The Church Building's 30th Anniversary

From the "Lifestyles" section of the Friday, October 4, 1996 edition of the Daily News-Sun:

Presbyterians mark 30-year milestone

Celebration heralds ecumenical sharing

By J.J. McCORMACK
Senior staff writer

The spirit of ecumenical sharing on which First Presbyterian Church was built will resound when one of Sun City's earliest congregations celebrates the 30th anniversary of their house of worship.  The anniversary marks the dedication of October 16, 1966, of the church at 12225 N. 103rd Ave., adjacent to Sun Valley Lodge.

Early church members borrowed space in Fairway Recreation Center for their first worship service in February 1963.  Lutherans and Episcopalians lent other necessities such as an organ and communion dishes.

Three and [a] half years later, the church with its signature weather-vane-topped steeple was dedicated.  The 5-acre church site is on 103rd Avenue adjacent to Sun Valley Lodge.

Ecumenical clergy from around the Valley have been invited to a First Presbyterian Church anniversary event Oct. 19 featuring a talk by the Rev. Dr. George Docherty, retired minister of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C.

Besides being influential in Washington D.C. political circles, Docherty was active in the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements of the 1960s.  He will share with the ecumenical clergy and is slated to be the guest minister for both the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. worship services in First Presbyterian Church on Oct. 20.

The church's 30th anniversary weekend also will feature a dinner banquet on Oct. 19...

To be continued.