof pitch.
IV. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Trinity Lutheran Chapel is the oldest existing church building in the City.
The chapel, as it is referred to today, was constructed as the church and original
house of worship for the Trinity Lutheran Congregation of Delray Beach. The
church was constructed in 1904 and was originally located at the southeast
corner of N.E. 1st Street and N.E. 5th Avenue. Twenty two feet wide, fifty feet
long and twelve feet high, the building was built as a wood frame vernacular
structure with wood clapboard siding and set on a pier foundation. The front
elevation faced west and had centered double doors with two windows flanking
the entrance doors. Four wooden steps, without a railing, led to the double
doors. The roof was a single gable running east and west and was surfaced with
wood shingles. The roof overhang was minimal and no shelter was provided
over the entrance doors. The north elevation had four symmetrically spaced
windows and the south elevation was identical. There are no photographs to
indicate the original east (rear) elevation.
The land on which the chUrch first stood, Lots 1 and 2 of Block 110, was
purchased for $75 from Henry Blackmer, a surveyor who came from Michigan
with the first white settlers in 1895. Mr. Blackmer then donated one half of the
price of the lots, $37.50, to the church building fund. Henry Flagler, founder of
the Florida East Coast Railroad also donated $100 to the fund. It was Flagler's
policy to donate land or funds to establish religious institutions in the towns
through which his railroad was expanding. The chapel was constructed by the
-5-
men of the congregation under the direction of the building committee; Mr.
Adolph Hoffman, Mr. C.H. Miller and Mr. J.S. Wuepper. The total cost of
construction was estimated and budgeted for $950. Construction began in
August of 1904 and the building waS completed by December of the same year,
when the first child of the congregation, William Hoffman, was baptized on
December 4, 1904. The interior of the church was finished with painted wood
paneling and a used organ was purchased from. Mr. Stirling of the Stirling
Commissary for $15. When the church was built, the congregation could not
afford to buy standard pews so simple wood benches were built. Later, backs
were installed on the benches for the ladies' side of the aisle, however, the men
found the benches with backs much more comfortable and from time to time they
too used the ladies' pews. In 1913 Mr. Wuepper, of the building committee, was
asked to construct backs for all of the pew benches.
Electricity came to Delray in 1914, and by 1915 the church was electrified for a
cost of less than $25. In 1919 Trinity decided to lay a sidewalk 50' in length in
front of the church "providing the town would give a quit claim deed not to collect
any more money from the chumh". Also in 1919 the congregation started
collecting money to build a steeple, thus reviving a resolution passed two years
earlier, unfortunately, though the proposal was revisited many times, the steeple
was never constructed. In 1923 the congregation replaced the 19 year old roof
but not with wood shingles, as in 1916 after a serious fire, the City required that
all roofs be clad in metal, tile or a composition material.
On Sunday afternoon, September 16th the disastrous hurricane of 1928 struck
and the church was tilted off its foundation. This caused such serious damage
that the congregation voted to demolish the building. Just as demolition was to
occur, along came a Mr. Reed from Miami who offered to repair the church for
$400. When the work was completed it was felt that the restored structure was
sounder than it was before the hurricane damage. Sometime after 1932 a
photograph of the south elevation shows that the rectangular windows of the
church's south elevation had been given a decorative Gothic arched header,
which leads to speculation that this trim was added to the north elevation as well.
In 1938, with the Great Depression on the wane, the congregation began a
building fund to construct a new and larger church. Plans, in the Gothic Revival
style, were drawn up by Samuel Ogren, Delray's most prominent and prolific
architect, the new building was to cost $12,000. However, the new building was
never constructed as only '$500 in pledges could be raised and it had been
decided that the work could not be started until $3,000 was pledged. By July of
1938 it was decided to remodel the old building once more. The building was
moved slightly to the rear of the lot and a new vestibule, with a secondary gable
roof, was added to the front elevation and the church was enlarged to the rear
with an additional window constructed on both the north and south elevations.
Five decorative buttresses were added to the north and south facades and the
-6-
exterior of the building was stuccoed. The cornerstone for the remodeled church
was laid on July 31, 1938. With the completion of the landscaping, which was
donated by a member of the congregation, Mike Blank of Blank's Nursery, Trinity
Church had a totally new look.
