First Meeting of the Presbytery of the West Coast, OPC held at Bethany OPC
April 1964, Page 61
First Meeting of Two Newly Formed Presbyteries
West Coast — Bethany Church, Stockton, welcomed the historic first meeting of the Presbytery of the West Coast (northern California, Oregon, and Washington) on March 11-12.
The honor of being chosen as the first Moderator went to Elder David L. Neilands, of Covenant Church, Berkeley. Mr. Neilands, a charter member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, was the first ruling elder to serve as Moderator of the old Presbytery and later of the General Assembly.
With the reception of three congregations the West Coast Presbytery now numbers 12 churches and one chapel (Eugene, Oregon).
The Modesto Chapel, under the ministry of the Rev. Thomas Champness as missionary-pastor, was received as a particular congregation.
The work had its inception several years ago as the result of the labors of the Rev. Jack Miller while he was a teacher at the Ripon Christian High School.
Further nurture came during the time that Mr. Miller served as pastor of Bethany Church, Stockton.
Members of the new Modesto congregation assisted members of Bethany in entertaining the presbyters.
Bethany's pastor is Dr. Gerald Latal.
Location: Stockton, California