The First 50 Years
1947-1997

1946
March 19 - About thirty people met at home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry West, 10869 White Oak Avenue, Granada Hills, CA, for purpose of organizing first church in Granada Hills, a community of 2,500. Rev. Elmer Jones, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of San Fernando, assisted the early planners.
April 21 - Easter Sunday - first church service at home of William Shallenberger, 11515 Shoshone, Granada Hills

1947
August 10 - Organizational meeting of Granada Hills Memorial Church (Community Presbyterian) held at Northridge Woman's Club [Canby & Gresham] with forty-six joining. Church named in honor of Henry West. Elders and deacons were elected, ordained, and installed; trustees were elected and installed. By unanimous vote, congregation extended a call to the Rev. Alfred McNair to become pastor at a salary of $2,400 annually.

Alfred B. McNair
1947-1954

Nov. 23 - Began to meet in recreation hall at Eilers' Ranch, 18019 San Fernando Mission Blvd., east of Aliso Wash, at cost of $10 per week. Rev. Leonard Eilers was an interdenominational evangelist known as the "Preaching Cowboy".

1948
March 2 - Charter membership closed on Easter Sunday with 72 members.
Oct. 10 - Congregation approved purchase of 3 1/3 acres on Zelzah Avenue for $9,500 with financial assistance from the Presbytery of Los Angeles of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

1949
Budget - $4,165, including benevolences.
April 17 - Easter - first worship service (outdoors) on Church's new property.
July 3 - Ground breaking for first church building; actual work began in October.
Dec. 6 - Preliminary meeting of Women's Guild; Norma Larson elected president at next meeting on January 12, 1950. Sunday School enrollment, exclusive of Adult Bible Class, -200.

1950
Feb. 4 - Moved into new building, dedicated on February 26; 115 members.
February - Henry West Chapter of Presbyterian Men's Council founded; Bob Lang elected president

1951
May - Organized Mariners, a club for couples.

1952
Average attendance at Sunday worship increased from 65 to 110; 325 pastoral calls were made.

1953
Jan. 4 - Ground breaking for addition of Sunday School classrooms to original building, using volunteer labor.
Jan. 15 - Ariel Catamas (now McCloud) began writing column, "The Christian Corner," for the Granada Hills Outlook. Eighty-two new members - largest growth in a single year to date. First church directory published.

1954
January - Women's Guild joined Presbyterial Society of the Presbytery of Los Angeles.
April 4 - John P. Lee called as pastor.
June - Westminster Youth Fellowship organized
Twenty-nine couples in Mariners, Average attendance of Men's Council - 35
Choir purchased 27 robes for $528
Sunday Church staff grew from 16 to 60 with enrollment of 504, ages 3 to 18
Active membership at end of year - 357.

Dr. John P. Lee
1954-1971

1955
February - Presbyterian men led by Dr. Lee attended Western Area meeting of National Council of Presbyterian Men in Sacramento.
March 8 - Church name changed to First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills.
May 2 - Troop 307 organized; as newest troop at summer camp, won Whitsett Broom, trophy for best and cleanest camp site.
Summer - Vacation Church School - 225 enrolled with over 40 adult helpers (approximately 100 children received perfect attendance awards).
August 30 - James Hulin called as first assistant pastor. Sixty-four infant baptisms.

1956
March - Brownie Troop # 1363 organized.
August 27 - Church was incorporated.
December - Building Fund Drive (pledges for three-year period); $156,000 pledged for new sanctuary; membership - 642.

1958
Mariners’ growth resulted in dividing club into Clippers and Schooners.

1959
March 1 - Ground breaking for sanctuary.
March 15 - Easter Service conducted at Devonshire Downs - 1,900 attended.
Elder Robert Hill elected commissioner to General Assembly from Presbytery of Los Angeles.

1960
January 3 - First worship service in new sanctuary.
Jan. 17 - Laying of cornerstone.
Feb. 28 - Dedication of sanctuary (cost $242,000, seats 636); community leaders representing civic, church, and school groups, and guest ministers from the Presbytery of Los Angeles participated in service.
April 10 - Palm Sunday - Dedication of pipe organ purchased from First Methodist Church of Santa Barbara and installed under supervision of Cecil Russell with help from many volunteers.
April 17 - Three Easter services with 2,500 attending.
April - Purchased four acres fronting on Devonshire St. for $57,000.
July 3 - Ordination of George (Kay) Miller, first ministerial student from our congregation; now living in Oklahoma, he was to retire from the active pastorate at the end of 1997.

