In 1894 Rev. J. Milligan Wylie, pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Denver, Colorado, made an exploratory trip to California and upon his return to Denver wrote a letter dated March 22, 1894, which was published in the Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter. Following are pertinent quotations from his letter:

“Mrs. Wylie and I left Denver on February 6th going via La Junta . . . . We arrived in Los Angeles, Saturday, February 10th, having stopped over night in Redlands where a few of our people reside, who were formerly members in the Rochester, N. Y. congregation. Although they are connected with another church, there is a special interest in those who have at any time been in our communion.

“At Los Angeles we received a most cordial welcome. The Misses McConnell were untiring in their attentions, and together with the other friends made our stay one of unalloyed pleasure. Later at Oakland we received the same cordial hospitality, and at Seattle there was the same overwhelming kindness. The warm climate of the entire coast is not to be compared to the warm hearts of those who live in this genial atmosphere.

“Arrangements were made for sermons and addresses which numbered about sixteen in less than four weeks. I preached in the pulpits of Reformed Presbyterians (N.S.), United Presbyterians and Methodists, the Y.M.C.A., and to a Los Angeles county convention of Y.P.S.C.E. Other meetings were held and I had several private interviews. The prayers of the brethren had certainly opened the door of utterance. The most of the work was done in Southern California which is a compact settlement rather than isolated settlements. Within an area of perhaps seventy-five miles east and west, and forty north and south are included the principal towns of Southern California. This of course does not take in San Diego. The proximity of these centers of settlement would make it comparatively easy to visit them in carrying on reform work. A mission could be organized at Los Angeles, and the time of a laborer could be given to organizing and also to lecturing . . .

“The climate of Southern California is very mild. There is a great variety of soil. The scenery is beautiful and while there is not much money in raising tropical fruits, yet the people seem to live well and they enjoy the warm moist atmosphere from the ocean and think their country a paradise. . . . .”

It was not until 1903 that any official action was taken with regard to following up Dr. Wylie’s report. In the report of Colorado Presbytery in the Minutes of Synod of 1903 appears this sentence: “The increasing number of Covenanters on the Western coast has led Presbytery to consider the advisability of establishing a Mission in Southern California.” In the same issue of Minutes of Synod under Report of Mission Conference, Disbursements to Colorado Presbytery, is found this item: “To explore the field in So. California, $200.00”

Colorado Presbytery appointed Rev. Pollock Johnson McDonald who was pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Seattle, Washington. Under date of October 19, 1903 Rev. McDonald wrote from Los Angeles to the Christian Nation:

“Dear Editors:–Perhaps a letter and a few items will be of interest to the church. I resigned my charge in Seattle to accept an appointment of Colorado Presbytery as Presbyterial Missionary to explore the field in Southern California with a view to establishing a mission or a congregation in or about Los Angeles, after a month’s visit and rest at Mother’s in Detroit, Michigan. My purpose was to begin work about the first of September, but invitations to conduct or assist in communions. . . . kept me back three weeks from my purpose. . . .

“It does not seem that there could be a more manifest answer to prayer than has followed my coming to Southern California. Prayers there were being met and reinforced at the Throne of Grace by prayers here; and when I came the door was wide open, and there met me outstretched hands bidding a hearty, glad welcome.

“Arriving Saturday (in late September) I easily found the house of Elder Jas. Rankin of the United Presbyterian Church, whose wife is a loyal member of the church, and who is himself a good friend of the Covenant cause, praying often and earnestly for its success, and offering me the continued hospitality of his home.

“On Sabbath we attended divine service at the United Presbyterian Church, and was cordially received by the pastor, W. W. Logan. After services I met the family of R. A. Wilson, formerly of our Indian Mission; also Miss M. J. McConnell. Glad welcome was in their faces and a hearty invitation to the hospitality of their homes. The week that followed was busy tracing Covenanters that are or have been, and on Friday a meeting was arranged at one of the city parks (Eastlake Park), a lunch was spread, and afterward a council was held. The cause of the church was presented, and such was the unanimous desire of those present that a letter was a once drawn up petitioning Presbytery for permission to organize a congregation. Nine names were signed there (Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Wilson and daughter Jean, Mr. and Mrs. James McClure and daughter Clara, Mrs. L. L. Morrison, Miss Mary J. McConnell, and Mrs. James D. Rankin) and the tears of joy that brimmed over in the eyes of more than one signer reminding of the times when men wept and rejoiced as they signed the Covenants, and the touching prayers of thanksgiving and trust that followed, gave evidence that the beginning was of God.

“It is too long a story to tell of all that has followed. Other names were added. On the following week I went to Santa Ana, a beautiful town thirty-five miles to the south. There I found Elder David Mitchell and his daughter Mary, who have been there for twenty-six years, loyal to their Covenant Church, waiting and praying for an organization. Mr. Mitchell took me to the home of Thomas McCarter who, with a large family and his wife’s parents, have recently come to Santa Ana and bought a good farm and are permanently located. In these families twelve more names were enrolled on our petition; also in Santa Ana six names of adherents were enrolled who desire and promise to support Covenanter preaching. Others bespoke their interest and sympathy and promised support, but did not sign their names.

