| Copyright 2008 | First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes | 28 Moccasin Lane, Rolling Hills Estates, California 90274 | 310.378.1253 |
First Baptist Church
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| 28 Moccasin Lane, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 Phone: 310-378-1253 | Email: FirstBaptistPV@yahoo.com |
| Sunday Mornings at 11:00am |
The heart of
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is love...
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The First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes was established as a ministry of the American Baptists of the Southern California Baptist Paul
Kopp. The initial worship service on Sunday, October 13, 1957 was conducted by Rev. Carl Jennings at the Valmonte Elementary School on
February 20, 1959, are located. Rev. Jennings served the church as its first pastor during which time the church experienced significant growth
in membership.
Rev. Jennings was succeeded by the Rev Dr. Vincent Coletta who accepted the call on May 7, 1961. Dr. Coletta was our longest serving
pastor, serving 25 of our 50 years, retiring in August, 1986. In the 1960’s, under Dr. Coletta’s leadership. the church opened its fellowship hall
and other rooms to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit to over 60 youth. Dr. Coletta also served as the coordinator of the Palos Verdes Hot
Line for drug abuse.
The 1960’s were turbulent years. Not only in society as a whole, but in our church as well. As a result of deep seated differences regarding
social and other issues, the church experienced a split in 1964/1965 resulting in the loss of about one half of its membership. Just prior to the
split, the fellowship hall, now known as Calhoun Hall, was completed resulting in a $150,000 debt to the Convention. Difficult years followed, but
the church began to recover in the early 1970’s. Then massive lay-offs in the aerospace industry resulted in about one third of our
congregation having to move out of the area to find employment.
Through it all, Dr. Coletta kept the church moving forward. In the 1970’s the church sponsored bringing a displaced Vietnamese family to the
South Bay and helped them establish themselves. In 1979-1980 it was necessary to perform major repairs to Calhoun Hall because of soil
settlement beneath the foundation. The membership rose to the occasion and purchased church bonds to finance the repairs. In 1985 the
church entered into a use of buildings agreement with the newly formed Palos Verdes Baptist Church allowing them to share our facilities and
maintenance costs. They continue with us today as a growing church.
At the retirement of Dr. Coletta in 1986, Rev. Joe Bruner was called as our interim minister, the first of three ministries he would serve in that
capacity. Each time we needed an interim minister we requested Rev. Bruner since he was known and loved by all and had a proven track
record of keeping the church together. During the two year search for a new minister, Pastor Joe gave us encouragement and spiritual
nourishment.
Rev. Dr. Charles Molnar accepted our call effective September 1, 1988. He served the church with distinction and moderate membership
growth occurred and our building debt was reduced. He started a Men’s Breakfast the first Saturday of each month. At his retirement in 1993,
Rev. Joe Bruner was again called as interim minister.
Rev. Dr. Keith Hubbell began his ministry with us March, 1994. His was a productive ministry which was shockingly interrupted in June, 1996
by a diagnosis of prostrate and inoperable bone cancer. His health led to his resignation. Again we called Rev Bruner as our interim. Then our
prayers were answered. After surgery and treatment, Dr. Hubbell’s doctor declared there was no longer evidence of cancer. In the doctor’s
words, “What happened to you was miraculous.” At this joyous news, we extended a call again to Dr. Hubbell in late 1997.
In 1997 we were also blessed with $400,000 bequeathed to us through a charitable remainder trust by two beloved church members, Henry
(Cal) and Constance (Connie) Calhoun, who had entered the greater life. The fellowship hall now bears their name, Calhoun Hall in their honor.
In February 1998, under his leadership a Church Vision Committee was formed to develop a vision for the church that would promote spiritual
and membership growth. Our current Church Purpose Statement was authored by the committee which also made recommendations
accepted by the church to purchase a new Rogers organ and to conduct worship services with blended traditional and contemporary music.
After being blessed with his leadership for another three years, unfortunately, his cancer returned and he found it necessary to retire in January,
2001. He went to be with the Lord November 3, 2001. He is the only former pastor no longer alive.
Rev. Dr. Ted Bahu was called as our interim minister in February, 2001. He endeavored to make every facet of the worship service the very
best, starting with the sermon. At the beginning of his pastorate, the Sunday morning worship attendance was about 35 to 45 and at the end
of his pastorate it was 75 to 85. Through his prayer and his personal contacts he found a youth minister, Kevin Lines, which resulted in an
invigorated youth program. Dr. Bahu motivated us to improve our church buildings and grounds.
Rev Dennis Fevergeon was called to be our pastor in late 2002 replacing Dr. Bahu as interim pastor. Rev. Fevergeon persuaded Tom Nguyen
to be our youth pastor, replacing Kevin Lines who had resigned to teach school. Tom Nguyen continues in this capacity and our youth
program is growing significantly with many accepting Christ. Rev. Fevergeon started small groups to pray and study God’s Word and
organized our first praise band. He also initiated our conducting the worship service and support of the Beacon Light Mission in Wilmington. He
resigned in January, 2006.
After an investigation by the ABCPSW, Rev. Mark Lambert’s listening report concluded that “extreme and radical” measures were to be taken in
order to keep the church open and alive. Choosing to try ‘one more time’ and ‘not throw in the towel,’ the Rev. Dr. Matthew Smith was called
in February, 2006, as our Transformation Pastor at this most critical time of our history.
Over the past 18 months God has brought growth, baptisms and new members. Income has begun to rise as people ‘buy in’ to the changes.
