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History of La Mesa Presbyterian Church
How We Started
Ground breaking ceremonies were held November 28, 1948. Approximately 125 persons were present, attesting to a very decided interest in the proposed work. The first meeting in the partially completed building was a prayer service on March 20, 1949. The parsonage was completed early in April 1949. The American Mission Board appointed the Rev. Mr. Leon E. Raines, who arrived with his family April 18, 1949, to assume his duties as first pastor of the La Mesa Presbyterian Church. Dr. Gordon had watched daily the new church taking shape, and with the coming of the Rev. Mr. Raines he saw his hopes and prayers come into fulfillment. The Los Angeles Presbytery appointed the Rev. Mr. Leon Raines Moderator of the Commission to organize the La Mesa congregation. He was assisted by Elders Henry Millar, Huber Wittman, J. Howard Wylie and David C. Gordon. The church formally opened its doors on Sunday, June 26, 1949, with the Rev. Mr. Leon E. Raines officiating. The attendance that day represented 45 families. The church was formally organized as a congregation at the 11:00 o'clock worship service Sunday morning, October 30, 1949. On November 9, 1949, at the Congregational Meeting, the congregation unanimously adopted a Constitution and By-Laws calling for a Session of eight Ruling Elders. In four short months following the formal opening in June, the church could see a steady growth.
The year 1955 was an outstanding one because of the completion of the new educational unit, which added so much to the efficiency of the work of the Church School. This addition was dedicated on June 12, 1955. The church school attendance increased as the new units were completed and the church membership reached 466. During the first seven years of the life of this church, notable progress was made both materially and spiritually. The Congregation had undergone a gradual transition from a community church to a Presbyterian Church.
To Be Continued: History is under construction ... |
