The Palo Cedro church has reason to celebrate. Originating as a “branch Sabbath school” of the Redding church in 1978, Palo Cedro, with its 116 charter members, began meeting in the local farmers’ grange hall in Palo Cedro, Calif. Today, Palo Cedro has grown to more than 600 members, and its worship building will soon undergo expansion.

“Starting out in the grange hall was exciting,” said Dave Sanders, the church’s first pastor. “We all had the pioneering spirit. It really taught us how to work together.”

There followed a series of new beginnings for Palo Cedro, as it became a company on Aug. 25, 1979, and was then officially organized on Dec. 15, 1979. Construction for the present church building began in May 1983, and the first Sabbath in the brand new sanctuary was on Aug.26, 1984. Thanks to the generous and sacrificial donations of early church members, the church facility was dedicated debt-free on Feb. 23, 1991.

“When Kari and I first came to visit Palo Cedro, we had been told that this was a ‘debt-free’ church, but what we found was community,” said Pastor Keith Jacobsen, the third pastor of the church.

Now in its 25th year as a church, Palo Cedro members wanted to commemorate the anniversary. “Having turned 25 years old, we decided to throw a party,” said Ron Mellor, current senior pastor. “On Jan. 15, 2005, the church celebrated the silver anniversary of God’s leading and blessing.”

Many individuals helped celebrate this occasion. Ricardo Graham, president of the Northern California Conference, was the featured speaker for the worship service. The four pastors who served during Palo Cedro’s 25-year history were also present for the event: Dave Sanders (1979-1982); Loyd Henderson (1983-1990); Keith Jacobsen (1991-1995) and Mellor.

After the church service, members and guests enjoyed a special luncheon and watched a slide show of the early history of the church, including the building of the church facility.

Today, Palo Cedro’s membership stands at 610 and offers two worship services to accommodate its members. Moreover, the constituent school, Redding Adventist Academy, is now a senior academy.

Throughout the years, 285 people have committed themselves to Christ by baptism at Palo Cedro. “Perhaps the most important aspect of the church has been the lives that have been touched and changed here at Palo Cedro,” said Mellor.