The chapel's beautiful stained glass windows were installed as they were
donated starting in 1940 when the first window, depicting Christ in Gethsemane,
was presented by Mr. and Mrs. John Schoeller. It is in the shape of a Gothic
arch and is located directly over the altar. There are five 30' x 67' rectangular
windows on each side wall of the chapel and all have an unusual 8' high hinged
transom opening at the bottom of the window to allow for cross ventilation, in the
days before air conditioning. The windows depict scenes from the Bible and the
donor or the commemorative is listed when shown.
From Front to Rear.
South Wall North Wall
The Children in the Meadow The Good Shepherd
Commemorative, Adolf Hofman
Calming the Waters on the Sea of Storm on the Sea of Galilee
Galilee Commemorative, Rev & Mrs. Arno
Thieme
Christ is Risen Mary at the Tomb of Christ
Donor, Mr. & Mrs. John Schoeller Donor, Rose Marie & Fredrick Wriedt
John Baptizing Christ Teaching in the Temple
Donor, Mr. and Mm. John Schoeller
Angel Guiding the Shepherds Christ in the Manger
Donor, Trinity Walther League Donor, Mr. & Mrs. John Blank
It is interesting to note that the windows bear a subject theme in pairs across the
aisle from each other. For example the Good Shepherd across from The
Children in the Meadow; Storm on the Sea of Galilee across from Calming the
Waters on the Sea of Galilee.
The vestibule has two small 12" x 46" windows on either side of the front
entrance doom. On the north is Chdst with a Lantern, or Light of the World and
on the south is Christ Welcoming the Flock. In the vestry to the north of the altar
are two 30" x 67" windows with geometric stained glass panes; one located on
the north elevation and one on the west.
-7-
Unfortunately, at the time of this report the stained glass artist remains unknown.
Though the windows appear to be, by coloring, design and technique, the work
of one firm, further research will be needed to determine their origin.
The church sustained minimal damage, $500 worth of repairs, during the
hurricane of 1947 and otherwise remained in stable condition till its relocation to
its current site in 1965.
V. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Adolf Hofman was the first person of the Lutheran faith in the area. He was bom
in Germany and, while a student at an agricultural college in Stuttgart, became
aware of the unique farming opportunities in south Florida. He and his friend,
Frank Hailer, a Roman Catholic, decided to migrate to Florida and arrived in
Delray Beach (formerly Town of Linton) in 1895 the same year that the first
Michigan settlers arrived, and only one year after the area had been purchased
by William Linton. During the next few years Mr. and Mrs. Hofman constructed a
house on N.E. 7th Avenue and Mr. Hofman conducted Lutheran readings at their
home. In 1898 an ordained Lutheran minister held services for the first time ever
in Delray. As only one minister served the southern half of the state, official
services were held on an annual and sometimes semiannual basis.
A number of the early Michigan pioneers were members of the Lutheran faith,
thus greatly expanding the little congregation as they continued to settle in
Delray. On July 17, 1904, during a reading at the J.S. Wuepper's home, the little
group of worshipers determined to establish a formal congregation for the
purpose of building a church and requesting a resident pastor from the Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod. On August 11, 1904 the' congregation decided on a
name, and as the readings and services were held in the German language, the
following name was proposed, "Evangelische Lutherische Dreieinigkeits
Gemeinde, Delray Florida", (Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Delray,
Florida, the name of the town was changed from Linton to Delray in 1901).
While the church was under construction in 1904 the congregation decided to'
rent a small house nearby to use as a school for the children. The children were
to attend public school in the mornings and in the afternoon to receive instructiOn
in religion and in the German language from the pastor. German was the usual
language for church services, with English services held from time to time, until
the outbreak of W.W.I. Though only on a part time basis, this can be construed
as the real beginning of the parochial school movement in Delray.
The German language school closed at the outbreak of W.W.I, however the
congregation had always harbored a desire to open a church sponsored school
as an alternative to public school. In September of 1948 a new school was
-8-
opened in the parish house directly south of the church, thirty three students in
kindergarten and first grade were enrolled By 1952 the school conducted
classes through 4th grade with more than sixty pupils enrolled, and by 1955 a
separate school had been erected on property to the south of the church.
However, within a few years it was apparent that more room was needed for the
school, and the church purchased its present property, which consisted of the
Weir estate at the corner of N.W. 4th Street and Swinton Avenue and the
hydroponic vegetable farm owned by Dr. K. M. Davis which was just to the west.
In 1963 the groundbreaking ceremony for the new school took place. In 1965
the congregation put its property on N.E. 5th Avenue up for sale and the church
was moved to the Swinton Avenue site and served as the congregation's house
of worship until a new church was constructed in 1971. The original church
became known as the chapel and is used as a library and for the school, and for
the past several years has served as an interim house of worship for the Haitian
Emmanuel Lutheran Congregation.
