In the year 1941, Bro. and Sis. Clayton returned to this city. Having obeyed the Gospel in Winter Garden, Sis. Clayton in 1939, being taught by the Late Bro. John R. Vahner, and Bro. Clayton in 1940, being taught by Bro. F. L. Thompson carried on the Lord’s work meeting in their home and visited nearby congregations, Cocoa, Titusville, Stuart, West Palm Beach, to name a few. In its early years, preaching was done by some of the following: Bro. J. N. Lewis of Daytona Beach, Bro. Henrich of Winter Garden, the Late Bro. Harris of Stuart.
The Church of Christ of South Melbourne was begun as a mission effort of the Melbourne Church of Christ in June 1963. The work started with Thursday night Bible classes at the home of Bro. and Sis. Clayton. In September, the Civic Center at Brother’s Park was obtained as a temporary meeting place for Sunday services.
In November 1963, Bro. Luke Baldwin and his family moved from Deland to Melbourne to become the minister of the South Melbourne Congregation. Bro. Baldwin continues to faithfully serve this congregation.
In October of 1965, a lot was purchased for building, but after a number of zoning problems, it was necessary to find an alternate location. In March of 1967, a substitute lot was found at the corner of Florida and Monroe Street, and has since been fully paid for.
During the first part of 1967, plans for a building were prepared and now have been approved for construction. The new building provides an auditorium which will seat 200, two classrooms and a nursery. A Sunday school annex is planned for the future. In keeping with the new location, the congregation will be named the Florida Avenue Church of Christ. The congregation has experienced a healthy growth since it began in 1963. The present membership is now over 60 and the future prospects are excellent.