About Us
Our Story: Lely Presbyterian Church
Since 1972, Lely Presbyterian Church has been a beacon of faith, fellowship, and service in Naples, Florida.
Today, Lely Presbyterian Church has reached a new milestone with the installation of Pastor Mark Jonas Hayes. Pastor Jonas brings with him a true essence for the possibility of new growth.
Located in East Naples, at 110 St Andrews Boulevard, Lely Presbyterian Church is a hometown church with a friendly and welcoming Congregation.
Lely Presbyterian Church celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2014, marking a significant milestone in its journey. During this time, the church welcomed Rev. Jim Kirk, who brought new leadership and revitalization efforts. The church transitioned from the Presbytery of the Everglades to the Peace River Presbytery, aligning itself with a broader network of faith communities dedicated to service and spiritual growth.
The members of Lely Presbyterian Church covenant with each other and with God to be a community of Christ’s people, sharing His ministry and love.
A New Chapter at Lely Presbyterian Church
Lely Presbyterian Church welcomes Pastor Mark Jonas Hayes, whose presence is not just a passing season, but a deep-rooted commitment to faith, fellowship, and the church’s future.
As a thoughtful and steady leader, Pastor Jonas embraces change as a way to strengthen and enrich the congregation, ensuring that Lely Presbyterian evolves without losing sight of its traditions. His approach is not one of force, but of guidance—bringing fresh ideas while honoring the foundations that make this church a spiritual home.
With a vision for growth and renewal, Pastor Jonas is dedicated to helping Lely Presbyterian thrive, ensuring it remains a steadfast foundation for worship and community. Together with his wife Liana and the support of the congregation, he steps forward to lead with purpose, fostering a future shaped by faith, unity, and thoughtful progress.
Our Beginnings
Our journey started in 1972, when a small group of faithful believers gathered at the Riviera Colony Recreation Center. Supported by Moorings Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery of the Everglades, these early members envisioned a thriving community rooted in worship, learning, and service.
In 1974, Christian W. Duvekot, Vice President of Lely Estates, generously donated the land at 110 St Andrews Blvd, where we now call home. Under the guidance of Rev. Richard G. Smith, Lely Presbyterian was officially commissioned, welcoming seventy charter members into its fold.
As the church flourished, it transitioned from the Presbytery of the Everglades to the Peace River Presbytery, aligning itself with a broader network of faith communities dedicated to service and spiritual growth.
Growth & Development (1974-2003)
- Sunday School was established in 1974, followed by the formation of a choir in 1975.
- By 1981, Lely Presbyterian became self-supporting, gaining independent status within the Presbytery.
- Rev. Harold B. Brown Jr. led the church from 1983 to 2003, overseeing significant growth and community engagement. Under his leadership:
– A Bell Choir was introduced.
– Young adult ministries flourished.
– The Sunday School expanded.
– The church actively supported religious, mental, social, and physical outreach programs.
Over the years, Lely Presbyterian underwent several renovations and upgrades:
- The steeple was removed and replaced with a skylight, later upgraded to a cut glass window in memory of Ruby Meyers’ husband.
Bill Deeb played a significant role in documenting and shaping Lely Presbyterian Church’s history. He authored a detailed account of the church’s early years, covering its founding, growth, and key milestones from 1974 to 1994.
Beyond his historical contributions, Bill Deeb was instrumental in developing plans for the stained glass windows, which feature biblical scenes. He led a team that designed and financed these windows, with several church members dedicating them in memory of loved ones. His efforts helped enhance the church’s visual and spiritual atmosphere.
- The pulpit and choir staging were enhanced with new carpeting and railings, funded by Hazel Thompson’s estate. Victor Miller contributed to a fundraising program, leading to renovations and the addition of new facilities for offices and Christian education.
- In the early 2000’s, Kent Copland brought the church into the information age with the advent of lelychurch.com. The churches first foray onto the world wide web.
In 2018, Lely Presbyterian underwent a significant transformation, new carpeting was installed in the main sanctuary and traditional pews were replaced with comfortable, cushioned theater-style seating, enhancing both comfort and accessibility.
- Following 2019, the stage and choir loft received another wave of revitalization, with the removal of aging carpeting and installation of beautifully crafted tile. New choir seating further enhanced both the visual appeal and acoustics of the sanctuary.
- Entering the early 2020s, Epi Delapaz and Mark Scheyder spearheaded a cutting-edge upgrade, installing studio-grade systems that enabled both real-time streaming and high-quality recording of services and events. This transformation allowed the congregation to engage from anywhere, embracing modern worship experiences.
- To further elevate the worship environment, video monitors were installed to display music and service elements overhead, while an advanced array of cameras—including both fixed and PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) models—provided versatile, high-definition audio-visual streaming for both in-person and remote worshippers
Throughout the early 2000s to present, Helen Johnson played a pivotal role in shaping Lely Presbyterian’s infrastructure. Her contributions touched nearly every aspect of the church, from new entryways and flooring to air conditioning upgrades and improvements to Kemp Hall’s kitchen, tables and seating. Her dedication and generosity left an enduring mark on the church, ensuring it remained a welcoming and well-maintained space for worship and fellowship.
We Believe
Apostles Creed
We believe in God the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord:
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried; on
the third day he rose from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Become One of Us
Discover Your Spiritual Home with Us
At Lely Presbyterian Church, everyone belongs. Whether you’re new or searching for a spiritual family, we invite you to grow with us. Our community is full of supportive people dedicated to making a positive impact.
Get Involved Today
There are many ways to engage at Lely Presbyterian. Volunteer with our outreach efforts or join one of our ministries. You can also come to Sunday worship or our upcoming events. Everyone is invited to contribute.
Start Your Journey
Finding the right church is personal. We encourage you to visit us during a service or an event to feel our community's warmth. Our doors are open, and we look forward to welcoming you.
