ST. MARK'S TO CELEBRATE 5 DECADES IN VAN NUYS.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

VAN NUYS - From a humble start in which worship services were held in a barn, St. Mark's Presbyterian Church in Van Nuys reaches its 50-year milestone Sunday.

Don Baker and his wife, Ruth, have been charter members since the very beginning.

``We answered a knock on the door from a young seminary graduate who was asking if we would like to help start a Presbyterian church in Van Nuys,'' Baker said. ``I was an elder at a Presbyterian church in southwest L.A. before we moved here in 1950. We had been attending other Presbyterian churches. But we said yes to him.''

Baker recalled that an actor had owned the newly formed church's rustic location. The former horse property was located at the corner of Sherman Way and Louise Avenue, then a dirt road. There was a new housing tract with about 500 homes. The area was surrounded by orange and walnut groves.

``At one time we had three worship services and over 200 kids attended Sunday school,'' Baker said.

Elsbeth Osborne taught one of those Sunday school classes when she was a member in the 1950s.

``I taught the Sunday school class for the 4- and 5-year-olds. There were about 50 children in my class because the neighborhood abounded with children,'' said Osborne, who has lived in Reseda since 1920. ``It was wonderful to have services in the barn. It was cozy and always full of people. It had pretty good acoustics, too.''

As with many Valley churches that boomed in the 1950s and 1960s, St. Mark's has had to deal with the ups and downs of membership over the last decades.

``Things changed. Mothers went out working. Now both spouses are working, and come the weekend there are chores and errands, and no time for church,'' Baker said. ``But going to church has given me strength and faith that you need in this day and age. You have to have a strong belief in God. You can't do it alone.''

The Rev. Darrel Meyers has seen both sides of the membership ledger. He was the assistant pastor, specializing in youth activities, from 1959 to 1963. He was called back to St. Mark's 3 1/2 years ago.

``This is a compassionate and open church. There's a sense of family and caring. It's a small congregation right now, but almost all of the members are active in church programs. The longevity of St. Mark's is due to the determination of those people and our involvement in meaningful work in the community,'' Meyers said.

Two of the ongoing outreach programs that Baker and Osborne are proud to play a part in are the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and aid to the homeless.

Baker helps coordinate the set-up for the 15 AA groups that meet at St. Mark's. Osborne lends a friendly and sympathetic ear to those who come for the home-cooked meals served once a month to the homeless. She also entertains by playing the piano.

The dream that many members of St. Mark's share is to be able to hire a youth director. The church would like to provide a safe after-school program where neighborhood kids could get help with homework and play basketball.

As St. Mark's enters its golden years, the current members hope to see more people join them in worship and service to the neighborhood.

``I do believe that churches have a spirit. The people here have had a commitment to keep the church going. There's a wonderful spirit here that wraps itself around you,'' said Eugene Lee, an elder and a member for six years.

Dorothy Jorgens, a member since 1954, said that a good reason to check out St. Mark's now is to hear Meyers.

``He's excellent. And the members are so caring and sharing of their time. We're a small group but we're not closed off to others,'' Jorgens said. ``In our own small way, we are a spiritual center here in the neighborhood.''

``They would meet some kindred Christian spirits here,'' Lee said. ``When I first came to the church, I didn't feel any pressure. My family and I were welcomed, and we've been going ever since. At some churches it's a style show every Sunday. Or it's about the choir. It's the fellowship at St. Mark's.''

Joining in the Sunday celebration will be two former pastors of the church, the Rev. Walter Robie and the Rev. Peter Del Nagro. Jerry North, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of San Fernando and the Rev. Donald Smith, associate executive of the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii, will also attend.

Former choir director George Attarian will lead the 50th anniversary choir. A lunch and program will follow the service.

The Rev. Darrel Meyers will deliver the message ``Someone Called'' at the 10 a.m. Sunday service. St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 17251 Sherman Way, Van Nuys. Call [phone].

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Photo:

Don Baker, left, Elsbeth Osborne, the Rev. Darrel Meyers and Dorothy Jorgens will be on hand Sunday to help St. Mark's Presbyterian Church's 50th anniversary in Van Nuys.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer