Taking New Ground: 1954-Today

The Centennial Celebration

SRCC's centennial celebration occurred at a critical juncture of the history of both the church and nation. The post-WWII baby boom was at its zenith in 1954, fueled by a vibrant economy and general prosperity. Santa Rosa was growing rapidly, clearly now the economic and cultural center of California's north coast.

A New Location for the Church

After Howard Stansbery became pastor, it became increasingly clear that the venerable Ross Street sanctuary was becoming a major problem for the growing congregation. Always small, drafty, and admittedly a firetrap, the beautiful old edifice was at the end of its useful life. The caretakers were weary of trying to control the rats and bats, and city officials were putting pressure on the church board to do something.

Congregational growth was another factor. Pastor Stansbery was a vigorous evangelist with a personal goal of 100 new members yearly which was nearly always realized. With a clear need to act, the board (including Milton Wiemeyer, who was chairman at the time) purchased a large lot in 1950 for $10,000 to build a new facility.

The elders then dedicated themselves to putting together a building plan, fundraising, and seeking volunteer commitments, which culminated in June of 1953 with ground-breaking and the start the "barn raising" of what is the fellowship hall. The new building was sufficiently completed to host the celebration on October 17th, 1954, and was fully occupied in early 1955.

Moving into the 1960's

As America and Santa Rosa moved into the 1960's, the era of good feelings, prosperity, and stability began to erode from the pressures of guerrilla war, presidential assassination, racial unrest, a widening generation gap, and radical cultural movements. Some in the church began to question the effectiveness of the status-quo and old traditions, and yearned for fresher experiences with God. Yet the congregation worked together to finalize the building plan developed in the 50's and in 1966 the modern A-frame sanctuary that we use today was completed, finishing the Pacific Avenue complex. This building remains a great gift to today's church membership from the last generation.

The 1969 Earthquake

Interestingly, today's sanctuary also survived a major earthquake like the Ross Street building. In 1969 a 6.1 quake struck Santa Rosa, and though not nearly as catastrophic as the 1906 quake, it caused major damage to the downtown area. The quake struck during choir practice and those in the building remember watching the long hanging lights in the sanctuary swinging wildly.

New Direction and Leadership

Once the building program was complete, the church elders began to consider new direction and pastoral leadership. One of the members of the pastoral search committee happened to hear about a "Deeper Life" meeting in Modesto, and when he investigated, was intrigued by the speaker, Loran Biggs. The committee subsequently asked Loran to lead a similar conference at SRCC, which proved to be unexpectedly successful, with 105 of those attending dedicating themselves to a more committed Christian lifestyle. This convinced the elders that Biggs was the man to take the church to a new level, and they pressed him to accept the pastorate. Loran wasn't interested, but not wanting to miss something the Holy Spirit could be directing, he decided to put out a "fleece" as Gideon had and put together a list of demands that he felt would be impossible for the board to accept. To his amazement, the board accepted the entire list and Biggs believed that God must be calling him to SRCC. In January, 1969 he preached his first sermon as pastor of the church.

Loran was an agent of change, although he believed in treating those who disagreed with him respectfully. He preached an uncompromising message of salvation by grace, and was also a charismatic who taught on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. He did not make wholesale changes quickly, but did reform the worship services to a more open and upbeat style. He especially encouraged more warmth and fellowship among those attending. Some who desired to maintain traditional forms of worship and direction established Rose City Christian Church (today's Westview Christian Church). Church attendance under Loran's leadership increased as a number of younger families and singles joined. A new feeling of joy and renewal permeated the congregation, which was becoming quite diverse in age and background.

Growing Through the 1970's

The middle and late 1970's were a fertile period for Christianity in Santa Rosa. Besides the changes at SRCC, other local groups were prospering and growing. With American culture seemingly in malaise, spiritual hunger was strong, and evangelism was exploding. The "Jesus Movement" revival among young Americans was at its apex, and a new "bluejean casual" faith was catching on.

Christian education expanded greatly, with several Christian Schools starting, including Santa Rosa Christian School which used the education wing at SRCC for several years before buying its current facility on Wright Road. Loran Biggs had a great desire for Christian unity (much as the early Campbellites), and met and worked with a number of other church leaders in the area. SRCC was looked at as an example of a church that had successfully adapted to cultural change, being held in high regard by many in the community.

Moving Forward with Positive Change

By 1975 one particular relationship Loran had developed became increasingly significant; he had met and greatly admired Dennis Peacocke, a former Berkeley radical who had a powerful conversion and felt drawn to ministry in the counterculture of the day. Peacocke had formed "His Name Ministries", composed primarily of ex-hippies and disaffected young people who came to Christ and were attempting to reach others with a radical faith. Dennis was a gifted Bible teacher and had ties with a large number of leaders in the Jesus Movement. During the 80's he was a link to many national charismatic and shepherding movement leaders such as Bob Mumford.

