HISTORY OF THE BODEGA BAY UNION CHURCH
Prior to the first church being built in Bodega Bay, there was a Bible study in some of the local homes along the coast, possibly starting in the late 1920s. Guy Mann, son of Guy and Ruby Mann, local ranchers, remembered some of those meetings being held at their home at the ranch about 5 miles north of Bodega Bay (known as “Bay” in those days). Ruth Burke (McCaughey) also remembers attending those studies. The lessons were taught by Miss Buelah Balderie (later, her married name was Beeson). Mary May’s family moved to Bay in the late 1920s and also remembered attending the studies. She remembered the lessons being taught by Mrs. Harmon, “grandmother to the VanVicel children.” Mrs. May believes that the church was possibly built in the area as a direct result of the coastal Bible study women's group.
On April 19, 1932, Despard William Taylor, single, a local property owner, deeded a small piece of land to I.B. Raymond, D.G. Niel, et. al. as Trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Petaluma (the other Trustees not named on the deed were as follows: C.F.D. Burmiester, M.H. Gordon, G.W. Van Bebber, H.A. George, and N.B. Rundall). The property, 50 feet wide by 100 feet long, was located in the community of Bay. Within the next year, a church was erected on the property. Materials to build the church were donated by individuals and by the Methodist churches of Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Sebastopol. It was built by Jean Robertson, a local builder. Jean’s daughter, Jeannie, was the first one married in the little church in 1933. The church stood at that location until it was demolished in February 2006 to make room for the parking lot for the new church building.
Mrs. May remembered the following people being present for the building dedication in 1933: Mary May, her daughter, Dolores, Mae Wilson, Rose Linebaugh, Mrs. Harmon, Ivy Thomas, and possibly Ruby Mann. There were others, but she didn’t recall them. Very few people used the church, so within a few years, the doors were closed and the church was not used.
In early 1937, a young missionary with the American Sunday School Union by the name of Carl Jungkeit (pronounced “young kite”) and his family was approached by Mrs. Rose Linebaugh about starting a Sunday School in Bay. Carl drove out to Bay and found the church. He wrote these words: "I found a little brown church sitting up above the town, but quiet and empty. Upon inquiring, I found that it was closed, even tho' it had been built in 1932... just five years before. I also inquired around about the ownership and got permission to open the doors and start a Sunday School."
Bay Union Sunday School was then organized on February 26, 1937, on a Friday afternoon. The “Union” in the name came from the American Sunday School Union. On that first day, there’re were 23 people present. The weather was cold and windy. Those present were: Mr. Snow, Mr. & Mrs. G. Allen, Mrs. May and her daughter, Dolores, Mrs. Blanche Pillow, Mrs. W.J. Robertson, Mr. & Mrs. Howard Risto, the VanVicel children, the McCaugheys granddaughter, Alice, of Bodega, Mr. & Mrs. August Jungkeit (parents of Carl Jungkeit), Mr. & Mrs. Carl Jungkeit, and their children, Dorothy and Dwight, and five other unidentified people. Mrs. W.J. Robertson was elected the secretary and treasurer. The Jungkeits volunteered to drive out and hold the service on Friday of each week. They did this for several years.
In these early years, there were a number of people who came and served in the church. From 1941 to 1944, Dr. Josephine Williams, a medical doctor from Eldridge, drove over each Sunday to conduct the Sunday School. In 1943, the town of Bay changed its name to Bodega Bay, thus the name of the Sunday School became the Bodega Bay Union Sunday School. In 1944, Ethel Teff started attending and became an active part of the church service for many years. On November 26, 1944, a young peoples society was organized with Miss Shirley Rhodes (later married Harold Ames) as president, Miss Ardel DeHaven as vice president, and Miss Glenice Ames (later married Earl Carpenter) as the secretary and treasurer.
The very first preaching service was established in September 1946 when Rev. George Allen agreed to come up each Sunday from Oakland to preach. His wife helped with the Sunday School teaching. It was also through Rev. Allen that pews were donated from the Baptist Church of Oakland. These pews were in the church for many years. It was also about this time that Mrs. Rose Gaffney started to attend the services, and helped whenever there was a need.
