MARKING A GOLDEN DATE CANOGA PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CELEBRATES 50 YEARS.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

CANOGA PARK - Solid Bible teaching and preaching combined with adapting to the changing nature of the neighborhood have kept Canoga Park Presbyterian Church going strong for 50 years.

The congregation, whose members affectionately call their church a ``hospital for sinners,'' celebrates the golden anniversary of its founding on Nov. 13-14.

``I think this church has always had a vision and compassion to make an impact on the community,'' said the Rev. Jon Wilson, who has been with the church for almost five years. ``They have been a very hands-on congregation. The rescue mission, Rescate, an outreach to the poor and the unemployed, is a current example.''

The congregation gives a generous 10 percent of the church's tithes to missions, Wilson said. And while missions are often thought of as mostly overseas projects, Canoga Park Presbyterian doesn't overlook work on its own doorstep.

Rescate, for example, provides food, clothing and computer training for more than 100 needy people in the neighborhood. The church works closely with Comunidad Cristiana, a Spanish-speaking congregation that meets at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays and rents space to a preschool run by West Valley Christian Church.

The congregation has experienced the roller coaster nature of membership from the boom days of families in the late 1950s and 1960s to mature adults whose children have moved away and are now back again. Families with young children also have discovered the church.

``Half the church worked at Rocketdyne at one time,'' said Bob Huebert, who worked at Rocketdyne himself for 38 years before retiring. ``We have a very strong desire to perpetuate ourselves, to continue to exist. We're dedicated to the ministry of Jesus Christ and meeting the needs of our community for another 50 years.''

Debra Varner Paling made it a practice to attend the neighborhood church when she moved from a different area of the San Fernando Valley. She initially was drawn to Canoga Park Presbyterian by its music program, but eventually realized the church was filling a void in her life.

``I like a little church like this one because you're missed if you're not there (at a Sunday service) and the volunteer opportunities are boundless,'' Paling said.

``What a feeling of comfort I've had here. The people have been very warm and accepting of me. God is always there and he is the focus at this church,'' she said.

Canoga Park Presbyterian started in an adobe house that was once part of a poultry ranch on Vanowen Street, west of Canoga Park High School. The current sanctuary, featuring stained-glass windows, was completed in 1968.

``I think the church has been here for 50 years because the people view themselves as family members not church members,'' said Brad Elias, who recalled attending Sunday school in the adobe house and plays guitar in the church's praise band. ``Some people who taught me at Sunday school are still here and still act as if they're my mom or my dad. I can ask advice from them.''

``God's Plan for Your Future'' will be the message delivered by the Rev. Jon Wilson at 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at Canoga Park Presbyterian Church, 22103 Vanowen St., Canoga Park. A 50th anniversary program will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday and at the 9:30 p.m. Nov. 14 Sunday service. Call [phone].

Holly Andres, [phone]

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

The Rev. Jon Wilson, Brad Elias, Debra Varner-Paling and Bob Huebert, from left, will be marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Canoga Park Presbyterian Church on the weekend of Nov. 13-14.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer