HISTORY
A LIGHT TO THE MONTEREY PENINSULA AND BEYOND
"It Can Be Done"
On January 3, 1954, Carmel Presbyterian Church was formally organized in Carmel, California with 70 charter members. The founding pastor, Reverend Dr. Harry Clayton Rogers, had moved out of retirement in San Francisco to Carmel. He was 76 years old at the time he sent this invitation to the 70 charter members:
“You and your friends are invited to be present, Sunday morning, January 3, 1954 at 11 o’clock, at the Carmel Woman’s Club, San Carlos and 9th Street, for the historic and spiritual service of the formal organization of the new church. Dr. Rogers’ first sermon will be ‘It Can Be Done’.”
Cornerstone
After purchasing the lots for $37,500 and braving seven public hearings, the Carmel Planning Commission granted a use permit for the property on the corner of Mountain View and Junipero on May 19, 1954. The site was dedicated a month later, followed by the building fund campaign, and, finally, construction in January 1955 by Comstock Associates. The estimated cost to build the original building was $102,870.
By then, the church had grown to 200 members who worshipped at the Carmel Woman’s Club during construction.
Rev. Dr. Rogers presided over a cornerstone-laying ceremony on May 8, 1955, and the sanctuary building was officially dedicated on September 11, 1955.
The Friendship Court
The Friendship Court, featuring stones from religious centers throughout the world, was built alongside the church during this time. A new education building and parking lot were added in 1964.
Pastoral Lineage
Rev. Dr. Rogers became Pastor Emeritus in October 1955 and Rev. Dr. Joseph Marquis Ewing was called to be the new senior pastor the following month. Rev. Dr. George Hunter Hall served from December 1962 to July 1971. Rev. Deanne E. Hendricks took over in December of 1971, followed by Rev. Dr. Harold N. Englund (from 1981-1985), Rev. Dr. John Snyder (from 1987-1990), and Rev. Dr. John Wilson (from 1992-1997). Rev. Dr. Robert Ohman then served as the interim pastor for over seven years (from 1998-2005). In 2004, Rev. Dr. Richard Duncan became senior pastor and served through October 2018, followed by Rev. Dr. Tim Yee from September 3, 2019, to January 1, 2023. On September 4, 2024, Rev. Dr. Jennifer Holz was hired as senior pastor and installed on November 3, 2024.
Light to Monterey & Beyond
In August 1956, President and Mrs. Dwight Eisenhower worshipped at the newly constructed church at the invitation of Dr. Rogers’ grandchildren (ages 5 & 7). Colonel and Mrs. John Glenn and their family worshipped at CPC on Easter, April 4, 1999.
Over the years, the stained-glass windows, the chancel cross and the carved panels on the church doors were added to the beautiful church setting. While many physical improvements have been made over the years, it is the warm and faithful CPC community that makes this church a light to the Monterey Peninsula and beyond.
Yellow Brick Road
Shirin Snyder, wife of pastor John Snyder, spearheaded the creation of a benefit shop with the goal of donating funds to worthy causes and those in need. In 1988, the Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop was established as a standing sub-committee under the authority of CPC.
A New Season
An extensive remodel of nearly the entire church campus was completed in 2014. The remodel included a sanctuary expansion, three large classrooms, a professional-grade kitchen, new bathrooms, a second floor of office spaces and a large multipurpose room under the sanctuary.
In August of 2014 after many years associated with the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) denomination, CPC became affiliated with the ECO denomination: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.
CPC Today
Today, CPC continues its long history of ministering to children, students and adults of various generations as well as serving people close to home and around the world through many dedicated missionaries, faithful Deacons and the Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop. The Elders, Covenant Partners, and Staff are excited to see what God has planned for the next season in the history of Carmel Presbyterian Church.
