Our History
In January 1987, correspondence began with the Presbytery of Sacramento requesting a church in Auburn. On Friday, April 24, the Auburn New Church Task Force of the Sacramento Presbytery met to look at property. The Chairperson of the Church Development and Strategy Committee was the Rev. Kenneth Winter, then pastor of Northminster Presbyterian Church.
The first gathering of people which would lead to the founding of Auburn Presbyterian Church was a Bible study on the book of Philippians which began in June. It was held in the conference room of the Placer Union High School District Office on New Airport Road. The Sacramento Presbytery chose to buy a five-acre parcel at the corner of Bell & New Airport roads. In July, the Rev. Stacy “Stick” Roberts, a retired pastor from the Nevada City congregation, came to guide a steering committee toward developing a church.
On Sunday, October 4, 1987 (World Communion Sunday), the first Sunday worship service was held at the Pamelot Dance Studio. Rev. Stick Roberts preached. His wife, Donna, played the organ. The Thursday night Bible Study continued.
On April 21, 1988, the Steering Committee voted to recommend Rev. Kenneth B. Winter, who had been pastor of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Carmichael since May 1982. His selection was announced at the Sunday Worship Service on May 8, and approved at the Presbytery of Sacramento meeting on June 7. His first official Sunday as pastor was June 26, 1988.
A balloon launching was held on Sunday, October 2, to celebrate the first anniversary of the first worship service. The first Come and See class was held in the Parish Hall at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Each family donated at least 20 food items to the Auburn Christmas Basket Program. The first Children’s Christmas Pageant was presented. In December, 1988, arrangements were made to rent the Masonic Hall as larger quarters were needed for the growing congregation.
In February 1989, the church moved to the Masonic Hall on Lincoln Way. A choir formed. Roseville Presbyterian Church gave choir robes. The tradition of putting flowers on the cross on Easter Sunday began at Easter 1989. Third graders received Bibles.
In 1991, the first Easter Sunrise Service was held on our church property. A wooden cross was put up on our property during the work party on April 27. By this time the purpose statement, "To Encourage, Equip, and Multiply Faith Followers of Jesus Christ" was established. Keenagers, a group for senior adults was formed, to encourage participation in the 9:00 A.M. Sunday School class, provide social gatherings, and serve as an outreach to others in the Auburn area.
On Sunday, January 19, 1992, Auburn Presbyterian Church was chartered. The Worship and Chartering Service was held at 3:00 PM, followed by a 5:00 PM supper at Pioneer United Methodist Church. The song written for our church by Dan Damon, “A Place of Meeting,” was sung.
At the end of March 1993, two services were initiated. The first Youth Confirmation Class was received into membership on April 10, 1994.
January 1, 1995, after the 10:30 A.M. Worship Service at the Masonic Hall, everyone helped move to Pine Hills Junior Academy. Work to clear the church property for building began.
In July 12, 1996, a modular office building was delivered to our church property. Many hands prepared the modular, built an entry deck, and painted it. March 27-28, 1997, our church office officially moved to this site from its location on High Street.
In 1998, there was a major capital campaign to fund a building of our own. The major highlight of 1998, however, was the celebration of Pastor Ken’s 25th Anniversary in the ministry and Ken & Sharon’s 25th Wedding Anniversary. Rev. Dr. Howard Rice, Pastor Ken’s close friend, preached from his wheelchair. The congregational gift was several stoles in the colors of the church year. A very special evening event was held.
In April, 1999, the Groundbreaking was held for our new building. We moved from Pine Hills Junior Academy into this church building after the Morning Worship Service on Sunday, September 3, 2000. We loaded everything in pickups and vans and proceeded in a caravan, escorted by the California Highway Patrol, to our new site. We met on September 10, 2000, for our first services in the new building. There was a dedication on November 12.
In 2002, Clem Street, intern from San Francisco Theological Seminary, spent several days a week sharpening his ministry skills. He concluded his time, was ordained, and began ministry as a pastor in Otis, Colorado. In November, 2002, we called our first Associate Pastor, the Rev. Brent Benton. He was installed on December 9. His ministry area was Youth and Families.
The Dedication Day for the church building was October 20, 2003. Following the service attended by leaders of the Sacramento Presbytery, former members, and others, we circled the outside of the building, laid hands on it and prayed.
In August 2005, the church picnic was also a farewell party for Brent. Several families had made a major commitment to cover his salary for several years in order to hire him. The hope, however, that the church would grow to be able to afford him after this did not materialize, so the church reluctantly made the decision to release him.
In 2007, Preston Saunders, the church's Music Director, was hired as Director of Congregational Development. Further development of what is being called Act II of the congregation’s development is underway.