Village Covenant (CA) Marks 50 Years of Ministry

Former Pacific Southwest Conference Supt. John Notehelfer was among the guests at the event, which included 350 in attendance, said office manager Linda Bartolf. Former pastor Donald Bowers preached during worship services. Also present was Mayor Cliff Hamlow of Glendora (a nearby suburb), a longtime member of the congregation who lives nearby.

An historical slideshow of the past 50 years was shown both during worship services and during the luncheon. Games were available for children at lunchtime and a vintage car show was part of the afternoon's activities. A car club in the area brought some of the vehicles and others in the congregation had older vehicles to show off as well.

Started in October 1954 under pastor Edward Dunn, Village Covenant had its first worship service under a tent in Covina. Early church services were also held in a private home, an orange grower's warehouse and at California Baptist Seminary. By 1956, however, the church became a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church and had its own facility in 1957 when Melvin Dahlstrom was pastor.

Bowers and Robert Nelson were integral in the merger of Village Covenant and Community Covenant Church in nearby Monrovia - on December 1, 1974 – and the church's current facility was dedicated on October 22, 1978. It is now averaging about 225 in worship attendance.

Village Covenant is compiling a memory book and is still interested in submissions. To send information or greetings, call Bartolf at 626-335-4013 or email her at villagecovenant@juno.com. To learn more about Village Covenant and its ministries, visit the church website at www.villagecovenant.com.

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