First Presbyterian, whose home includes South County’s first barrier island church, celebrates 100 years
First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach’s steeple is visible for miles out to sea, a longtime landmark for boaters. A smaller tower from the o
religion (93)
B’nai Torah Congregation welcomed 1,570 people of all ages to its annual Mitzvah Day. It was a morning full of opportunities to make a difference by participating in more than 50 acts of kindness. These included packing essential items and food for h
Parishioners Sandra and Ben McCaul say their goodbyes to Pastor Greg Rapier after his last service at First Presbyterian Church in Delray Beach. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
Related: Landmark of faith
By Janis Fontaine
The word “bittersweet” is oft
L-R: Music director Patrick Watkins, Roxanne Grant, Rodrigo Valente, Tom Benstein, Yasmary Marquez, Marko Ruffolo and cantor Marybeth Jackson. Photos provided
By Janis Fontaine
The annual Christmas concert always fills Ascension Catholic Church in
Robin Eisenberg and Judy Gordon show off their wish lists of gifts for people in need. Gordon is one of the original Giving Tree leaders, and Eisenberg is a longtime volunteer and previous education director at Temple Beth El. Photos provided
By Jan
Church groups give their ministries handmade touch
The knitting ministry at St. Gregory’s has made hundreds of prayer shawls, blankets, scarves and hats to donate to people in need (below). BACK (l-r): Mary Lintz, Anne Hilmer, Susamma Cherian and Ly
Senior Rabbi David Steinhardt retired after 31 years from B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton, the largest conservative synagogue in South Florida. Photo provided
By Janis Fontaine
When Rabbi David Steinhardt of B’nai Torah said goodbye to his c
By Janis Fontaine
All clergy are teachers, but few come with the academic pedigree of the Rev. Dr. Robyn Neville of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Boca Raton.
Neville, who says it’s perfectly fine to call her Robyn, brings more than two decades o
St. Edward Catholic Church is now the Basilica of St. Edward, making it the 94th minor basilica in the United States. St. Edward, the only Catholic church on Palm Beach, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. It got the basilica designation i
Senior Minister Jeanmarie Eck goes from a mega-church in Houston to a more intimate role in Delray Beach. Photo provided
By Janis Fontaine
Unity of Delray Beach has filled its senior minister position, a job vacant since Greg Barrette left in 2019.
By Janis Fontaine
Choral Evensong, featuring the Choir of St. Gregory’s, is set for 6 p.m. March 16 at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church.
Accompanied by music director Tim Brumfield on organ, the choir will perform a tapestry of musical interpretations
Organist Tim Brumfield’s career has led him around the world, including a stint at St. John the Divine cathedral in New York City. But when he saw an opening for the job at St. Gregory’s in Boca Raton 10 years ago, it proved to be divine inspiration.
The Chabad hopes its new home at 490 E. Palmetto Park Road will be ready in a year. Google maps
By Mary Hladky
After years of searching, Boca Beach Chabad finally has found a new home.
The Chabad in August closed on the purchase of a 30,000-square-fo
By Janis Fontaine
On a hot Wednesday in August, more than 200 people gathered in the gym at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach to talk about politics. The lively crowd came from other local Catholic churches — St. Jude and St. Joan of
Elements of the modern Passover plate include the shank bone (zeroa), which represents the roasted sacrificial lamb. The egg (beitza), one of the ‘new’ foods, represents a holiday offering. The bitter herbs (maror) and horseradish wrapped in romaine
By Janis Fontaine
In 2017, Gena Vallee heard God’s call. When she answered, he put her to work immediately. “I don’t know if I can really call it work,” she said. “Much of what I do is an honor, and most times it goes by in a wink.”
Vallee, 43, was
Statue of Mary is carried during one procession. Photo provided
With “joy and hope,” a procession outside St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church on July 13 recognized the 105th anniversary of the Third Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal in 19
By Janis Fontaine
Temple Beth El of Boca Raton continues to grow and planned to welcome Rabbi Elana Rabishaw as its fourth full-time rabbi on July 1. She will join the clergy team that includes Rabbis Dan Levin, Jessica Spitalnic Mates and Greg Wei
Handwritten letters and phone calls have replaced door-to-door visits as Jehovah’s Witnesses primary methods of spreading their message during the pandemic. Photo provided
By Janis Fontaine
No twice-a-week gatherings or door-to-door witnessing? The J
“Live From Beth El: It’s Saturday night!”
Temple Beth El of Boca Raton will virtually host its annual fundraiser, the Beth El Bash, via Zoom at 7 p.m. April 24.
And though the presentation may be virtual, the talent is the real deal: The featured m
