Our History
Mayflower held its first worship service in January of 1990 under the leadership of Rev. Mark Burns. The service was held in a meeting room at what is now Lely Manor Care. In the fall of 1990 worship moved to the new Lely Elementary School. Pastor Mark left to minister to a church in Virginia in 1993. Under the leadership of interim pastor Gordon Svoboda, the church began to grow.
In 1995 Rev. Robert E. Townsend was called and attendance continued to grow. In 1996 Mayflower purchased almost 10 acres for what is now our campus. In 1999 the Family Life Center was opened, and attendance continued to warrant a larger space. In 2004 the present sanctuary was built and dedicated. Pastor Bob Townsend continued his ministry at Mayflower until 2011 when he was called to start Lighthouse UCC Church in Naples.
In 2012 Mayflower was excited to call Rev. Alan Coe as our new spiritual leader! In 2020 Mayflower celebrated their 30th anniversary of ministering to the Naples community.
We have always believed that all people are precious children, equal and loved by God. In 2021 our congregation voted to make it official by voting to become and Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ. We continue to extend an extravagant welcome to all!
As we move into our fourth decade, Pastor Alan has retired. But, Mayflower continues growing as a congregation and it is enlarging its ministry with outreach projects such as, Grace Place, Habitat for Humanity and the Women’s Shelter for Abused Women and Children, as well as national and international missions.
