A document going up in smoke brought smiles of gratitude on Thanksgiving Day, 2003, at the Central Filipino Church, when leaders, in a joyful and touching ceremony, burned mortgage papers.

Ulysses M. Carbajal, M.D., chairman of the Mortgage Pay-Off Plan Committee (MPOP), and George Atiga, director of Pacific Union Conference Asian/South Pacific Ministries and earlier MPOP chair, led in litanies of mortgage-paper burning and of dedication, respectively.

Starting with an ambitious dream in 1979, the original blueprints for the church had to be modified. At a crucial point, architect Velcy Abaracosa came to salvage the building project when it was at risk of being condemned by Los Angeles City Hall.

Despite financial setbacks, members would not give up. Under the leadership of Pastor Simeon Rosete, Phase I of the construction program was completed in December 1991, and formally inaugurated on April 12, 1992. Phase II was finished in 1994 under Pastor VicLouis Arreola’s administration.

Dr. Eliseo Bautista undertook the work of paying off a $1.8 million loan from the Pacific Union. However, his sudden death in a Paris accident left a deep void that lasted for a long while.

In 2000, with $700,000 still be raised, members invited Carbajal to bring the program to a successful termination and with Rosete's assistance.

“I thank God for giving us the faith and energy to construct our house of worship and to pay off the mortgage loan,” said Carbajal. “I salute the 14 band leaders who worked to erase all indebtedness. Ultimately, it was the members of the church who rallied to make ‘CFC Debt-free in 2003.’ We have every reason to rejoice on Thanksgiving Day!”

During the campaign to pay off the large loan, a large thermometer-style poster charted the income.

“It was a pleasure to watch the progress each Sabbath,” reports Carbajal, “and in October, Pastor Rosete gladly announced that the goal had been surpassed. Thanks be to God and to Him be all the glory!”