“From Santa Ana I went to Colton, where four more Covenanters added their names to our petition. At San Bernardino the names of H. T. Thompson, brother of the late Rev. J. A. Thompson, and his wife, were given as petitioners for a congregation. In all, thirty-four names of members and adherents asking for a Covenanter organization, have been signed. There are others whom we have not yet reached. It is safe to say that a congregation will be organized in Los Angeles with a branch at Santa Ana, with about forty members and adherents.

“At the head of this list is the name of Mrs. Morrison, who has been waiting twenty-eight years for an organization of Covenanters; Mr. Mitchell has been waiting twenty-six years; Miss McConnell has waited eleven years; the family of Mr. Wilson have waited nine years, etc., etc. But what touches the heart and quickens faith in the cause which is so dear to a Covenanter’s heart is to meet with an aged couple who have been in California since early in the fifties coming by the ‘long route’ before the time of transcontinental railroads, still true in heart to the love of early childhood’s training and confiding to me that they will soon be with us in our work for the Old Covenant Banner. It is such like testimonies and encouragement that makes the beginning of the work here the happiest service of my ministry.

“Los Angeles is a rapidly growing and beautiful city. The winter resort of thousands and the home of many thousands more who have found the climate, both winter and summer, and other surroundings the most ideal of any part of America. There are good openings for capital, and employment at fair wages is to be found for those willing to work. Around Santa Ana good farms may be had at fairly reasonable figures.

“We will be glad to answer inquiries or assist newcomers to the best of our ability.

Yours sincerely, P. J. McDonald, General Delivery, Los Angeles, California.”

Two regular places of preaching were established, one in Los Angeles and one in Santa Ana. Services in Los Angeles were first held in Brent’s Hall on Spring Street. After three months the Mission moved into a tent-house. Rev. McDonald wrote of this in a letter to the Christian Nation of February 24, 1904:

“WORK PROGRESSING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.”

Los Angeles, California

Feb. 9, 1904

Dear Brother: We are moving forward in our work in Southern California. I wrote after Thanksgiving that a thank-offering was given that day and set apart as the nucleus for a building fund. Other contributions were added, making the sum for our beginning $85. From the start all have felt that our present quarters in Los Angeles were not suitable for our work, so we have been on the lookout for suitable quarters in a location where we can engage in Sabbath School mission work. Not finding what we wanted in a location to suit we next moved in the direction of securing a lot where we might put up a tent. This we have succeeded in doing. We had given us the privilege of putting up a tent for religious work on a vacant corner lot in a good locality (East 18th and Stanford Streets). We next proceeded to erect a tent-house. Helping hands were ready for the work; a floor was laid, a frame was put up, two and one-half feet of wall sided and then a canvass was drawn over the structure to the siding. A fly was put over all for additional protection, and a door put in so that we have a comfortable place of worship, 24 x 35 feet, for the time being, at the nominal cost of $165. In such a climate as we enjoy in Southern California, where the thermometer rarely touches freezing point, and where the sun shines almost all the year, a tent-house can be made both pleasant and comfortable for a temporary place of worship. In this country we are much reminded as to climate conditions and the vegetation and pursuits of many of the people of the Land of Promise, a land flowing with milk and honey, a land of olive yards and vineyards, a land of wells and rivers. There God’s people worshiped for many generations in a tent. The climate made worshiping in a tent no hardship. Here also a tent can be made temporarily suitable, although the permanence of such a work as the church contemplates will soon require a better and more enduring structure. Exactly three months from the time we began to hold a separate worship in Los Angeles we celebrated our Lord’s resurrection in our own tent.

“Twenty-six persons waited upon the ordinances of this first day, while a number of boys got far enough to peep through openings from the outside. Among those present were Mr. Finley, of Evans, who is spending the winter here, and lent a helping hand in building our house of worship; also Elder James Scott and wife, of College Hill congregation, who are here for a couple of months to see how the work goes and to help it go forward; also Mr. Castle, of the Associate Church, Albia, Ia., who has been worshiping with us since Thanksgiving. Mr. Finley has shown the missionary spirit by bringing a traveling companion or roommate with him each Sabbath, and thus sets us a good example. . . . .

“We are persuaded that the congregations in Southern California are bound to grow rapidly for in more ways than one they offer inducements which cannot be withstood. When ordinary people can make as good a living here as in other parts of the country, and at the same time live far more comfortably and with no fear of the vigorous winters which are more and more the great bug-bear of so many. When they may have here at their hand the luxuries of nature in splendid profusion we feel sure that the church in Southern California will grow. And, indeed, there is no State in the Union where there is greater need of a ‘Witnessing Church.’ While in many respects the State stands high among the States of the Union, it is well known that she has no Sabbath law and owns no allegiance to her rightful Lord and King.

