Historic board opens designation process for former First United Methodist Church in West Palm Beach

The West Palm Beach Historic Preservation Board on April 23 voted to begin the formal process to consider designation of the former First United Methodist Church of West Palm Beach as an historic property and as a landmark.

Margie Ansura, who identified herself as church historian and a long‑time member, urged the board to act and described the building’s history and community role, saying the church was built in 1926 and “served the community by housing survivors from the 1928 hurricane” and later hosted services for Cuban refugees and community programs. She told the board she has compiled primary sources and newspaper accounts and offered to work with staff on documentation.

Board members asked staff and the board attorney whether owner consent is required and what protections, if any, apply while a designation is under consideration. Benjamin Salata, the city’s historic preservation planner, told the board no redevelopment application for exterior work has been submitted for the site; the board attorney and staff advised that landmark and historic designation are separate processes under the code and that the board will need to review the legal steps and notice requirements. Staff said it will prepare a detailed report for the board and follow up with the city attorney as needed.

Kristen Kellogg moved to "initiate the process to designate the former First United Methodist Church of West Palm Beach as historic and a landmark property"; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The motion directs staff to investigate the site’s existing entitlements, the applicable designation process, and the notice and hearing requirements; staff aims to present a report at an upcoming meeting.

The action does not itself impose regulatory restrictions beyond the board’s procedural next steps; during the meeting staff said it was unclear whether the pending designation would automatically halt redevelopment activity and that staff would clarify, including whether and how the property owner would be noticed and afforded an opportunity to be heard. The board asked staff to return with the legal and procedural details before any final recommendation is sent to city council.

Next steps: staff will prepare a written report with supporting documentation for the board and coordinate any required notice to the property owner, with the outcome to be determined in a future meeting.