Miami Springs Baptist Church

Establishment/Early Years of the Miami Springs Baptist Church

Established in 1949, the Miami Springs Baptist Church has served as a cornerstone for the Miami Springs community for over seven decades. Early in 1945, the Allapatah Baptist Church surveyed the Miami Springs community, which had no Baptist church. A Sunday school was organized in the Miami Springs public school, but it wasn’t until later that year that Rev. Henry A. Parker conducted a revival in the recreation center, from which the mission grew.

Various pastors conducted regular preaching services. In June 1946, Rev. David Lynn became the mission’s first full-time pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. J. R. Tretten, who served from March to December 1948. That same year, the Glenn H. Cutriss Properties Company, organized by the city’s founder, Glenn Curtiss, sold a plot of land at the corner of Pinecrest and Westward Drives for $15,000. By May, a 40 x 61-foot church edifice with a 500-person auditorium was built. The Miami Springs Baptist Church was officially organized on February 14, 1949.

In November 1949, Rev. Alfred A. Staples was called to serve as pastor of the church. Born in Bath, Maine, on January 24, 1916, to William Alfred and Annie P. Adams Staples, he served in the U.S. National Guard before attending the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, where he received his B.A. and P.D. degrees. He had served three pastorates in eight and a half years before coming to Miami Springs Baptist Church.

Under his leadership, the Miami Springs Baptist Church began expanding in membership and facilities. In early 1950, a Sunday School building was added to the church. Despite the expansion, the congregation quickly outgrew them, and plans were made for a new church edifice.

New Sanctuary Construction

Construction began in 1963 under the direction of Wesley Construction Company and local Miami architect O.K. Houston. Houston, a respected architect based in Coral Gables, would later design the Mutual of Omaha Building, which still stands on Brickell Avenue.

Houston’s design for the new church featured a large curved glass front reaching nearly 100 feet in height with a slanting roof constructed in front to give the appearance of “praying hands.” The beams were said to be the longest used in a Florida church at the time. The church’s design embraced a distinctly Florida theme, featuring an outdoor worship area with a garden and a baptismal area designed in the form of a garden. Construction ended in 1965, costing a grand total of $675,000, with furnishings. The new church sat 1,500 and featured new music rooms, classrooms, and a library, amongst other youth educational facilities.

Permanent Closure and Demolition

Throughout its existence, Miami Springs Baptist Church has served as a hub for spiritual growth and community activities. It offered various programs, including a preschool that educated numerous local children over the years.

In July 2023, the church announced the closure of its preschool due to financial challenges. The preschool had been operating at a deficit, heavily subsidized by the church, making its continuation unsustainable. The church was permanently shut down in 2024 after failing a recertification inspection, which deemed the structure unsafe. The cost of repairs and long-term maintenance was prohibitive, leading to the decision to demolish the building.

City Rev Church, a neighboring Christian church, acquired the property with plans to revitalize the space while honoring its historical significance. The new church aims to create a vibrant environment for worship and community gatherings, continuing the site’s legacy. The demolition of the Miami Springs Baptist church began on September 16, 2024, and continued into October 2024.

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