A number of pastors and other workers carried on the work in the church over the next few years. From 1947 to 1950, Rev. Elmer Burroughs and his wife were faithful workers, driving each Sunday from Petaluma. In 1950, Mrs. Norma Faught (married to Roy) began working in the church where she was a faithful worker for many years. In the early 1950s, several pastors filled the pulpit: Mr. Ernest Quaintance, Mr. Lyle Jeffers, Rev. Elmer Burroughs, Rev. Reuben Granlund and Dr. John Bain.
In January 1953, Missionary Carl Jungkeit was speaking at a Sebastopol church when he announced that the church in Bodega Bay needed help. Darrel and Margie Hurst were attending the service that day, and felt the call to go help in Bodega Bay. They arrived in the next few weeks and began work that lasted for several years. On their first Sunday, only seven people were present. They worked in the Sunday School and occasionally Darrel had to preach from the pulpit when the pastor didn’t show up.
Shortly after the Hursts started attending, the congregation decided to incorporate as a church. The process was started and Bodega Bay Union Church was officially incorporated on June 25, 1953. The name “Union” in the name was taken from the missionary organization that started the Sunday School, the American Sunday School Union, an organization that has been in existence since the founding of our country (it was later called American Missionary Fellowship, and is currently called InFaith). When the church was incorporated, the original three Trustees of the church were Darrel Hurst, Norma Faught and Eithel Teft.
In 1954, Darrel and Margie Hurst purchased a home across Bay View Street from the church and started using it for classrooms to accommodate the pupils of the Sunday School and the Children's Church. The congregation grew during this time, and on some occasions would reach around 75 people. In June of 1956, Mr. David Hundrichs, a single man, became the first resident pastor of the church. The house purchased by the Hursts became the parsonage as well as classrooms. From July 1959 until 1962, the pastors were Rev. A.N. Willems of San Jose and Rev. John F.l Lemke from Anaheim.
In the early 1960s, Darrel and Margie Hurst left the church to work in another ministry. By this time, they had made an impact in the lives of hundreds of young people in this area. According to the words of Carl Jungkeit, "The Hursts became a blessing, an inspiration, and a help to those lives they contacted in Bodega Bay. God alone knows the number who have come to know Him because of the faithfulness of Darrel and Margie Hurst." At this time, the church offices were held by the following: Dwight Jungkeit, Missionary (the son of Carl and Nita Jungkeit); Mrs. Guy Tefft, Superintendent; Gene Sherman, Assistant Superintendent; Norma Faught, Secretary and Treasurer; Melvin and Emma Clark, teachers; Zannette Santos, teacher; LaRue Ross, teacher.
In mid 1962, Mr. Earl Lackey began serving as pastor. He and his wife, Jean, served for eleven years in the church. They would drive out from Forestville each Sunday for the services. Mr. Lackey was a great Bible teacher, and he continued to be a guest speaker even after his retirement.
In 1965, Earl and Helen Nevins were on their fishing boat outside Bodega Bay, but were lost in the fog with no instruments to guide them. A local fisherman helped them find their way into the bay. According to Helen, they were flat broke when they arrived here. Earl has many times jokingly commented on the situation when he said, "We didn't have any money when we got here, and we've been too broke to leave ever since." They gave up fishing and Earl began operating a backhoe in the local area, an occupation he continued until well into his 80s. Upon retirement of Earl Lackey in March 1973, Earl and Helen Nevins were voted in as the pastors of the church. Under the leadership of Earl and Helen Nevins, the church continued to grow spiritually, and in numbers. Many people were affected by their kindnesses, and their genuine love for everyone--no matter what their standing in life might have been. Since that March day in 1973, they served as pastors of the Bodega Bay Union Church for almost two decades--and without accepting any pay for their work.
In the 1960s, church members realized that some unknown person had stolen the bell from the bell tower. Later, a used bell was donated to the church from the First Baptist church of Los Altos. In 1965, John and Gaye LeBaron donated a 50-foot square lot adjoining the original church property. Later, the church purchased another lot adjoining the existing lot on the north side, giving the church a total of three lots.
