Previous members and friends joined the current Fullerton congregation on May 20 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the attractive brick church and school at 2355 West Valencia Drive.

Morning services paid tribute to the late Albert Reiswig. M.D., who served his church and the community for many years. Gerald Penick, president, represented the Southeastern California Conference with greetings and the sermon.

In the afternoon, guests and members took the microphone to speak fondly of their growing-up years at the Fullerton church. One woman told of drifting away as a teen. When she returned, “all dressed up in a brown mini skirt, Cleopatra makeup and a chip on my shoulder,” she was met at the church door by several "older ladies" who hugged her and welcomed her back.

This is the spirit that has kept members. This is the spirit that draws them back.

The church’s roots reach back to 1912 when a company of believers led by Mrs. Janie Kimmons worshiped at a local YMCA. They soon moved to the Odd Fellows Hall and then to a Presbyterian church. Construction began in 1922 at the first Fullerton church on Chestnut and Santa Fe streets.

In 1931, evangelist John Ford baptized 189 members in a series of meetings that necessitated the purchase of the Methodist church on Pomona and Amerige avenues. The combined the membership of the Fullerton, Brea and Anaheim churches became the Tabernacle church. In 1937, R. A. Anderson, of England, added more members and L. R. Anderson had the church refurbished and dedicated.

Dr. and Mrs. Claude Steen purchased five acres of land in 1943 on W. Valencia Drive, future site of the Valencia Junior Academy and the present church and school complex. Groundbreaking for the new church took place on Nov. 8, 1964. The first services were held 40 years ago on May 21, 1966, with Donald B. Spaulding as pastor. The late John W. Toppenberg was pastor when it was dedicated on May 8, 1972. Now retired, Spaulding assists the church staff as an auxiliary pastor.