Our History
Taken from The story of Mariner United Methodist Church 1981-2006.
A seven-acre site on Mariner Boulevard, just south of State Road 50 was given to the District as a gift from the Deltona Corporation. A gift of $35,000 was received from the George Young Foundation for purchase and construction of the parsonage. Ground breaking for the new church was held on June 11, 1980. Rev. Van Dyken was appointed to serve this new church. He began visiting homes in the community, inviting people to become part of this new congregation.
Forty three names were suggested for the new church. The final choice, Mariner United Methodist Church, was announced on Sunday, November 2, 1980. January 4, 1981 was a significant date in the history of Mariner Church. The St. Petersburg District Superintendent led the Charter Service where 144 persons were officially received into membership as charter members and the new building was consecrated. By 1982-83, the average attendance was between 261 and 294. Three worship services were offered for the winter season.
On February 21, 1986, a Ground-Breaking Ceremony was held for a program/administrative building. By a congregational vote, the new building was named Van Dyken Hall to honor Mariner’s founding pastor. A confirmation of membership projections by The Long-Range Planning Committee resulted in recommendations that further action be taken toward the development of plans for a proposed sanctuary and necessary parking. These plans were presented to the Administrative Board at the February 25, 1987 Administrative Board meeting. The proposed plan was passed. On July 22, 1990, church members assembled outside the original Sanctuary Building, now Fellowship Hall, to have a ground-breaking ceremony for the new Sanctuary. Construction began in August 1990 and occupancy was gained in December 1991.