“Rev. J. M. Wylie is expected in March when we hope to be organized into a congregation. There will probably be above thirty charter members enrolled. Then there will be a number of more names to be added a little later.

“The church will be kept informed of each important advance movement. Letters inquiring about our work, our climate, our country or whatever may promote the cause of Christ through us in this place will be cheerfully answered to the best of our knowledge and ability.

Sincerely, P. J. McDonald.”

The Commission of Colorado Presbytery met in the tent March 11, 1904, to organize the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles. The commission consisted of James M. Wylie and P. J. McDonald, ministers, and David Mitchell, elder. James Scott of College Hill congregation, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, sat as a consultative member. According to the Report of Colorado Presbytery published in the Minutes of Synod of 1904, “a congregation of twenty-seven members was organized at Los Angeles on March 11 of this year.” Unfortunately there is now no official record of the names of these twenty-seven members.

R. A. Wilson and David Mitchell were elected elders, Renwick Crozier and Thomas J. McCarter deacons, and they were duly inducted into their respective offices. The following Sabbath, March 13, 1904, the First Reformed Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles celebrated communion.

In 1904 the Pacific Coast was considered a new frontier. The Spanish-American War and the assassination of President McKinley were still vivid memories. Los Angeles had a population of approximately 190,000. Southern California was a mecca for visitors and many returned to stay permanently. The tent on East 18th Street and the missionary’s home were in a pleasant neighborhood of modest homes not far from the downtown shopping area of Los Angeles. As Reformed Presbyterians came from the East to Los Angeles, it was natural that many of them settled in the vicinity of the tent. Rev. McDonald was an ardent missionary, untiring in presenting the claims of Christ to people of the community. The Minutes of Synod of 1905 reports that by April of that year membership in the congregation had increased to 41 with average attendance at Sabbath School of 46. August 26, 1905 the Santa Ana congregation was organized and sixteen members were transferred to Santa Ana from Los Angeles, including David Mitchell, elder, and Thomas McCarter, deacon.

On September 4, 1905, by appointment of Colorado Presbytery, Dr. R. J. George moderated a call in Los Angeles which resulted in the unanimous choice of Dr. Pollock Johnson McDonald on the first ballot. On March 23, 1906, Dr. McDonald was installed pastor of the Los Angeles congregation. The installation service took place in the tent, performed by a commission of Colorado Presbytery consisting of Rev. Samuel Edgar, pastor of La Junta, Colorado, congregation, Rev. George N. Greer, newly ordained and installed pastor of the Santa Ana congregation, and David Mitchell, elder of the Santa Ana congregation.

In a letter to the Christian Nation published October 5, 1904, Dr. McDonald appealed to the church for financial help for erection of a church building in Los Angeles. We quote in part:

“The Los Angeles branch began its worship in a rented hall in the business part of the city, but found the place unsuitable for work, and in February built a tent house and furnished it for nearly $200. We were given the free use of a lot in a favorable locality for work and have since been worshiping in a tent. Since beginning work in the tent there has been a total enrollment in the Sabbath School of more than 40. . . . . .

“The thing that most concerns the Los Angeles members at present is a Church home. We have been notified to vacate the lot where our tent is pitched and have had imposed on us an unfair ground rent, until it is removed. The question of trying to buy a lot has come up and is a serious problem. There is a lot within one block of where the tent now stands which seems to be in every way suitable which is on the market at $3,100. The agent will cut his commission. It is located on a wide street and is a corner lot; is between a neighborhood where good mission work may be done and a desirable residence section of the city, and handy to good car service.”

Eventually a lot 50 x 125 feet at the corner of Twenty-third and Stanford Streets was purchased at a cost of $1,550. Of this amount the congregation contributed $380. From the Minutes of Synod of 1906 we learn that “the congregation have taken steps looking forward to the erection of a church. They had somewhat elaborate plans drawn for a building which would entail a cost of about $8,000, and asked an appropriation of $2,000 from your Board (Board of Church Erection). After considering them, the Board expressed the view that the plans for Los Angeles Church were too elaborate and too expensive for so small a congregation, when nearly all the money is to be raised through the denomination.

“In the meantime, Los Angeles congregation was given the privilege of canvassing for funds, to see what response would be made. The Board also stated that they should not expect an appropriation of more than $1,000 once the building was well nigh completed.”

“At a later and recent meeting, the funds not coming in as rapidly as could be desired, the congregation resolved to erect the Sabbath-school end of the church and allow the main auditorium to wait. With this modification of their plans, the congregation has reduced the amount asked from your Board to $1,000. Their application will be considered after Synod.”

From the report of the Board of Church Erection in Minutes of Synod of 1907, we learn that Los Angeles was the only congregation applying for help that year.