1961
July - Senior Citizens' group organized and sponsored by Fellowship Committee.
October - First meeting of Singletons.

1962
March 11 - Organ and vocal recital dedicated Cecil Russell Memorial Organ.
March - Sally deHaan arrived from Holland, and her brother arrived in June. They had originally lived in Indonesia. The Church has resettled other refugees through the years.
Easter - Four services were held; three of which were over capacity.
Summer - First Youth Work Caravan to McKinleyville and Fieldbrook, CA, under the direction of Bob and Lu Cortright and Harold and TJ Landon. Our senior highs were known as GUPYs (Granada United Presbyterian Youth).
November - Began PJ's (Presbyterian Juniors), new children's weekday program to provide Bible study, fellowship, and projects for junior age children.
Nov. 25 - Ground breaking for administration and education building complex; general contract - $552,260; construction loan - $600,000; difference between amounts covered a number of items, such as architect fees, building permits. Membership - 1,725.
Parish Plan implemented under guidance of Dr. Herman Klemme.

1963
April - John Lee participated in 1963 Fil-American Teams of Testimony for two months in the Philippines; resulted in financial support of the ministry of Rev. Silvino, and Mrs. Clarita Rio. Clipper Club and Schooner Club reorganized into a Mariner Fleet with five ships - Navigators, Seafarers, Vikings, Voyagers, Beachcombers. Fellowship Committee -organized group for Young Married Couples, under the ages of 25.
May - Sold classroom building to Granada Hills Missionary Church for $2,000.
Fall - 689 families attended Sunday School Parent Orientation programs, registering 1,329 children through the eighth grade.
Dec. 1 - Dedication of administration/ education facilities. Lucille Cortright elected president of West Valley Council of United Church Women, 1964-65.

1964
Feb. 4 - Opening of Preschool with enrollment of 66 children, a director, two teachers and two assistant teachers.
May 17 - Dedication of John Lee Hall in recognition of Dr. John P. Lee's ten years of devoted service to this Church.
July - John Lee became moderator of Presbytery of Los Angeles (6 months).
October 4 - World-Wide Communion Sunday - 1,534 members and visitors served communion, highest number in history of Church. First pictorial membership directory published.

1965
Feb. 16 - John Lee elected commissioner to General Assembly. The Herman G. Klemme Memorial Fund established as a perpetual trust; income to be made available to students in need of tuition, books, camp and conference fees, or for any other experience that would further their Christian outlook or education. Manners sell Easter lilies and Christmas poinsettias to benefit this Fund.
October - Sunday School attendance on Worldwide Communion Sunday - 1,016.

1966
Easter - Four worship services attended by total of 3,244 persons.
June 13 - Synod of California honored Cortrights and Landons and the GUPYs for the work caravans to Northern California during the past four years. $33,354 pledged by church members to Fifty Million Fund to be used for capital requirements which cannot be met from the General Fund of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Membership - 2,074.

1967
Nov. 1 - Bethel Series Adult Bible Study program began with 270 enrolled in the first seven-week series.

1969
Spring - Dr. Lee granted three-month sabbatical leave; John and Miriam took freighter to South America.
September - Youth given permission to use Fellowship Hall for a Coffee House.

1970
Total Unified Budget: $212,975; Salary and manse: John Lee, $19,300, Pete Halsted, $14,450, Malcolm Lovell, $12,100; Benevolences: $22,350.
May - First issue of the celtic pres., monthly newsletter to reach, interest, and involve church members; last issue - October 1972.

1971
Feb. 9 - EARTHQUAKE!
Feb. 28 - Dr. John P. Lee accepted call as pastor of Rancho Bernardo Community Church, completing 17 years of ministry here.

