The purpose of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church is to provide opportunities for people to discover spiritual reality through faith in Christ Jesus, and to deepen that experience by engagement with Christ through worship, study of scripture, prayer, fellowship, witness, and mission activity in Christ's name in contemporary society. We commit our lives and our resources to achieve these ends.
Church History
Pioneers
The earliest record of a movement for a Community Church on Point Loma is found in the diary of the late Dr. Charlotte Baker. She tells, under date of October 24, 1897, of the formation of a Community Sunday School of which she was appointed superintendent.
Preachers and Sunday School teachers of various denominations took turns in coming from distant San Diego to help out, Dr. Fred Baker’s sailboat being their means of transportation. It was literally an all day trip, with entertainment at the home of the Bakers and other hospitable friends.
Church Organization
On December 8, 1936, a group of citizens met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Depew to discuss ways and means of starting a church. The Committee of Eleven, which was appointed, decided to present a church project to the community, agreeing to stand all the expense campaign.
For over a year a diligent search was made for a suitable lot on which a church could be built. Owing to deed and zoning restrictions, it was finally clear that the location would have to be outside the restricted areas, and lots were obtained near Chatsworth and Voltaire.
By the time the lot was purchased, the original plans contemplated were entirely outgrown, and the building committee appointed found it necessary to revise the entire program.
This work appealed to all types of residents on account of its threefold objective – a broad Community Church, an efficient program of Christian Education and a complete Assembly hall for all community activities.
The '30s
The ‘30s were a time of dreaming and planning and hoping. But much more than that, a time of action and work and results.
How did we happen to become Presbyterian? In December 1936, the Point Loma area was allocated to the Presbyterian Church by interdenominational agreement. It was felt that “a Presbyterian Church, built on a community basis, would be broad enough in scope to welcome all Christian people of the area irrespective of their former denomination affiliation.” With this green light, a dedicated group started a neighborhood interest campaign which resulted, on June 27, 1937, in the organization of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church with 115 charter members.
Plans were submitted, a site was found, and on October 9, 1938, the first worship service was held in the Spanish-type Chapel. This first phase of the building program contained the Chapel, church school rooms, social hall, kitchen and offices. All this, plus the land, cost $30,000! A seminary student, T. Franklyn Hudson, was called to be the first Pastor.
So this decade, which began with a vision and an empty lot, ended with an active congregation and a completed facility.
The '40s
This was the EDUCATIONAL DECADE in which the first Dir. of Christian Ed. (Blanche Smith Craig) was hired. Next, the much needed Educational Unit was built. S. Dean McBride, hired as Pastor in 1942, led the dedication ceremony of the classroom facility on Sept. 19, 1948. Prior to this, the Sunday School met in donated temporary bungalows, erected on cement blocks, out on a vacant back section of the corner lot. In keeping with the growing educational aspect of these years, so many adults came for instruction and guidance, that identical dual worship services were started in 1946.
The '50s
Stretching, reaching and expanding, we entered the DECADE OF THE SANCTUARY. Now that dual worship services were in session to accommodate the flourishing membership, plans were set in motion to provide more room for them. A Groundbreaking Ceremony was held Feb.7,1954,and the Cornerstone Ceremony took place on the 17th anniversary of the founding, June 27, 1954. In the cornerstone were placed such items as a Bible, Hymnal, daily newspaper, church newsletter, and photos of congregation members. One other important ceremony was held in the ‘50s- The Ceremony of The Keys on Dec. 12, 1954. This impressive pageant culminated in the unlocking of the front double doors and the entry of the congregation into the completed sanctuary for the first worship service. Attention was next turned to the existing early buildings. Extensive remodeling in 1955 resulted in an enlarged Social Hall, a new kitchen and parlor, modernized offices, and a New England face lift for the Chapel.
The '60s
The main events in this decade centered around PEOPLE. This holds true even though in 1960 the back wing of the Educational Building was finished, in 1964 the inside of the Chapel was renovated, and in l964 and ‘69 the two parking lots were developed.
September 1962 saw the joyous welcome of Louis E. Vick as he was installed as Assistant Pastor. Five years later the congregation accepted, with deep regret, the resignation of S. Dean McBride who had guided the church as Pastor for 25 years. On May 31, 1967, Dr. McBride was named Pastor Emeritus by a grateful congregation.
With over 2,000 members, up-to-date business management was a necessity, so a Church Administrator was employed in 1967.
The last staff person to enter the history of the Pt. Loma Church in the ‘60s was Paul D. Clark. Installed as Pastor on June 30, 1968, Rev. Clark served until 1980.
The '70s
The key word for this decade is INNOVATION.
Innovation in worship came through the introduction of a less traditional, more informal early Sunday morning worship service in the Chapel.
Innovation in music was indicated by hiring the first full-time Minister of Music, Kathi Rundus, in 1978. This followed the retirement of J. Dayton Smith after his 22 year tenure as Choir Director. More musical innovations were the formation of a Handbell Choir and Recorder Ensemble.
Innovation in expression was fulfilled by a lay-readers group named “The Red Brick Drama Society”, and by the use of colored slides to augment Sunday sermons.
The final innovation of the ‘70s was the complete remodeling of the chancel area of the Sanctuary, allowing for better grouping of the choir, improved sight lines for the congregation, and more room for special events such as pageants, musical groups, weddings, baptisms, and reception of new members.
The '80s and '90s
Early in this period, 1981, Arthur F. Sueltz was called to the post of Pastor. This era could well be described as Ministry Growth: instrumental and vocal musical evenings brought enthusiastic response from the community; a learning center for toddlers was started and filled a need at one end of the age scale, while the Chatsworth Adult Center welcomes all seniors in the area to a weekly agenda of classes, crafts and fellowship; several AA chapters use the church as a gathering place and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts both have charters here.
All this, in addition to the regular church activities which include Jr. and Sr. High fellowship, Presbyterian Women, men’s and women’s prayer/study groups and small Covenant groups adds up to a concerned Christian community, aware of and filling needs at all levels.
A New Century
Art Sueltz retired in 2003 and was named Pastor Emeritus, followed by Gary Demarest as Interim Pastor. In May of 2005, the Rev. Dr. John Paul Powell became Senior Pastor. Under his leadership a greater sense of congregational participation has emerged with the adoption of a Mission Plan which includes the three GREATS: the Great Commandment to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and our neighbors as ourselves; the Great Commission to disciple the nations, going, baptizing, and teaching all the Christ commands; and the Great Ends of the Church as described in the Presbyterian Book of Order. Beyond these shared values, a greater growth in adult discipleship has emerged along with fuller participation in small groups, children’s and youth ministries, young couples, senior ministries and Sunday fellowship with Coffee on the Green. This decade may well be remembered as the Season of Renewal. Come join us and help us write the future of our church!