THE GARDEN OF EDEN
A Place of Fellowship, Renewal, and New Life
Location: Seventh Floor Garden Patio, First Church Miami
In the beginning, there was a garden.
The biblical story of creation begins with God planting a garden in Eden, a place of beauty, abundance, relationship, and life. It was a space where humanity could experience the gifts of creation and communion with God and one another. Throughout scripture, gardens continue to be places of encounter, transformation, and new beginnings.
In the beginning, there was a garden.
The biblical story of creation begins with God planting a garden in Eden, a place of beauty, abundance, relationship, and life. It was a space where humanity could experience the gifts of creation and communion with God and one another. Throughout scripture, gardens continue to be places of encounter, transformation, and new beginnings.
At First Church Miami, the seventh-floor patio draws inspiration from another beloved garden: the beautiful courtyard that stood at the center of the church's former building at 400 Biscayne Boulevard. For generations, that garden was a gathering place where friendships were formed, conversations unfolded, and the life of the congregation extended beyond the sanctuary walls.
When the new church building was envisioned, preserving the spirit of that garden was an important part of carrying the congregation's history into the future. Rather than recreating the original courtyard exactly as it had been, the seventh-floor patio reimagines its beauty and purpose in a new setting.
The open-air space features hanging gardens, a garden wall, and stone planters that also serve as seating. Surrounded by greenery and open to the sky, the patio offers a place to gather, rest, and enjoy the beauty of God's creation. From this elevated garden, visitors can look out toward the stadium, the Port of Miami, Biscayne Bay, and across the water to Miami Beach.
The views offer a striking reminder of the church's place within the city. From the garden, one can see the movement of ships, the changing skyline, the waters of the bay, and the life of a community constantly growing and transforming. In the midst of this movement, the garden offers a place to pause, connect, and remember the presence of God.
Yet the true beauty of this garden is not found only in its plants, architecture, or remarkable views. It is found in the people who gather there.
Like the garden that once stood at the heart of the former church, the seventh-floor patio has become a center of fellowship. Around tables filled with food, through shared conversations, celebrations, and moments of laughter, members, friends, and visitors are invited to experience the gifts of God through one another. The garden reminds us that fellowship is not simply an activity of the church; it is an essential expression of our faith.
Throughout the Bible, gardens are places where God meets humanity in both joy and sorrow. In Eden, we encounter the gift of creation. In Gethsemane, Jesus wrestles with suffering and surrender. And in the garden near the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Christ, discovering that what appeared to be an ending had become the beginning of new life.
These biblical gardens remind us that God's work of creation is never finished. Even in seasons of loss, change, and uncertainty, new life can emerge.
For First Church Miami, the seventh-floor garden is a living expression of this promise. The congregation has experienced the loss of familiar spaces, the challenges of redevelopment, and the uncertainty that comes with change. Yet, like a garden planted anew, the church continues to grow, creating fresh opportunities for relationships, ministry, and community.
Each time we gather in fellowship, share a meal, welcome a stranger, or discover hope in one another, we participate in God's ongoing work of renewal.
As First Church Miami celebrates 130 years of ministry in Downtown Miami, this garden reminds us that the story of faith is not simply about preserving what once was. It is about trusting that God continues to plant, nurture, and bring forth new life.
The garden that once stood at the center of the church has found a new home above the city. Its location has changed, but its purpose remains: to bring people together in the presence of God.
In every season, God is still planting. In every gathering, new life begins.
When the new church building was envisioned, preserving the spirit of that garden was an important part of carrying the congregation's history into the future. Rather than recreating the original courtyard exactly as it had been, the seventh-floor patio reimagines its beauty and purpose in a new setting.
The open-air space features hanging gardens, a garden wall, and stone planters that also serve as seating. Surrounded by greenery and open to the sky, the patio offers a place to gather, rest, and enjoy the beauty of God's creation. From this elevated garden, visitors can look out toward the stadium, the Port of Miami, Biscayne Bay, and across the water to Miami Beach.
The views offer a striking reminder of the church's place within the city. From the garden, one can see the movement of ships, the changing skyline, the waters of the bay, and the life of a community constantly growing and transforming. In the midst of this movement, the garden offers a place to pause, connect, and remember the presence of God.
Yet the true beauty of this garden is not found only in its plants, architecture, or remarkable views. It is found in the people who gather there.
Like the garden that once stood at the heart of the former church, the seventh-floor patio has become a center of fellowship. Around tables filled with food, through shared conversations, celebrations, and moments of laughter, members, friends, and visitors are invited to experience the gifts of God through one another. The garden reminds us that fellowship is not simply an activity of the church; it is an essential expression of our faith.
Throughout the Bible, gardens are places where God meets humanity in both joy and sorrow. In Eden, we encounter the gift of creation. In Gethsemane, Jesus wrestles with suffering and surrender. And in the garden near the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Christ, discovering that what appeared to be an ending had become the beginning of new life.
These biblical gardens remind us that God's work of creation is never finished. Even in seasons of loss, change, and uncertainty, new life can emerge.
For First Church Miami, the seventh-floor garden is a living expression of this promise. The congregation has experienced the loss of familiar spaces, the challenges of redevelopment, and the uncertainty that comes with change. Yet, like a garden planted anew, the church continues to grow, creating fresh opportunities for relationships, ministry, and community.
Each time we gather in fellowship, share a meal, welcome a stranger, or discover hope in one another, we participate in God's ongoing work of renewal.
As First Church Miami celebrates 130 years of ministry in Downtown Miami, this garden reminds us that the story of faith is not simply about preserving what once was. It is about trusting that God continues to plant, nurture, and bring forth new life.
The garden that once stood at the center of the church has found a new home above the city. Its location has changed, but its purpose remains: to bring people together in the presence of God.
In every season, God is still planting. In every gathering, new life begins.