In January of 2005, a small group of people began meeting at the home of Rick & Dede Hunter to pray and explore the idea of a new church in Fort Lauderdale – a church that loves its city for all its beauty and brokenness… a church engaged in the culture of its community… a church that exists for the benefit of its city.
In January of the following year, CityChurch held its inaugural weekly worship service at the New River Inn on the banks of the New River in Historic Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Then on Easter Sunday of 2006, we began meeting at Cinema Paradiso, South Florida’s most unique art house movie theater, and home to the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
Easter 2007 brought another move… this time to ArtServe – a multi-purpose facility with gallery space, auditorium, dance studio and many other amenities. ArtServe encourages the growth of cultural organizations all over Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.
Finally in August of 2008, we moved to our current location at First Lutheran Church of Fort Lauderdale. First Lutheran is housed in a beautiful carved-rock building that was the original location of the first Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale. Originally located on Las Olas Blvd., the building was moved brick by brick and re-built in its current location in 1946.
We are a church that is continuing to grow and explore what it means to be a church for the city. The people who comprise CityChurch’s interesting and diverse community are the individuals you see in your neighborhood at the local café, the folks you pass on the street or sit next to at the movies. We don’t try to cater to any one group, because we want to champion a multiplicity of perspectives.
You’re welcome to check out CityChurch, whether you grew up going to church or are coming for the first time. As you’ll quickly realize, it’s a low-pressure environment. We believe the Gospel’s message is for everyone and meets each of us where we are. With an appreciation for what makes each of us unique, the CityChurch community is designed to provide relational support in a context grounded in the search for truth.
