The Early Days

My maternal grandparents were integral and important members of Miami Shores Presbyterian Church, almost from its inception, until they moved to California in 1976. My grandfather, James H. Chance was born in 1900 and raised in Salem, Illinois. My grandmother, Vera Veach Chance was born in Simpson, Illinois in 1903 and raised in Centralia, Illinois. Both my grandparents were Presbyterians from birth, though both were raised Cumberland Presbyterian. They married in 1928, and moved to the Miami area in 1929 when my grandfather was hired at Steward-Skinner Associates, Architects. They eventually built their home at 444 N.E. 74th Street, in a then- new subdivision. My grandfather drew the plans for their home. Their daughter, Mary Margaret was born in 1931, and my mother, Betty Ann was born in 1934. What follows in this article are pictures from my family's collection.

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According to the history book of MSPC 1936-1969, this photo was taken on Easter day in 1943. It shows my grandparents, mother and maternal aunt. The plans for the church were drawn by my grandfather, James H. Chance.

This photo is labeled " Ground-breaking , Miami Shores Presbyterian Church..." . It is actually the groundbreaking for the original building of 1940 for the Northeast Presbyterian Church.The young blonde girl smiling at the camera is my maternal aunt, Mary Margaret May (1931-1961). Directly in front of her is my great-uncle, Robert Veach, brother to my grandmother, Vera Chance (1903-1977). My aunt Mary Margaret died an untimely death at the age of 29 in 1961. The "For I was hungry" stained glass window in the current sanctuary of MSPC was given as a memorial to her by my grandparents, James and Vera Chance.

This picture, labeled as "Women's Auxiliary, Northeast Presbyterian Church," features my grandmother, Vera Chance (1903-1977) , in her late thirties. She is fifth from the right in the back row. Immediately to her left is Bertha Veach (1880-1960), her mother and my great-grandmother.

I will continue to publish photos and other memoribilia as I find them.