1972
April 16 - Rev. Burton S. Smith called as pastor.
August - Reciprocal culture exchange program with youth in Cuernavaca, Mexico; they visited our Church in May 1973.
Twenty-fifth anniversary of church founding. Celebration held on September 24; dinner in Lee Hall, charter member Willard Daughtry as master of ceremonies for the evening program which included a message from Dr. John Lee.

Burton S. Smith
1972-1978

Sept. 2-4 - Approximately 140 attended first family camp at Camp Hemohme in Wrightwood on Labor Day weekend.

1974
June 17 - Sept. 9 - Summer intern program - seven college students were hired to assist with church activities for children and youth.
June - July - High Schoolers accomplish 1000-mile bicycle hike from Tijuana to Oregon border.

1975
September - Kindergarten added to Preschool.

1976
September - First grade added to Weekday School, with an additional grade added each subsequent year through the sixth grade.

1977
January - Elder Sara Bauer elected commissioner to General Assembly from Presbytery of San Fernando.

1978
July 16 - Rev. Burton Smith accepted call as associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church, San Diego.
Presbytery of San Fernando rented South Lounge for its office until June 1989 when the Presbytery Center was completed in Panorama City.

1979
June 10 - Rev. Stanley N. Jones called as pastor.
October - Mini-park became reality due to volunteer efforts of both church and Parent Association members.
Organ Fund Campaign Committee led by Dean and Mary Daily raised $97,278; contract for new tracker (mechanical action) organ signed with Rosales Organ Builders, Inc. of Los Angeles

Stanley N. Jones
1979-1991

1981
January - Elder Eugene Oberle installed as moderator of Presbytery of San Fernando and elected commissioner to General Assembly.
May - Stan Jones participated in Berlin Fellowship trip behind Iron Curtain. Solos organized - a group of singles meeting for study and fun.

1982
Graduated first class from Elementary School.
August - Korean Presbyterian Church of the Valley began to rent our sanctuary and several rooms.

1983
April 10 - Dedication service for new Cecil and Olive Russell Memorial Organ; renovation of sanctuary completed; total cost - $165,000.
June - Our silver chalice used in special worship service to celebrate reunion of the Presbyterian Church in the United States and The United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America in Atlanta, Georgia. Pastor Stan Jones was commissioner from Presbytery of San Fernando.
July - Jeff Powell was accredited visitor to 6th Congress Meeting of World Council of Churches in Vancouver, B.C.

1984
June - Sara Bauer elected to Board of Directors of Presbyterian Historical Society
Weekday School granted six-year accreditation by Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Established Pastors' Housing Fund.
August - Heather Fitzpatrick, Dick Loveless, and Betty Loveless, through Bridge People Program, participated in a vaccination program in Uganda and taught health principles to people in the backcountry, the first of a number of adult work caravans from this Church.
Forklifters started.
Began Kerygma Bible Study series.
Two devotional booklets - Lent and Advent - written by church members.
Dec. 9 - At Family Christmas Festival, Cathedral Choir premiered "Canticle of St. Augustine," composed and directed by Allan Petker, Minister of Music.

1985
Fifty-six participated in Annual CROP Valley Hunger Walk - largest number of any church in the Valley, and the most youth as well. (CROP -Communities Reaching Out to People).

1986
Nan Speth retired after 17 years as Director of Weekday School. Lydia Sewing Circle, begun in 1950, disbanded when longtime leader Esther Sackett moved from area.

1987
January - Sara Bauer installed as moderator of Presbytery of San Fernando.
Board of Deacons received Granada Hills Woman's Club "Merit Award" for support of needy families.
Aug. 8-22 - 25th anniversary of senior high caravans - over 60 youth and advisors worked at Faith Ranch in Ohio and then visited Presbyterian and American history locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington, D.C.; largest caravan to date.
May -Sept. - Fortieth anniversary celebration: display of articles, pictures, memorabilia on Mission Sunday on May 31 and a similar display at Northridge Park Festival in June. Organ and Gloribell Choir and Ensemble Concert on June 7. Guest preachers with receptions in Lee Hall: June 28 - Rich Gantenbein; July 13 - Malcolm Lovell; September 13 - Burt Smith; September 27 - charter members Lily Gurnee and Willard Daughtry reminisced about early days of Granada Hills and the Church; John Lee and Stan Jones shared the pulpit.