Dennis appreciated Loran's success in leading SRCC into positive change, and introduced him into his circle. Loran invited Dennis to work with his leaders and preach periodically. In 1976, when His Name was no longer able to lease the building they had used for worship, the SRCC elders invited them to utilize the fellowship hall for their Friday night worship meetings, led by Pastor J.R. Young. Dennis Peacocke worked closely with other area congregations as well, including College Street Fellowship in Healdsburg, headed by Jerry Hodges, which shared an historical link with SRCC as an original Campbellite congregation in Sonoma County.

A New School and New Ministries

During the period of the late 70's and early 80's, more emphasis was given to personal spiritual growth and relationships. Loran, along with Assistant Pastor David Mitchell and newly hired Youth Pastor Steve Marshall, instituted small group meetings at which these discipleship principles could be worked on. The pastors themselves attended discipleship training given by Peacocke and his associates. Bonds between leaders of His Name Ministries and Christian Church grew with mutual support. In 1979 the two churches jointly started a K-12 Christian school, Covenant Community School, housed at the church, with both groups supplying staff, funding, and children.

At this time Loran Biggs felt that with the emergence of so many young leaders in the church, he could step aside as senior pastor to focus on a broader teaching ministry and individual counseling. His associate David Mitchell became pastor. With the ministry expanding, David's father Tom was added to staff, founding the Young At Heart ministry for seniors. Ken Wiemeyer, a life long member and long term Elder, was brought into full time ministry.

Merging the Two Churches

The early 80's were a time of spiritual and numerical growth for Christian Church. Yet growing national and local concern over shepherding and discipleship practices caused the leaders to reassess direction and priorities. Then in the summer of 1983, Dave Mitchell resigned. Ken Wiemeyer was chosen as senior pastor. He and the leaders offered stability in a time of potential unrest. The ties to His Name Ministries, now named Christian Covenant Community, remained strong. College Street Fellowship had ceased meeting, joined in and added their flavor to the mix. Beyond the unifying work of the school, the members and leaders of both churches shared in other ministries and bonds grew deeper.

A rather radical idea grew in the leadership; was God leading toward a merger? The possibility was presented to both bodies with a surprisingly strong "Yes!" response. So in the spring of 1985 two churches that were at one time very different became one and retained the Santa Rosa Christian Church name. J.R. Young, respected by all, was chosen to take the leadership reigns of the unified fellowship. The merge worked well, and with a combined staff of SRCC and former Christian Covenant Community elders, the church experienced growing affluence and stability.

Changes in the 1990's

The long-term relationship with Dennis Peacocke and his ministries was challenged in 1993. Church elders and Dennis increasingly held differing views of leadership, practices, and priorities for Christian Church. Regrettably, these differences lead to a parting of ways, causing some to remain with Dennis or find other places of worship. As hurts began to heal and the congregation started looking forward again, it became clear that a group of leaders and families yearned for new beginnings and ministry challenges. This culminated in a number of members being sent out to form two new missionary sister churches in Santa Rosa.

Warren Hays, an associate pastor for a number of years, was commissioned to start a new work that would primarily target the young and disaffected. Named Source of Life Christian Church, Warren and his group began to meet in 1997 and have grown substantially, with many young families as members. The next year Don Norris, a longtime leader from His Name days, was sent out with several members to start Lifeline, an evangelistic ministry to the poor and needy, which has had a significant impact working with this need in Santa Rosa.

Tracing Back to Our Roots

The late 90's and the new millennium have also seen progress in the old SRCC dream of Christian unity that is traceable all the way back to its Campbellite roots. J.R. was instrumental in forming the Pastors Prayer Fellowship, which now includes representatives from over 70 congregations. Many pastors and intercessors meet weekly for prayer and sharing vision on bringing true revival to the area. An increasing number of shared events are being carried out, with the goal of impacting the county for Christ.

Our Church Today

After serving in pastoral ministry for over 25 years, and guiding SRCC through several critical periods, J.R. Young chose to turn over the senior pastor position to Steve Marshall in 2002. J.R. continues to work with leaders worldwide, mentoring and teaching from his long experience. Steve, who has worked in the church since the 70s, embraces his commission to bring the church forward in the 21st century, into its sesquicentennial and beyond. Steve has let it be known that he intends to serve for many years, and with an excellent pastoral and ministry team in place, that is expected.