Architect Victor Lundy designed the present sanctuary, a building

which won for him international recognition. A blend of modern and

"South Seas" styling, it contrasts textured brown brick with large

areas of glass, and has a roof tied to the ground by curved beams. The

ground-breaking was held February 19, 1956. This sanctuary was

dedicated on May 25, 1958, and two years later, in June of 1960, the

mortgage was burned. A congregation of about two hundred members

paid for this building in less than five years. Church and furnishings totaled $57,233.

Anticipating future growth, the congregation voted to secure title

to ten lots of the Harris property immediately south of the church in

June of 1959. The pastoral relationship between the Reverend Hoffman

       and the church was dissolved, effective the last Sunday in October,

1959. The Reverend Leroy T. Newland served the church on a

temporary basis from November 15 through January 3, 1960, Then

Dr. Walter Keys, coming out of retirement, was appointed stated supply

minister to begin on January 10, 1960.

Although a mission church from 1917 until 1956, by 1961 the

church itself had become mission-minded and assumed responsibility

for partial support of its first missionaries, Mr. & Mrs. Adger McKay, working in Mexico.

Noticing the cramped facilities for Sunday school, Dr. Keys lost no

time in suggesting steps be taken toward construction of an education

building and fellowship hall. An extensive campaign was held early In

1961, resulting in $35,000 raised in cash and pledges, and $45,000

acquired through the sale of bonds bearing 5 per cent interest. In

November of 1961 the congregation accepted the plans of Architect

Frank Folsom Smith for an education building and fellowship hall.

They voted that the $75,000 be used to pay the balance due on the

land, to air-condition the sanctuary, move and renovate both the

manse and the "Little White Church", and to construct the education

building and fellowship hall. Several consecutive rainy Sundays

caused an indoor "groundbreaking" on April 1, 1962. Work went ahead

rapidly and some of the classrooms were ready for use by the latter

part of June. The building committee surrendered the keys to the new

buildings at a special service on February 3, 1963. Memorial plaques

were ordered — one honoring Dr. and Mrs. Walter Keys, naming Keys

Fellowship Hall — the other recognizing Mrs. Philip (Thirza) Niquet’s

long, faithful service to the Sunday school, and naming the Niquet

Education Building. Throughout the history of the church, many

memorials have been given. A memorial book listing all gifts,

honorees and donors is kept on public display at the rear of the sanctuarv.

Very tired after the strenuous building program, Dr. Keys, who

came to serve for one year and stayed for three years, requested a

termination of the pastoral relationship effective June 30, 1963.

The Reverend Russell Buffaloe became pastor October 1, 1963

and served for twelve and a half years. Russell Buffaloe led the church

in its greatest rate of growth in its sixty year history. The membership

nearly doubled during the first three years of his ministry. Since the future

widening of Proctor Road would make any addition to the front of the

sanctuary impractical, the sanctuary was extended at the rear in

the spring of 1971 and the interior was completely turned around at a cost of $118,000.

From April until November, the worship services were held in Keys Fellowship Hall.

The first women Elders were Carolyn Forrest and Mabel Summers, elected to the session

 in 1971.

Another first that year was a joint Thanksgiving service with the Bee Ridge Baptist Church

 and it became an annual event.

A larger sanctuary and increase membership signaled the need for addtional parking space.

Prior to 1971, the church owned fourteen lots

 occupied by buildings and parking lot. In October 1971 the leader-

ship and vision of Rev. Russell Buffaloe moved the church forward and the

congregation purchased two lots immediately south of the sanctuary

from the Gus Harris heirs. In June 1972, two lots and a house west of the

church parking lot were acquired from David Marble. In February

1974 the church bought one lot and house north of the Marble

property from Stanley B. Dale and both the Marble house and the

Dale house were removed from the premises. In August 1975 a lot

behind the "Little White Church" was acquired from Larry Reynolds.

And in March 1976 the church bought an additional lot north of the

Dale property from the heirs of Helen Walsh. When Larry Parker

came, Russell Buffaloe and his wife had vacated the Manse in favor of

a housing allowance and in the fall of 1975 Larry Parker and family had

vacated the manse with a housing allowance thus freeing the church

of Real Estate obligations. The Manse was then turned Into class

rooms for the Church School and it also housed the Church Library.

On April 1, 1976 Russell Buffaloe retired. During his twelve and a

half year ministry, both the membership and the church budget in

creased three fold. But more important, through his leadership and

example, the Bee Ridge Presbyterian congregation became a caring,

sharing one, serving the people of God.

The Associate Pastor, Larry Parker, served as the only Pastor of

the congregation during the interim from April 1, 1976 through October

1,1976 when the Reverend George M. Cooley began his ministry

with Bee Ridge as the newly called Pastor.

The church has continued its steady growth and the active membership

 as of Sept. 1, 1977 was 655. The church program has always been a busy one with

opportunities and activities for all age groups.

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