“This congregation . . . received the $1,000 which your Board held in readiness to give as soon as work on their new church was under way. They began work in the early summer of 1906 and by persistent effort the congregation is now occupying the Sabbath-school room, with prospect of completing the auditorium in the near future. The building is 49 x 68 over all. The auditorium is 40 x 40, with a seating capacity of 225. The Sabbath-school room is 44 x 48, with seating capacity of 150, with classrooms opened, 200. The basement and furnace rooms 12 x 16 x 10.

“The building is expected to cost about $11,500. Of this, $4,600 was contributed by the congregation; one member, Miss Mary McConnell, making a large gift of $4,000, and $4,404 (up to May 1st) had been collected through the denomination. The cost of the church $11,500–is exclusive of lots which cost $1,550.

“In the hope of dedicating the church free of debt the congregation applied to your Board for an additional $1,000.

“At the meeting on May 9th, 1907, this $1,000 was appropriated on the condition that the church be dedicated free of debt.

“The church is well located in a growing part of the city, and pastor and people are encouraged in the outlook for long years of active service in our Redeemer’s Kingdom.”

The builder of this church was Mr. John W. Wylie, father of our Mrs. Gray Caskey. The building was dedicated in the fall of 1907 free of debt.

The first of the Los Angeles members to be married were Miss Evelyn May Boyce and Mr. Giragos Harootunian who were married in the McDonald Home July 20, 1906. An early romance among the young people of the congregation culminated in the marriage of Miss Lulu Wylie and Mr. Gray C. Caskey, November 12, 1908. This wedding was held in the Wylie home, the congregation was invited, and a wedding supper was served to all. The first bride to walk down the aisle of the new church was Miss Mary Boyd who married Mr. John W. Keys, June 26, 1913.

The first infants baptized in the Los Angeles congregation were William Jerrold, son of Clarence H. and Georgia Skinner, and Robert Samuel, son of Maurice and Agnes Crockett. The baptism was held March 24, 1906.

The decade from 1904 to 1914 was an eventful one in the history of the City of Los Angeles. To insure a plentiful water supply, much of the San Fernando Valley was annexed to the city, and 1913 saw completion of the aqueduct which brought water from the High Sierras via the Owens River. The Pacific Electric Railway was greatly extended during this decade, to include, among other places, the San Fernando Valley.

By the end of this decade communicant members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles numbered 85 and the Sabbath School enrollment was 105. Financial contributions to the church in 1914 totaled $3,341.

By the end of the second decade, 1924, the First World War had been fought and won. At least nine sons of the Los Angeles congregation did military service. All were returned to us.

During this decade, with the increasing popularity of automobiles and the development of new suburban areas, the population of the community around the church began to change. Many moved away from the church area, some to the San Fernando Valley, some to Highland Park, and some to other parts of the city. The people who moved into the area were of many nationalities and provided an abundant field for missionary work. By 1924 communicant members of the congregation numbered 111 and the Sabbath School enrollment was 175 (it had been 190 in 1923). Contributions in 1924 totaled $7,172.

The third decade, 1924 to 1934, saw post-war adjustments and prosperity followed by financial collapse. Contributions of the congregation which were $8,815 in 1928 dropped to $4,100 in 1934. But church success is not measured in dollars. This decade saw our largest Sabbath School enrollment, 240 in 1932 according to the Minutes of Synod. There were children of many ethnic backgrounds and this was a real mission field. Also, in 1931, a Sabbath School was started in Burbank in an area several miles from any church. At first this Sabbath School was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Wilson. A little later an unused real estate building was used for Sabbath School and for evening preaching services. A lot was procured on South Brighton Street in Burbank and there a suitable building was erected in 1936. It was dedicated on the afternoon of October 18, 1936, in a service conducted by Dr. David Calderwood. Members of the congregation who lived in the San Fernando Valley were the principal workers in this Sabbath School.

The fourth decade, 1934 to 1944, saw continuing changes in the church neighborhood. Most of the rollicking children who taxed our Sabbath School facilities in the 1930’s moved away and their places were taken by other racial groups who were not interested in our church or our Sabbath School. This decade saw our highest communicant membership, 158 in 1936.

In 1943 the church property at 23rd and Stanford Streets was sold and until a new church could be built four years later, Sabbath morning services were held in the Memorial Chapel of the Goodwill Industries on San Fernando Road. Who can forget the red plush auditorium, entrance on Sabbath morning via freight elevator? And if you were late you could wander through a maze of halls and pound on locked doors to gain admittance. But we were thankful for the use of this auditorium and we remember with warm hearts the kindness of the Goodwill Industries. The auditorium was not available for evenings and for about two years no evening services were held.

This decade saw us plunged into World War II with shortages, rationing and war effort. Thirty-one of our members, or sons or husbands of members, went into active military service. The son of one family, Charles Harootunian, and the husband of another member, Frank Field, were killed while on military duty.

In 1944, at the end of this fourth decade, we had 130 communicant members and 100 enrolled in Sabbath School. Our total contributions that year were $9,072. About this time, since our Burbank Sabbath School was no longer in an unchurched area, other denominations having moved in, the property there was sold and the Sabbath School was discontinued. The proceeds from the sale were added to the building fund for our new church.