These have been exciting and trying times because we are in a time of great change – literally rewriting the DNA of our church and seeking the
vision of God for our church. Hope is growing and there are many challenges. God’s people here are great and we serve a Mighty God! While
the verdict is still out, everyone has great hopes and prayers for the future.
Kopp. The initial worship service on Sunday, October 13, 1957 was conducted by Rev. Carl Jennings at the Valmonte Elementary School on
February 20, 1959, are located. Rev. Jennings served the church as its first pastor during which time the church experienced significant growth
in membership.
Rev. Jennings was succeeded by the Rev Dr. Vincent Coletta who accepted the call on May 7, 1961. Dr. Coletta was our longest serving
pastor, serving 25 of our 50 years, retiring in August, 1986. In the 1960’s, under Dr. Coletta’s leadership. the church opened its fellowship hall
and other rooms to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit to over 60 youth. Dr. Coletta also served as the coordinator of the Palos Verdes Hot
Line for drug abuse.
The 1960’s were turbulent years. Not only in society as a whole, but in our church as well. As a result of deep seated differences regarding
social and other issues, the church experienced a split in 1964/1965 resulting in the loss of about one half of its membership. Just prior to the
split, the fellowship hall, now known as Calhoun Hall, was completed resulting in a $150,000 debt to the Convention. Difficult years followed, but
the church began to recover in the early 1970’s. Then massive lay-offs in the aerospace industry resulted in about one third of our
congregation having to move out of the area to find employment.
Through it all, Dr. Coletta kept the church moving forward. In the 1970’s the church sponsored bringing a displaced Vietnamese family to the
South Bay and helped them establish themselves. In 1979-1980 it was necessary to perform major repairs to Calhoun Hall because of soil
settlement beneath the foundation. The membership rose to the occasion and purchased church bonds to finance the repairs. In 1985 the
church entered into a use of buildings agreement with the newly formed Palos Verdes Baptist Church allowing them to share our facilities and
maintenance costs. They continue with us today as a growing church.
At the retirement of Dr. Coletta in 1986, Rev. Joe Bruner was called as our interim minister, the first of three ministries he would serve in that
capacity. Each time we needed an interim minister we requested Rev. Bruner since he was known and loved by all and had a proven track
record of keeping the church together. During the two year search for a new minister, Pastor Joe gave us encouragement and spiritual
nourishment.
Rev. Dr. Charles Molnar accepted our call effective September 1, 1988. He served the church with distinction and moderate membership
growth occurred and our building debt was reduced. He started a Men’s Breakfast the first Saturday of each month. At his retirement in 1993,
Rev. Joe Bruner was again called as interim minister.
Rev. Dr. Keith Hubbell began his ministry with us March, 1994. His was a productive ministry which was shockingly interrupted in June, 1996
by a diagnosis of prostrate and inoperable bone cancer. His health led to his resignation. Again we called Rev Bruner as our interim. Then our
prayers were answered. After surgery and treatment, Dr. Hubbell’s doctor declared there was no longer evidence of cancer. In the doctor’s
words, “What happened to you was miraculous.” At this joyous news, we extended a call again to Dr. Hubbell in late 1997.
In 1997 we were also blessed with $400,000 bequeathed to us through a charitable remainder trust by two beloved church members, Henry
(Cal) and Constance (Connie) Calhoun, who had entered the greater life. The fellowship hall now bears their name, Calhoun Hall in their honor.
In February 1998, under his leadership a Church Vision Committee was formed to develop a vision for the church that would promote spiritual
and membership growth. Our current Church Purpose Statement was authored by the committee which also made recommendations
accepted by the church to purchase a new Rogers organ and to conduct worship services with blended traditional and contemporary music.
After being blessed with his leadership for another three years, unfortunately, his cancer returned and he found it necessary to retire in January,
2001. He went to be with the Lord November 3, 2001. He is the only former pastor no longer alive.
Rev. Dr. Ted Bahu was called as our interim minister in February, 2001. He endeavored to make every facet of the worship service the very
best, starting with the sermon. At the beginning of his pastorate, the Sunday morning worship attendance was about 35 to 45 and at the end
of his pastorate it was 75 to 85. Through his prayer and his personal contacts he found a youth minister, Kevin Lines, which resulted in an
invigorated youth program. Dr. Bahu motivated us to improve our church buildings and grounds.
Rev Dennis Fevergeon was called to be our pastor in late 2002 replacing Dr. Bahu as interim pastor. Rev. Fevergeon persuaded Tom Nguyen
to be our youth pastor, replacing Kevin Lines who had resigned to teach school. Tom Nguyen continues in this capacity and our youth
program is growing significantly with many accepting Christ. Rev. Fevergeon started small groups to pray and study God’s Word and
organized our first praise band. He also initiated our conducting the worship service and support of the Beacon Light Mission in Wilmington. He
resigned in January, 2006.
After an investigation by the ABCPSW, Rev. Mark Lambert’s listening report concluded that “extreme and radical” measures were to be taken in
order to keep the church open and alive. Choosing to try ‘one more time’ and ‘not throw in the towel,’ the Rev. Dr. Matthew Smith was called
in February, 2006, as our Transformation Pastor at this most critical time of our history.
Over the past 18 months God has brought growth, baptisms and new members. Income has begun to rise as people ‘buy in’ to the changes.
These have been exciting and trying times because we are in a time of great change – literally rewriting the DNA of our church and seeking the
vision of God for our church. Hope is growing and there are many challenges. God’s people here are great and we serve a Mighty God! While
the verdict is still out, everyone has great hopes and prayers for the future.
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