History and Background of the Melbourne Life Chain
Melbourne Life Chain Timeline: The Melbourne, Florida, Life Chain began in the early 1990s. During these years, we lined up along the Melbourne Causeway. In 1993 the organizer took a new direction when the Lord led him to do missionary work outside the United States. Unfortunately, that meant the Life Chain went dormant for a few years. It was re-started in 1999 with a new team of organizers (and most of the old signs too!) and has been going strong ever since. We decided that the most passers-by could be reached by holding the Life Chain in front of the Melbourne Square Mall on West New Haven Avenue (U.S. 192). The 1999 Life Chain saw about 100 people gathering in front of the Mall. In 2007, we expanded the Life Chain eastward and westward by letting churches with high attendance "adopt" their own sections of the Life Chain. Now we have one of the longest Life Chains in Florida, and possibly the nation, with about 6 miles of dedicated people lining up in support of the protection of human life.
In 2022, we expanded beyond the one street so that we had a presence on many major streets in the area, and so that participants can assemble near where they worship, reducing driving distance.
Since the feedback was largely positive for that change, we are trying in 2023 to have a presence at every major intersection in southern Brevard County, while still maintaining the goal of reducing driving distance for our dedicated participants. This way, we hope to reach north-south and east-west traffic, so that our life-affirming messages are seen by even more members of our community.
In 2022, we expanded beyond the one street so that we had a presence on many major streets in the area, and so that participants can assemble near where they worship, reducing driving distance.
Since the feedback was largely positive for that change, we are trying in 2023 to have a presence at every major intersection in southern Brevard County, while still maintaining the goal of reducing driving distance for our dedicated participants. This way, we hope to reach north-south and east-west traffic, so that our life-affirming messages are seen by even more members of our community.
Congratulations to the Top 10 Churches at the 2023 Melbourne Life Chain
Based on sign-in sheets, photos, and on-site reports
Place |
Church |
Count |
2022 Rank |
1 |
Holy Name of Jesus |
101 |
1 |
2 |
St. Joseph |
56 |
2 |
3 |
Our Lady of Lourdes |
27 |
5 |
4 |
Ascension |
16 |
7 |
5 (tie) |
Community Bible |
13 |
- |
5 (tie) |
Our Lady of Grace |
13 |
- |
5 (tie) |
The Mission * |
13 |
10 (tie) |
8 |
Holy Family * |
12 |
6 |
9 |
Calvary Chapel Surfside * |
11 |
3 |
10 (tie) |
Grace Bible * |
9 |
- |
10 (tie) |
Immaculate Conception |
9 |
- |
* = Church with relatively small congregation and an exceptionally large turnout by percentage