The fifth decade, 1944 to 1954, saw great changes. World War II was won and our boys came home, except for the two mentioned above. Rationing of gasoline and other vital materials was discontinued. When we could travel more freely, we held evening services, congregational meetings and other gatherings in homes graciously opened to us by many members. A Thank-offering service was held in the Highland Park Christian Church. Miss Ella Margaret Stewart and Dr. Ida Scott, just returned from China via the Himalayas, India and the S.S. Gripsholm, were the featured speakers.

A welcoming dinner for the returning military men was held in the Highland Park Methodist Church. Also several fund-raising dinners to swell our church building fund were held in this church.

A building committee was appointed, B. M. Birdsall chairman, and a lot was purchased at the corner of Weldon Avenue and Fletcher Drive in the northeast part of Los Angeles. Here our present church was built at a cost of $55,000. The architect, Walter Reichard, and the builders were Steed Brothers. The building consisted at first of the sanctuary, a small kitchen, and two additional rooms. Due to post-war conditions there were many hindrances to the completion of this building and much credit is due to Dr. J. Renwick Patterson, our pastor at the time, whose persistence and untiring effort were finally successful in getting the building completed.

We first met in the new church March 16, 1947. Dr. Jessie C. Mitchell of our South China mission preached the morning sermon. Four infants were baptized that day. They were Joan Chambers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Foster Chambers; Virginia Aikin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Aikin; Stephen Jordan, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Jordan; and Bobette Aikin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Aikin.

The new church was dedicated August 17, 1947, in a Sabbath afternoon service with dedicatory prayer by Dr. A. I. Robb. In 1955 a new room was added at the rear of the building; it is presently used as a classroom and library. Communicant membership at this time was 119 and Sabbath School enrollment was 80. By the end of the decade, 1954, communicant membership was 123; Sabbath School enrollment which was as high as 118 in 1948 was down to 75 by 1954. The highest contributions in this decade were $16,722 in 1948.

The first wedding in this new church was that of Miss Dorothy Smith and Mr. Donald J. Walker on June 25, 1948.

During the sixth decade, 1955 to the present, we have added the Education Wing to our church building at a cost of $42,000. Chairman of this building committee was Mr. James Honeyman. This part of the building was dedicated February 20, 1959, with dedicatory prayer by Rev. R. Paul Robb, our pastor at the time. Our Bible School has been reorganized under a Committee of Christian Education and we are adding modern equipment. The new facilities enable us to have Bible School classes at each grade level up to Sixth Grade, a Junior High, a Senior High and College, and three adult classes. There is increasing penetration into and response from the community of the church.

Our communicant membership (March, 1964) is currently 121, our baptized membership 42, making a total of 163. Our Bible School enrollment is 182. Our contributions in this decade have reflected the inflated prosperity of our day. Last year our total contributions were $21,436.

This congregation is experiencing its eighth pastorate. The first was Dr. Pollock Johnson McDonald who was pastor from March 23, 1906, to January 25, 1921. He was followed by Rev. Arthur A. Samson who served from September 20, 1921, until his tragic death April 11, 1924. Dr. Josiah Dodds Edgar was installed pastor March 5, 1925, and was released August 15, 1928, to accept Synod’s appointment to the Department of Young People’s Work and Home Resources. Rev. David Calderwood was installed pastor January 4, 1929, and was released October 14, 1936. Dr. J. Renwick Patterson was installed May 6, 1937, and released June, 1948. Rev. Robert Crawford, Jr., was installed November 13, 1949, and released July 22, 1953. Rev. R. Paul Robb was ordained and installed July 14, 1955, and served until June 30, 1961. Rev. Bruce C. Stewart, our present pastor, was installed July 12, 1962.

Other ministers have lived and walked among us and we have been grateful for their inspiration and help. We would mention Rev. W. A. Aikin, Rev. H. G. Foster, Dr. A. I. Robb, and Dr. Elmer G. Russell. At present we are glad to have Rev. Charles Chao and Dr. Samuel E. Boyle with us. We would not forget Miss Frances George, Miss Pearl Weeks and Mrs. A. N. Girard in the 1920’s and 1930’s, later Miss Nana B. Caskey, and more recently Mrs. J. T. Kerr, who were appointed by the congregation as city missionaries and who did much to build our Sabbath School.

Men who served as elders in the congregation have been: David Mitchell and R. A. Wilson, installed at time of organization; Maurice R. Crockett and John W. Wylie 1905; W. R. Marvin and Edwin L. Dodds 1911; Thomas McClement and Howard H. Boyd 1919; R. Edmond Smith 1929; Samuel R. Marshall, J. Forrester Wilson and Benjamin Linton 1934; Gray C. Caskey, C. Dean Hinton and Donald R. Dodds 1947; J. Donald Birdsall and James R. Honeyman 1956.