1988
January - "Restoring our Heritage" campaign - $533,000 pledged to refurbish church facilities and to help start new churches in the Presbytery.
Computer system installed in church office.
Ninety-one pints of blood donated to Red Cross.
Started to feed homeless at Hansen Dam on Sundays.
July - Seven women attended first Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women at Purdue University; Sara Bauer elected Churchwide Historian.
Nov. 20 - First Alternative Christmas Market raised $6,000.

1989
Jennifer Garpner served as Synod Youth Delegate for planning next National Youth Triennium.
Sept - Celebrated Stan and Louise Jones' 10 years of ministry with us. Installed illuminated sign on front lawn (from Heritage Funds).

1990
November - Organ concert to celebrate Bryce LaMotte's 25 years as church organist.
Dec. 9 - Dedication of first stained glass window, "The Baptism Window," in memory of Paul Toth.

1991
February - Rev. Stan Jones concluded his ministry here as pastor and became interim pastor of University Presbyterian Church in Tempe, Arizona.
Finished last major Heritage project.

1992
Sept. 13 - Forty-fifth anniversary celebration with special guests John and Miriam Lee; anniversary offering ($2,685) given to Presbytery of San Fernando's mission outreach, Proyecto Esperanza; Hurricane Andrew victims and hunger relief in Somalia.

1993
Jan. 17 - Rev. James K. Sillerud called as pastor.

1994
Jan. 17 - EARTHQUAKE! Church property spared major structural damage; except the organ; repairs were completed by yearend. Worshipped in Lee Hall for seven weeks following earthquake. Red Cross Service Center set up in Fellowship Hall

James K. Sillerud
1993-Present

Preschool celebrated 30th birthday.
Sara Bauer elected moderator of Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery for two-year term.
Dropped membership in National Presbyterian Mariners and dissolved Fleet Board, but two ships remain active at the Church.
Oct. 30 - Rev. Barbara LeFevre called as associate pastor (first woman installed as pastor at this Church); led successful women's retreat in October 1995.

1995
Mar. 24-26 - Intergenerational mini-caravan to Casa de la Esperanza Orphanage in Tijuana.
Oct. 1 - John Lee was guest speaker at Stewardship program for 1996 campaign.
Nov. 5 - Organ concert in recognition of Bryce LaMotte's 30th year as organist and organ rededication celebrating rebuilding organ after earthquake.

1996
April - Mission Emphasis Month culminated in first annual Labor of Love Sunday on May 5 with 109 church members participating in an afternoon of mission work assignments at seven local mission projects.
May - Scrip program (shop with gift certificates and Church receives a percentage donation from the retailer on each purchase) started to fund sanctuary sound system.
Fall - Club 45, a new program for fourth and fifth graders meeting on Sunday mornings with monthly fellowship activities.

1997
April 27 - 35th anniversary of youth caravans recognized during Sunday worship.
June - Amy Pennington attended General Assembly as a Youth Advisory Delegate from Presbytery of San Fernando.
July - Andrew Seely attended Presbyterian Youth Connection, "Connection '97," as delegate from Presbytery of San Fernando.
August - Latest adult mission trip to build women's shelter in the Philippines.
Aug. 10 - On this EXACT ANNIVERSARY DATE of our church founding, 1947-1997, Dr. Duane A. Walker, former assistant minister, shared his memories in his nostalgic sermon, "Reflections on our Journey."
September - Began Weekday School expansion with addition of second kindergarten class.
Fall - Chancel redesign project completed with funds given in memory of Marvin Top and through the efforts of many volunteers; new sanctuary cross given in memory of Lyman Lance; new sound system installed.
Sept. 21 - HALLELUJAH! Fiftieth anniversary achieved and celebrated: September 21
Nov. 9 - Homecoming Sunday and Night Blooming Jazzmen concert in afternoon; Sunday, October 12 - All Church Picnic & Ice Cream Social in Minipark; Anniversary Weekend: November 8 - Concert of church musical talent in afternoon; historical photo display; banquet in Lee Hall followed by program with reflections from John Lee, Burt Smith, Stan Jones, and Jim Sillerud. Worship celebration on November 9 with all pastors participating, including Barb LeFevre, followed by reception in Lee Hall.