Covenant News

Hilmar (CA) 100th Anniversary Celebration Draws to a Close

HILMAR, CA (November 13, 2002) - Hilmar Covenant Church completed primary 100th anniversary celebration events with a Homecoming weekend November 2-3. Approximately 600 individuals attended two worship services on that Sunday.

A centennial banquet was held in the grand tent of Holy Rosary Church in Hilmar, attracting about 400. On Sunday, a centennial pageant documenting the congregation's 100 years was presented during both morning worship services. Guests at Hilmar Covenant included Evelyn M.R. Johnson, superintendent of the Pacific Southwest Conference.

Hilmar Covenant began celebrating anniversary events last January as one of its previous pastors, Jim Hawkinson, executive director emeritus for the Evangelical Covenant Church's Department of Communication, was the guest speaker for a kickoff weekend. The congregation also performed a special Easter pageant in March and produced commemorative items for the 100th anniversary.

Hilmar Covenant Church is located in a central California community of about 4,000 people, about 100 miles east of San Francisco. It has an average worship attendance of 300.

The congregation celebrated its year-long series of events as part of the theme "Building for Christ: The Next 100 Years." The church has taken the theme to heart as it is undergoing a building program for a new Family Center. The congregation raised more than $1.4 million toward the $3 million project goal. National Covenant Properties is assisting the building project with a substantial loan. Construction will begin as soon as building permits are secured.

For more information about centennial events or about the commemorative items to mark the 100th anniversary, call pastor Bruce Metcalf at 209-668-0400.

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