Deacons have been: Renwick Crozier and Thomas McCarter installed at time of organization; Robert McBurney and Edward McBurney 1905; Gray C. Caskey and Mary J. McConnell 1907; Bergen M. Birdsall 1919; Alexander Forsyth and Vernon George 1923; Richard R. Hinton, Glenn Wilson and Donald R. Dodds 1931; J. Thompson Kerr, Edward Chambers and T. Oliver Walker 1947; Kenneth Caskey, Lewis Keys, Thomas Gault and Jerry M. Yogoda 1956; Donald J. Walker, Francis Buck and Kathryn Marshall 1958.

Time and space do not permit us to give individual credit to the many, many people who have contributed to the life of the Los Angeles congregation–Sabbath School officers and teachers, precentors and choirs, building committees, cooks, gardeners, janitors, baby-sitters, missionary societies–the Lord needs many talents in His work. No history of this congregation would be complete without a special mention of “that little lady” as her Sabbath School pupils called her, whose beautiful life, rare good humor and shining courage warmed and enriched the lives of all who knew her–Miss Helen Birdsall.

We complete our sixth decade with a deep thanksgiving to our Heavenly father who has directed us through the years. We expected that some things would change in sixty years. The population of Los Angeles has grown from 190,000 to over two and a half million. In the time that it took some of our early members to drive to church, we can fly to Denver. When we talk of frontiers today, we glibly mention rockets, outer space, the moon and Mars.

Has our church kept up with the times? Do we still preach the same message today that Dr. McDonald preached in the tent in 1904? Yes, We do! As the decades roll on we find strength and security in the knowledge that our God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. And the task that He has assigned His disciples is the same that it was sixty years ago, and two thousand years ago—Preach the Gospel.

Neither the historian nor the statistician nor the accountant can appraise the work of the church, for church history is written on human hearts and read in Christian lives. Let us be faithful to our assigned task–shew forth Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord. Results are in the hands of God who alone knows how many hearts have been changed, how many lives influenced, through the work of this congregation.

Behold, a sower went forth to sow . . . some seeds fell by the wayside . . . some fell among thorns . . . other fell into good ground and brought forth fruit . . . . . The seed is the word. (The following was added by Dr. Francis Buck in 1997)

Miss Alice Robb wrote the history of the first six decades of the Los Angeles congregation in 1964, as we celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of this congregation. We now extend this history by decade through February, 1997.

Rev. Bruce C. Stewart was our pastor when our seventh decade (1965-1974) began. He began his ministry in June 1962 and was installed by Presbytery July 12, 1962. He replaced Rev. Paul Robb who left the congregation June 29, 1961. A retired minister, Rev. Elmer G. Russell was interim moderator of the Session until his untimely death in November 1961. Rev. Glenn McFarland was moderator until the arrival of Rev. Stewart. Sam Marshall was clerk of the Session during this decade until his death in 1971. Donald Dodds replaced Mr. Marshall as clerk of Session until his death June 12, 1973. He was succeeded by Kenneth Caskey. Other elders during this decade included James Honeyman, Phillip Gross, J. Donald Birdsall, and Francis S. Buck. New members of the Deacon Board in this decade included: Wilbur Aikin (1965) and Lauren Wolcott (1966).

left to right: Phil Gross, Fern Kerr, Louise Marshall, & Francis Buck
at the time of Congregation anniversary March 13, 1964

Our pastor, Rev. Stewart was quite active in community affairs, for example, as president of the Eagle Rock Ministerial Association in Los Angeles, as moderator of the Pacific Coast Presbytery’s Ad Interim Commission, as Presbytery’s Young People’s Secretary, as president of the Southwest Region of the National Association of Evangelicals, as Clerk of our Synod, and serving on numerous Boards and Committees of Synod. He was also involved in the organization of a cooperative program among the Reformed congregations in Southern California for conferences called “Conference on Calvinism,” later renamed as the “Reformed Bible Conference.” Some of the meetings were held in our own church building and included a variety of speakers, such as: Joel Nederhood, J. I. Packer, Kenneth Smith, Edmond Clowney, and Harvie Conn

During this decade one of our members, Donald Weilersbacher graduated from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Our average membership was 153 with about 170 students in our Sabbath Bible School classes. Daily Vacation Bible School classes were run each summer with good attendance from the neighborhood of the church as well as from our own members. During the latter part of this decade, the neighborhood of our church became increasingly occupied by people whose principle language was Spanish. The Session tried to institute midweek prayer meetings in Spanish under the leadership of Mr. R. Carriga, but this effort did not meet with success. The change in the neighborhood also began to have an effect on the attendance at our Sabbath Bible School classes and our Daily Vacation Bible School classes. During this era, the Samuel Boyles and the Charles Chaos returned to the mission field after spending considerable time in our congregation. In April 1966, we were privileged to have a concert in our church by the Genevans, a choir from Geneva College. From June 15, 1970 through March 1976, the congregation helped in a mission work in the city of Walnut, California, under the leadership of D. Raymond McCracken, and the sponsorship of the Pacific Coast Presbytery.

