::HISTORY@FPC::
The First Presbyterian Church of Fullerton was officially organized February 19, 1888. It was the first church of any denomination in Fullerton and the sixth Presbyterian church in Orange County. The first church building was completed in 1889 and was located at the corner of Pomona and Wilshire. The financial burden for its small group of members was too great and, in 1893, the building was sold to the Baptist Missionary Society, which agreed to its Presbyterian use on Sunday afternoons. Soon after, planning began for a new structure, and a new church building, located at Commonwealth and Malden, was completed in 1900.
As the membership and activity increased, so did the need for a larger church. In 1954, First Presbyterian moved to its present location, 838 North Euclid Street, and began worshipping in Fellowship Hall. Pastor Edward M. Cadigan had become the Pastor of FPC in 1951. Under his leadership, the membership grew to 2249, and the church programs were characterized by wholeness and completeness. Christian Education, Music, the Wedding Committee, Women's Fellowship, Mariners, every-member visitation, the annual budget, and Session meetings were some of the activities that were functioning and going well. A new sanctuary was dedicated in 1958, with a capacity of about 450. A Wicks pipe organ of 15 ranks was designed for the new sanctuary and was played for the first time on Palm Sunday, 1958.
Dr. Cadigan retired in 1961, and Dr. Ralph T. Haas was called as Pastor in 1962. Dr. Haas was admired as an eloquent orator and preacher, and he guided the church in its continued growth and commitment to the community. He retired in December 1977.
In 1978, we welcomed Dr. Donald S. Bachtell and his wonderful family. Dr. Bachtell was a very strong leader and a down-to-earth preacher. He excelled in his pastoral care and his love of people. Under his leadership, a building campaign began, known as Project '82, and our campus was enhanced and beautified. A second floor was added to the Christian Education Wing, the Church offices were remodeled and expanded, and the patio was improved and landscaped.
In January 1987, the firm of Abbott and Sieker was engaged to renovate and enlarge the organ. The decision of the congregation was to restructure the front of the sanctuary and to move the organ and the choir from the balcony to the Chancel. Funding was provided from individual pledges and memorial gifts. The organ, now a 34 rank instrument, was played in service for the first time on Pentecost Sunday, May 22, 1988.
Since Dr. Bachtell's retirement in 1997, we have been blessed with wonderful Interim Pastors who have kept our church strong and moving forward. Our members are very involved in doing God's work, in every respect. Our congregation was alive and well! In 2007 we began a capital campaign (The Legacy Campaign) to renovate our church campus - including the Fellowship Hall, Welcome Center, Chapel, Kitchen and landscaping throughout the campus.
Our Pastor Nominating Committee began been seeking a permanent Pastor in 2008. On September 21, 2008 we were privileged to hear The Rev. Duncan McColl preach, and he was unanimously elected by the congregation. The ministry of FPC began a new chapter as we welcomed our new Pastor/Head of Staff, The Rev. Duncan McColl, on November 1, 2008.
::HISTORY@FPC::
The First Presbyterian Church of Fullerton was officially organized February 19, 1888. It was the first church of any denomination in Fullerton and the sixth Presbyterian church in Orange County. The first church building was completed in 1889 and was located at the corner of Pomona and Wilshire. The financial burden for its small group of members was too great and, in 1893, the building was sold to the Baptist Missionary Society, which agreed to its Presbyterian use on Sunday afternoons. Soon after, planning began for a new structure, and a new church building, located at Commonwealth and Malden, was completed in 1900.
As the membership and activity increased, so did the need for a larger church. In 1954, First Presbyterian moved to its present location, 838 North Euclid Street, and began worshipping in Fellowship Hall. Pastor Edward M. Cadigan had become the Pastor of FPC in 1951. Under his leadership, the membership grew to 2249, and the church programs were characterized by wholeness and completeness. Christian Education, Music, the Wedding Committee, Women's Fellowship, Mariners, every-member visitation, the annual budget, and Session meetings were some of the activities that were functioning and going well. A new sanctuary was dedicated in 1958, with a capacity of about 450. A Wicks pipe organ of 15 ranks was designed for the new sanctuary and was played for the first time on Palm Sunday, 1958.
Dr. Cadigan retired in 1961, and Dr. Ralph T. Haas was called as Pastor in 1962. Dr. Haas was admired as an eloquent orator and preacher, and he guided the church in its continued growth and commitment to the community. He retired in December 1977.
In 1978, we welcomed Dr. Donald S. Bachtell and his wonderful family. Dr. Bachtell was a very strong leader and a down-to-earth preacher. He excelled in his pastoral care and his love of people. Under his leadership, a building campaign began, known as Project '82, and our campus was enhanced and beautified. A second floor was added to the Christian Education Wing, the Church offices were remodeled and expanded, and the patio was improved and landscaped.
In January 1987, the firm of Abbott and Sieker was engaged to renovate and enlarge the organ. The decision of the congregation was to restructure the front of the sanctuary and to move the organ and the choir from the balcony to the Chancel. Funding was provided from individual pledges and memorial gifts. The organ, now a 34 rank instrument, was played in service for the first time on Pentecost Sunday, May 22, 1988.
Since Dr. Bachtell's retirement in 1997, we have been blessed with wonderful Interim Pastors who have kept our church strong and moving forward. Our members are very involved in doing God's work, in every respect. Our congregation was alive and well! In 2007 we began a capital campaign (The Legacy Campaign) to renovate our church campus - including the Fellowship Hall, Welcome Center, Chapel, Kitchen and landscaping throughout the campus.
Our Pastor Nominating Committee began been seeking a permanent Pastor in 2008. On September 21, 2008 we were privileged to hear The Rev. Duncan McColl preach, and he was unanimously elected by the congregation. The ministry of FPC began a new chapter as we welcomed our new Pastor/Head of Staff, The Rev. Duncan McColl, on November 1, 2008.