In 1972, church members started building an 800 square foot building to be used for Sunday school rooms, dining room and restrooms. It was completed in 1973, and was named “The Jungkeit Hall” in honor of the missionary, Carl Jungkeit, who started the ministry in Bodega Bay. Upon completion, the building was completely paid for by donations and volunteer labor.
In 1979, Jerry and Arden Lites started attending the church, after feeling a calling to go there while driving by from his home on the coast one day. He finished his teaching at a sister church and started attending Bodega Bay Church under the leadership of Earl and Helen Nevins. At the time of Jerry and Arden's arrival there were only four kids attending church. Jerry started a children’s ministry, and within a few months, there were over 25 kids attending each Sunday. Jerry would sit in at the Elementary School nearby and help with Bible release time. His kids attended the school and he was a regular fixture there encouraging young kids in their faith. Jerry also served on the board of directors of the church and as a church Elder. Jerry and Arden continue to serve in leadership to this day.
In February 1987 Jerry Lites who was a Police Sergeant in Sebastopol stopped to introduce himself to Pat Parks, a Police Captain in Petaluma who lived just up the highway. Pat had attended a church for the first time in over two decades on that very day. Unmoved by the experience Pat at the other church Pat prayed prayed all the way home that if God wanted him in Church that God would show him where to attend. That morning while looking up the address for the other church Pat ran across a small ad in the yellow that said Bodega Bay Church "Come as You Are". That morning Pat almost attended Bodega Bay Church that he should attend there, but instead he went to other church he had been told about. After introducing himself to Pat, Jerry invited Pat Parks to attend Bodega Bay Church. Pat took that as an answer to his prayer he had prayed on the way home. Pat started attending Bodega Bay Church with his wife, Denice and their children, the next Sunday, under the leadership of Earl and Helen Nevins He soon became a Sunday school teacher for the kids and later a Bible study teacher for adults He served as an board member and later as an Elder in the Church. Pat continues to serve in leadership to this day and Denice is a regular helper in the church.
In the late 1980s, Earl Nevins was doing some backhoe work for a husband and wife in the area. They were impressed with Earl and the work that he was doing in the ministry, so they donated a piece of property to Earl on the outskirts of Bodega Bay. Earl signed over the deed to the church, and it was sold so that the money could be used to start the building of the new church. There were some obstacles to overcome. First, the church owned three small lots. We then had them combined into one lot through the County. Second, the Building Department said that we needed 60 parking spaces for the size of our proposed building, but there was only enough room for just over 20 spaces. After some meetings with the County, they finally gave permission to proceed with the smaller number of parking spaces. Third, we needed more land so that we could move the building to the edge of the hillside to make room for parking. In 1988, we approached Mr. John Lebaron (a college photography teacher) and his wife Gaye Lebaron (a local writer for the Press Democrat) who owned the adjoining land to see about purchasing the land on the hillside. John said that he and Gaye had already agreed to donate the land to us, a very wonderful and generous gift. We went to the County with a lot line adjustment and after that last obstacle was removed, we were able to proceed with the building plans. The plans for the new church were drawn up by John Cook, a local architect, and the process was begun.
A building permit was issued through the County Building Department in 1991. The work project went on for many years with the help of dedicated people who also had a vision to see the new church in place. Lew Smith, a church member for many years, volunteered many hours over several years to work on the church. Chuck Gentry, a local contractor, also volunteered his Saturdays working on the church for several years. It was because of the vision of Earl and Helen Nevins and the dedication of many people like Lew and Chuck that the church was finally completed and signed off by the County in January 2009. At the time of completion, the church was debt free. It was an amazing story of how God supplied the funds each and every time a need was there, even many times when we had no money. This church was a dream of Earl Nevins, but he did not live to see its completion, although he had the vision in his mind. He never doubted that God would supply for our every need, and he was right.
After the Nevins’ retired as pastors, there was a series of pastors who came for short periods of time to fill the vacancy. In the mid 1990s, David Cook, a previous pastor and Bible teacher served as pastor. After that, Jason Miles, a Bible student, agreed to come for a period of time. He served for a year and a half before leaving in April 2000 to take a position with World Vision in Washington state.
