April 15 Today in OPC History

On April 15, 1941, First OPC, San Francisco was received into the Orthodox Presbyterian Church as a particular congregation with the Rev. Robert Atwell installed as pastor by the Presbytery of California. The Rev. Carl Ahlfeldt succeeded Atwell in 1943, and the average attendance at worship grew to around 200 people. However, difficulties arose in regard to a suitable meeting place as the congregation moved from renting an independent church building to an abandoned restaurant to finally purchasing a home in 1946 that was renovated for worship services.

From 1950 until 1972, First OPC was served by five different pastors, Edwards Elliott, Sal Solis, Robert Newsom, Al Steever, and Robert Abbot. In 1974, the Rev. Charles McIlhenny accepted a call to First OPC and would serve for thirty-one years as pastor. In 2010, the Rev. Glenn Ferrell was installed as pastor of First OPC.

Picture: Carl and Susan Ahlfeldt