Grace Presbyterian was founded in 1957 and has faithfully served our community for over 60 years. From meeting in living rooms to building the campus we enjoy today, our history is a testament to the dedication of our members.
Early in 1956, a group of Presbyterians in Lodi decided it was time to establish a new church. After meeting in various homes and the old Shewan & Jones winery, 116 charter members officially established Grace Presbyterian Church on September 29, 1957.
Under the leadership of Rev. Ward Murray, the congregation purchased a five-acre parcel at the corner of Mills and Pine. Ground was broken for the sanctuary in January 1962, and the first service was held on July 8th of that same year.
As the church grew, so did our vision for the community. In 1980, we broke ground on “Grace Hall,” a multipurpose building designed to serve families. This expansion allowed us to open Grace Presbyterian Preschool in September 1982. Today, we are proud to see second-generation students attending our school.
The sanctuary was remodeled and dedicated in 1984, followed by the installation of our 12-rank Austin pipe organ in 1989. For over 30 years, under the long-term leadership of Rev. Dr. David Hill, Grace flourished with new missions, children’s activities, and a “Debt Free in ’93” campaign that paid off the church’s loans in full.
In April 2019, we welcomed Pastor Steve to lead Grace into its next chapter. While we honor our rich history, we are focused on the future — planting seeds of God’s love throughout Lodi and beyond.
