History of Park Boulevard Presbyterian Church

This year we are celebrating our 100th Anniversary!

Early 1900's

  • After San Francisco Earthquake, many moved to the East Bay
  • Rev. Charles L. Campbell (2 yr.) 1912-1914
  • First Sanctuary constructed
  • Rev. Frank Adams (3yrs.) 1914-1917
  • Rev. H. C. Shoemaker (1 yr.) 1917-1918

The 1920s: Prosperity and Growth

  • Dr. John Donaldson (4yrs.) 1919-1923
  • Lot purchased at Park Blvd & Hampel St.
  • Rev. Thomas Oliver (7yrs.) 1923-1930
  • Name changed to Park Boulevard Presbyterian Church
  • Weekly attendance of 200 and 400-500 in Sunday School

1930s: The Great Depression

  • Rev. Rollo LaPorte (7yrs.) 1930-1937
  • Board of Deacons established
  • Dr. Paul Goodwin (8yrs.) 1937-1945
  • Christian Education building

1940s-50s: World War II, Attack of Pearl Harbor; Korean War

  • Dr. Lorin Ridings(14yrs.) 1946-1959
  • Dr. Kenneth Boyd (2yrs.) 1946-1948 Associate Pastor
  • Rev. Vernon C. Richard (1yr.) 1948-1949 Associate Pastor
  • Rev. Benjamin Weir (1yr.) 1950-1951 Associate Pastor
  • Rev. Ward Murray (3yrs.) 1951-1954 Associate Pastor
  • Rev. Robert Morrison (5yrs.) 1954-1959 Associate Pastor
  • Membership 1000; Sunday School 641; started two services.
  • Voted to build a new, larger sanctuary.
  • New sanctuary built & dedicated

1960s: Civil Rights Movement; Berkeley Student Revolts, Vietnam War Dissent, Vatican II, Radical Catholic Church Reform

  • Rev. Ronald Ossmann (2yrs.) 1960-1962
  • Rev. Paul Gertmenian (3yrs.) 1961-1964 Assoc. & Interim Pastor
  • Rev. Thomas Trutner (4yrs.) 1961-1965 Assoc. & Interim Pastor
  • Dr. James Baird (5yrs.) 1964-1969
  • Senior activity center opened - Park Blvd Manor dedicated
  • Rev. James Armstrong (6yrs) 1964-1970 Assoc. & Interim Pastor

1970s: Jesus People Movement, Charismatic Movement, and Watergate

  • Rev. James Clark (7yrs.) 1970-1979
  • Brooklyn Presbyterian Church merged with PBPC
  • Rev. Michael Ladra (3yrs) 1972-1975 Associate Pastor
  • Reiko Lane (20yrs) 1975-1995 Music Director
  • James Warren (18yrs) 1977-1995 Organist
  • Rev. Charles Carlson (6yrs) 1976-1982 Assoc. & Interim Pastor

1980s: Inflation; The Cold War; Loma Prieta Earthquake, Pornography, Abortion, Gay Rights

  • Dr. Robert Coppock (1yr.) 1981-1982
  • Dr. Ronald Thompson (8yrs.) 1983-1991
  • Rev. Herbert Tweedie (12yrs.) 1982-1994 Parish Associate
  • Rev. Jeffery Bridgeman (7yrs.) 1983-1990 Associate Pastor
  • 1986 Church parking lot opened
  • Rev. Ben Weir freed from captivity in Lebanon
  • Rex Treat, custodian 1986-1999; returned Dec. 2000 – present

1990s: The Fall of Communism; dot.com boom, Radical changes in worship styles

  • Rev. Carl Hofmann (10 years) 1992-2002
  • Rev. Alvin Koons (3yrs) 1994-1997 Pastoral Care
  • Sue Tania Wichelman (3yrs) ’95-’97,’99 Interim Worship Director
  • John Elving (1yr) 1998-1999 Worship Director

    Significant developments and events at PBPC in the ‘90s:

  • Strong Session leadership and discipleship under Carl’s direction
  • Blended worship service, modification of the chancel
  • “After 50 Years, Remembering the Holocaust”- a 4 part class held at Congregation Beth Jacob & PBPC in 1995 - Ongoing work of repentance & reconciliation
  • Spiritual renewal; small groups; the Alpha Course; vision statement
  • Carl’s Sabbatical (3 months) Lay preaching & leadership team
  • Lynnette Smith, PBPC Youth Leader/Young Life, 1993 to 2000
  • Siri Griggs, Organist: 1997, Worship Director, Feb. 2000 to present
  • Dr. Bob Ross, Congregational Care: May 1998 to < 2005
  • Carol Taylor, Administrative Assistant: Feb. 1999 to present

21st Century: Terrorist attacks of 9/11, Barack Obama - First Black U.S. President Elected

  • Rev. Carl Hofmann (10 years) 1992-2002
  • Alex Butrin, Children’s Ministry Director: Nov. 2001-Oct. 2002
  • Jason Lokkesmoe, Youth Director: Feb. 2000-Feb. 2003
  • Angie Lokkesmoe, Children’s, Youth, and Family Ministry Director: Jan. 2003 to ???
  • Cynthia Andrus, Director of Children's Ministry: 2002? - 2006
  • Dr. George Gilchrist, Interim Pastor: 2003-2005
  • Rev. F. Christopher Gelini, Pastor: 2005-2010
  • Nick Tracy, Worship Director: 2005-2006
  • Siri Griggs, Worship Director: 2006-Present
  • Derek Blevins, Contemporary Worship Leader: 2007-2009
  • Rev. Margaret H. Gelini, Parish Associate: 2007-2009
  • Ginnie Daniels, Financial Manager: 2008-Present
  • Vernon Curry - Youth Director: 2009- Present
  • Dr. George Gilchrist, Interim Pastor: 2011-Present
Look & Listen Give & Take