VI. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Trinity Lutheran Chapel is the oldest existing church building in the City. With
the exception of the vestibule and the rear addition which were added in 1938,
the footprint of the original structure is intact. The side elevations retain their
original fenestration patterns except for the two windows which were added with
the rear addition. Though the building has been stuccoed and the original
windows have been replaced with stained glass, the simple interior presents the
visitor with a visual reminder, in both size and proportion, of the City's early
vernacular church architecture and reinforces the role religion played in the life of
the pioneers of the City. The City had other early churches in the same
vernacular style, however this is the only remaining example of 'the genre.
Historically, it is important to note that it was in this building that the congregation
voted to establish a church school in 1904, thus, though only on a part time
basis, establishing the first parochial school in the City~ The Trinity Chapel, for
its architectural, historical and cultural associations with the early beginnings of
the City, from pioneering days to the present, is worthy of the protection and
consideration afforded it by designation to the Local Register of Historic Places.
Criteria for Designation
To qualify as an historic district the properties must fulfill one or more of the
criteria set forth in LDR Section 4.5.1(B)(2) or (3). Trinity Lutheran Chapel more
than meets, the criteria for designation and fulfills the qualifications as follows:
Section 4.5.1(B)(2) A building will be deemed to have historical or cultural
significance if it meets one or more of the following criteria:
-9-
(d) Exemplifies the historical, political, cultural, economic, or social trends of the
community in history.
· The chapel exemplifies the Social and cultural importance of religious
institutions in the development of the community. The chapel was
constructed only nine years after the first settlers arrived in the south
Florida wilderness.
(e) Is associated in a significant way with a past or continuing institution which
has contributed substantially to the life of the City.
The chapel is significant for its association with the Trinity Lutheran
Church of Delray Beach. Additionally, it was the congregations desire
to establish a church school which began the parochial school
movement in the City.
Section 4.5.1(B)(3) A building is deemed to have architectural or aesthetic
significance if it fulfills one or more of the following criteria:
(a) Portrays the environment in an era of history characterized by one or more
distinctive architectural styles.
· The chapel's original simple unadorned vernacular style is typical of
the construction methods in the early years of the community.
(b) Embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style,
period, or method of construction.
· The chapel, as originally constructed, incorporated all of the
characteristics of the City's early vemacular style. As it stands today it
represents, through it's decorative buttresses and stained glass windows,
the ideals of Gothic revival ecclesiastical architecture which was popular
in the 1930s. It is also an example of a simple building which was
renovated to reflect the changing social mores while creating additional
space for the growing congregation.
-10-
VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND, SOURCES
Kuolt, Milton G. Sevel3ty.-Five Years of Memories. Trinity. Evangelical Lutheran
Church, Delmy Beach, Florida. Hackensack, NJ. Custom Books, Inc.
Britt, Lora Sinks. My Gold Coast._South Florida in the Earlier Years. Palatka,
Florida, Brittany House Publishers.
Information for Home Seekers. Picturesque Delray. 1915, Delray Beach, FL.
Delray Beach News Journal, March 4, 1938
Delmy Beach News Journal, July, 8, 1938
Report prepared March, 1997 by Patricia Cayce, Historic Preservation Planner,
City of Delray Beach.
filelulcaycelwwltrinity
-11 -
JO0
MAPPING & GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SERVICj~
PRODUCED BY SAN~O~IN FI{OM IlS AIZ{:HIV[~
1
The Church and Parsonage-About 1909
Trinity Lutheran Church after the 192.8 Hurricane
Boca Raton News, Friday June 20, 1997
I
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THE L~L REGISTER ~ HISTOR-
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~P ~ DEL~Y BEACH, FLORt-
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~ ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
MINION OF THE CI~ OF DELRAY
B~CH, F~RJD~ ~ENDfNG
C~PTER ~, ~PARKING ~HE~
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~ ~NT~, SE~ION I,~1,
~ ~AUT~RI~ TO ~KE SPECIAL
~ ~ A~ENTS; EXCE~ION~,
THE ~ND ~VELOPMENT REGU-
~TIONS OF THE ~DE OF ORDI,
B~CH, F~RI~ TO PROVIDE A
~ ~RIER FR~ PUBLIC
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FOR ~ICH THE CJ~ ~Y LEVY
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