At Synod’s meeting in 1971 our pastor, Bruce C. Stewart was elected to be president of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary and was appointed to the Chair of Pastoral Theology. Subsequently, Geneva College bestowed on him a Doctor of Divinity degree. He resigned from our congregation effective June 30, 1972. The congregation made a unanimous call to Rev. James D. Carson who accepted and began his ministry here September 1, 1973.

Dr. James D. Carson was pastor of our congregation during our eighth decade (1975-1984). In addition to his duties as a pastor he was heavily involved in regional and national organizations. In the Pacific Coast Presbytery, he served on the Ad Interim Commission, as clerk and moderator of Presbytery, and as Secretary of the Young People’s Society. In California he was active on the Board of Directors of the California Council on Alcohol Problems, serving as president from 1982-1986. He served on the Board of Trustees of Westminster Theological Seminary of California in Escondido and was chairman of that board for two terms. His service on Synod’s Boards and Committees included: Home Missions and Church Extension, the Board of Superintendents of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and chairman of the Committee to rewrite the Testimony of the RPCNA. He was a member of the Board of Corporators and later a Trustee of Geneva College, where he was chairman of a committee to write “Foundational Concepts of Christian Education.” He was Coordinator of Programs for the 1974 National Conference at Carleton. He earned a Doctor of Ministries degree from the California Graduate School of Theology in 1980. In 1980 he was a finalist among candidates for presidency of Geneva College.

The clerk of the Session from 1973 to 1975 was Kenneth Caskey. James R. Honeyman was clerk in 1976, but moved out of bounds and was replaced as clerk by J. Donald Birdsall, who served in that capacity from 1977-1991. Allen Hemphill was ordained and added to the Session in 1978. Ingrid Birdsall was ordained and added to the Deacon Board in 1983.

Our membership fell from 131 in 1975 to a low of 65 in 1983. Attendance at our Sabbath Bible School and Daily Vacation Bible School also suffered. There were several factors involved in this. During this decade the costs of housing in Southern California rose about thirteen fold, making it appear impossible for our young people to afford to own a home. As a result, a majority of our children who were born in the post World War II era, left California for areas in the east where the cost of living was much lower. Near the end of this decade, our youngest child in the congregation was of high school age. In order to make full use of our Bible School facilities, the congregation rented school rooms to the Los Angeles Chinese Baptist Mission from 1979-1983. This was an effort by that group to teach their Chinese students Chinese history and language after the usual school hours. Efforts to evangelize in the immediate neighborhood of the church were hampered by the influx of Spanish-speaking folk, who were either established Roman Catholics or didn’t speak English. We were able to have a second Bible Study-Prayer Meeting among interested English-speaking persons in the neighborhood of our church for a year or two. These were mostly established Christians and did not result in new members for our church. Added to our difficulty was the departure of two elders and a deacon to other areas of employment. The congregation seriously examined the possibility of relocating our church, but after thorough study elected to remain where we were.

One of our evangelistic efforts was an attempt at a radio ministry. Rev. Carson prepared 27 programs for broadcast. This effort did not bring in new adherents or members and was discontinued when the radio station we used moved to secular programing. Our special support was targeted to supporting Presbytery’s plan to develop a new congregation in Anchorage, Alaska, under the leadership of Rev. Robert Tweed. A Thanksgiving Conference was held in 1983 at Palomar Mountain with Dr. Robert Godfrey as speaker. During the summer we were pleased to share a seminary internship program for Jonathan Leach with our sister congregation in Santa Ana

At the beginning of our ninth decade (1985-1994), Dr. Carson was president of the California Council on Alcohol Problems as the organization fought unsuccessfully to prevent the passage of a California State Lottery. He continued in his responsibilities as a Trustee at Geneva College and as a Trustee at Westminster Theological Seminary in California. In 1986 Dr. Carson went to Florida for an Evangelism Explosion Clinic, returning to train a number of our members in those techniques. In 1986-1987 we started a program called “English as a Second Language” as an effort to penetrate the Hispanic community. A total of five semesters were taught under the teaching of Patricia Boyle and Priscilla Luther Heft. Out of this program we became acquainted with Raul and Josephina Sanchez, who were undocumented aliens from Peru.

Initially, the Sanchez’s served the church as janitors and became members in 1987. It became evident that Raul Sanchez had considerable Bible training, although most of it was undocumented. After the Session had examined him in both English and Spanish for his theological knowledge he was hired by the church to begin a part-time ministry among Spanish-speaking persons in the neighborhood of the church. He taught Sabbath and midweek Bible classes and conducted a separate Sabbath evening study in Spanish. Within a couple of years about 13 Spanish-speaking adults and 4 children were added to the congregation through this ministry. Occasionally as many as 20 Hispanics attended our morning worship services. The Session decided that Raul Sanchez was sufficiently mature as a Christian leader that it recommended to the congregation that he be elected and ordained as an elder and be employed on a full-time basis. Prior to this election and ordination, a Commission of Presbytery examined him on September 20, 1991, and approved him for more than occasional preaching. An appeal was made to the Home Mission Board for supplemental funds to support this work and it was granted. He was elected and ordained as an elder in 1991. He was the congregation’s ruling elder delegate to Synod the summer of 1992.

