“Our church is Christ centered and Bible based.”

Historical Time Line for Community Presbyterian Church of Lake Havasu City AZ

August 1966: First gathering of Presbyterians in Lake Havasu—group meets regularly in Lichtenberg’s home

January 1967: Dr. Lawrence Manross moves to town—works at the local bank and becomes our first part-time minister

Summer/Winter 1967: Crowded conditions force Presbyterians to move meeting site —church is chartered with 72 members on December 10, 1967

March 1969: New sanctuary completed on 4 acres given to the church by city founder Robert McCulloch—sanctuary, organ and choir robes dedicated

February 1974: Reverend Barrie Gray installed as first full-time pastor—educational building is completed

Fall 1976: Learning Place Preschool opened in our facilities and remained here for 19 years

Spring/Summer 1978: Bell Choir organized after bells were purchased

January 1979: Reverend Dick Mitchell hired as part-time pastor’s assistant—served about a year

November 1979: City conveys title of 5.29 acres of land known as the North Side Property to Community Presbyterian Church

Fall 1981: Retired Reverend Dale Brubaker and his wife, Catherine, settle in Havasu—Dale acts as consultant to congregation during our ‘RENEWAL’ in the 80’s

Fall 1983: Parish Assistant, Evelyn Bedell, enters San Francisco Theological Seminary and is ordained three years later at the age of 71

February 1985: Reverend Joseph Cejka is installed as associate pastor

August 1985: Barbara Wanland comes on staff as Office Manager

December 1985: Session votes to purchase new organ as part of our "RENEWAL’—under artistic guidance of Reverend Dr. Bob Swanson work on twelve apostles’ windows was begun by group of members and friends

December 1987: Church celebrates completion of ‘RENEWAL’ with new Christ window in sanctuary and a commitment to a new focus on Christ in this community

September 1991: Pastor Cejka accepts call to Exeter, CA—become a one-pastor church again

February 1992: Toby and Mark Mueller take on responsibilities for our Christian Education

December 1992: Church celebrates 25th anniversary with dinner and entertainment at Nautical Inn Convention Center

April 1993: Barrie and Ann Gray retire after 19 years of service at Community Presbyterian

June 1993: Reverend Michael Spangler comes as interim pastor—remains through February 1995—church enters a new era of depth and spirituality under Spangler’s leadership

July 1993: Toby and Mark Mueller leave for Louisville Seminary under care of Grand Canyon Presbytery and Community Presbyterian Church

July 1993: Sue Gilliam is hired as Director of Christian Education

January 1995: Presbyterian Community Park is dedicated on our North Side Property—site is used for Easter Sunrise Services, cookouts and community recreational needs

April 1995: Reverend Dr. Edward Pratt is called as new pastor—"Church Issues and Answers" Group leads congregation through mission, commitment and future study

June 1995: Fireside Room renovations begin and are completed by September

January 1996: Reverend Dr. Fred Malott is called as part-time Minister of Member Care—served congregation for two winters

January 1996: Renovations of Sunday School rooms are completed

May 1996: Mark and Toby Mueller graduate from seminary—are ordained in our sanctuary after receiving calls to Alabama

Fall 1996: Education building remodeled to meet ministry and mission needs—congregation works toward "New Beginnings"

November 1997: Winter visitor, Betty Morris, volunteers to serve church in professional, counseling capacity during winter months

December 2000: Dr. Pratt resigns for personal reasons

January 2001: Reverend Art Bell arrives as Stated Supply for 6 months

April 2001: Congregation votes to call a designated pastor—search for an interim begins—no designated pastor was available

September 2001: Reverend Allan Sturtevant is called by session as Temporary Supply Pastor—served in this position until Dr. Bybee arrived

March 2002: Sue Gilliam resigns as Director of Christian Education—volunteers fill the vacancy

Summer 2002: North Side Property is returned to the city

November 2002: Pastor Nominating Committee is elected and instructed to search for a permanent, full-time pastor for our church

October 2003: Reverend Dr. David Bybee is called to be our pastor—arrived with his family in November

Spring 2004: Projection system is installed in the church

September 2004: Barbara Wanland resigns after many years of service.

October 2004: Ellen Kendig and Heidi Bybee join the staff

November 2004: Session agrees to purchase of a newer organ

Currently: Session and pastor lead us as we focus our mission and ministry to glorify God while serving Him in our congregation and community

 

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