Because of problems associated with the fact that Mr. Sanchez and his family were undocumented aliens, the congregation sponsored and financed the appropriate legal help to get them a legal status in the United States. In 1992 Raul and his wife received work permits, pending completion of the methods to get them into this country in a legal manner as a Christian leader. The costs of this legal help were advanced by the congregation, with the understanding that the costs would be forgiven over a five-year period if Raul remained in the congregation’s employment. Mr. Sanchez and his wife and son returned to Peru the fall of 1993 in order to reenter the USA in a legal manner. On January 15, 1994, Raul Sanchez failed to appear for his usual Sabbath morning responsibilities and disappeared, abandoning his employment with the church and abandoning his wife and son, Raul, without comment. His family heard from him by telephone on a couple of occasions, at which time he indicated to them that he was not returning. One Hispanic family with four children and another adult very soon quit our fellowship, although they were apparently not connected with his disappearance. The Session found it necessary to suspend Raul Sanchez and eventually pronounced excommunication.

During this decade, in 1990, Richard A. Buck was elected and ordained to be an elder. Howard Huizing was elected to be an elder, after he was transferred from our Santa Ana congregation which was dissolved in 1988. In 1990 Don Phillips, Michael Heft, and Hector Pino were elected and ordained to the Deacon Board. Elder Francis S. Buck became clerk of the Session upon the partial retirement of J. Donald Birdsall in the summer of 1991. During the summer of 1992 the congregation was pleased to have Mark England working with us as an intern from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. In 1994 Leah Buck and Irene Huizing were elected and ordained to the Deacon Board, and Hector Pino was elected and ordained as an elder. The congregation agreed in 1985 to rent our Bible School facilities to Head Start, a government program for preschool children in the neighborhood. Our membership gradually increased during this decade, increasing from a total of 58 in 1985 to a total of 103, including 24 children, in 1994.

On August 18, 1994, Dr. Carson announced his retirement and his resignation as pastor, effective December 31, 1994. He had served in this congregation as pastor for 21 years. He assisted the Session in the appointment and instruction of a Pulpit Search Committee. He led us in a communion service the last day of his ministry to us. He began partial retirement by joining the administrative staff as part-time Dean of Students at Westminster Theological Seminary in California, Escondido, California.

We began the tenth decade (1995-2004) of our congregation’s existence with Rev. Glenn McFarland as moderator of the Session. While the Search Committee began its task of finding candidates for a new pastor, Rev. Glenn McFarland and Rev. Kenneth Orr agreed to preach on alternate Sabbaths, except when other ministers were scheduled. Both Rev. McFarland and Rev. Orr were involved in full-time teaching. Among other ministers who preached for us in 1995 were: Dennis Prutow, Timothy Russell, Bruce Backensto, Jerry Milroy, H. Wilson Albright, John White, John McFarland, Alistair McEwen and Timothy Donachie.

By November of 1995, the Search Committee had not been able to arrive at a unanimous recommendation. After Kenneth Orr asked to be considered and the Pacific Coast Presbytery had approved him as a candidate from the Presbyterian Church in America, the congregation elected him as pastor on November 15, 1995. He accepted his election and was installed as pastor by the Pacific Coast Presbytery on March 8, 1996. The next day, March 9, 1996, at the same meeting of Presbytery, John McFarland was ordained as a teaching elder and was installed to begin a new missionary work in Orange County in the city of Anaheim Hills. While this new missionary work was developing, Rev. McFarland and his family and other former members of the Santa Ana church continued to worship in our congregation. At the Synod of 1995 deacon Ingrid Birdsall was elected to serve on the denomination’s Board of Education and Publication.

Our international convention in 1996 was at Calvin College. Four of our members plus John McFarland and his family attended and enjoyed an unusually fine program. Rev. Orr was appointed to finish a vacated position as a Trustee of Geneva College.

At the Synod of 1997 Elder Richard A. Buck was elected to the denomination’s Board of Trustees of the Theological Seminary. In 1997 Rev. Kenneth Orr was elected to a full term on Geneva College’s Board of Trustees.

As of January 1997, the congregation had a total of 94 members, including 22 baptized members. However, on February 9, 1997, the new work in Anaheim Hills was consecrated as a new missionary work of the Pacific Coast Presbytery, to be known as Christ Our King Fellowship in Orange County, and eight of our members asked to be transferred to the new church, so our total membership as of February 10, 1997 stood at 87 total with 22 baptized members.

Pastor Orr retired from Gospel ministry in 2008, and in September of 2008 the congregation called Mr. Nathan Eshelman to be their pastor. He began minstry in Los Angeles in January of 2009 and was ordained and installed as pastor on February 14, 2009.