From the time of Jason Miles departure Jerry Lites and Pat Parks then filled the pulpit as lay pastors until a pastor could be found. After seven months of filling the pulpit, the congregation unanimously signed a paper asking Jerry and Pat to consider being the pastors. After a few months of praying about the decision, both men felt called by God to take the positions. They were voted in as co-pastors at the Annual Meeting on March 11, 2001. There were a couple of obstacles: Jerry and Pat were both still working as police officers. Jerry was now a Lieutenant on the Sebastopol Police Department, and Pat was Chief of Police on the Petaluma Police Department. both continued to work their jobs until they were able to retire. Both men retired from police work in 2002. with Jerry retiring in January and Pat retiring in September. Another slight conflict was that Jerry and Pat were both volunteering as security and crisis management consultants for missionaries in various countries around the world. Even with the busy schedules, both felt called to the ministry in Bodega Bay and continue in Pastoral roles today.
Pastor Jerry Lites retired as Senior Pastor of the Bodega Bay Church in August of 2023, shortly after his 80th birthday. He continues to serve as the Special Services Pastor.
Pastor Pat Parks assumed the Lead Pastor role at that time of Jerry's retirement. Both remain board members and Elders of the church as does Arden Lites.
Jerry and Arden, along with Pat are also three of the co-founders of a ministry called Hope Milele Africa, a faith based non profit, which serves children living in poverty in the East African Countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
Bodega Bay Church has always been an independent, non-denominational church, continuing its affiliation with InFaith. Our teachings have always been Christ-centered, based on the Word of God and our personal faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior who died for our sins, and that it is only through him that we have the promise of eternal life.
Even though the “little brown church sitting up above the town” is no longer there, the ministry is still the same, reaching out to the people along the coastal area and surrounding communities, as well as for those who are traveling through who enjoy worshiping while away from home. Many of our visitors feel at home from their first visit, and they continue to return year-after-year as they pass through our area. One family is now on their fifth generation as “visitors.” On the other hand, we also have those in our church who have been attending and serving for decades. We welcome people from all walks of life to “come as you are” as they come simply to worship with a group of believers who love God. For all who are involved in the ministry in Bodega Bay Church, it is a blessing to be part of this church family.
History By Pastor Jerry Lites with revisions by Pastor Pat Parks
Prior to the first church being built in Bodega Bay, there was a Bible study in some of the local homes along the coast, possibly starting in the late 1920s. Guy Mann, son of Guy and Ruby Mann, local ranchers, remembered some of those meetings being held at their home at the ranch about 5 miles north of Bodega Bay (known as “Bay” in those days). Ruth Burke (McCaughey) also remembers attending those studies. The lessons were taught by Miss Buelah Balderie (later, her married name was Beeson). Mary May’s family moved to Bay in the late 1920s and also remembered attending the studies. She remembered the lessons being taught by Mrs. Harmon, “grandmother to the VanVicel children.” Mrs. May believes that the church was possibly built in the area as a direct result of the coastal Bible study women's group.
On April 19, 1932, Despard William Taylor, single, a local property owner, deeded a small piece of land to I.B. Raymond, D.G. Niel, et. al. as Trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Petaluma (the other Trustees not named on the deed were as follows: C.F.D. Burmiester, M.H. Gordon, G.W. Van Bebber, H.A. George, and N.B. Rundall). The property, 50 feet wide by 100 feet long, was located in the community of Bay. Within the next year, a church was erected on the property. Materials to build the church were donated by individuals and by the Methodist churches of Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Sebastopol. It was built by Jean Robertson, a local builder. Jean’s daughter, Jeannie, was the first one married in the little church in 1933. The church stood at that location until it was demolished in February 2006 to make room for the parking lot for the new church building.
Mrs. May remembered the following people being present for the building dedication in 1933: Mary May, her daughter, Dolores, Mae Wilson, Rose Linebaugh, Mrs. Harmon, Ivy Thomas, and possibly Ruby Mann. There were others, but she didn’t recall them. Very few people used the church, so within a few years, the doors were closed and the church was not used.
In early 1937, a young missionary with the American Sunday School Union by the name of Carl Jungkeit (pronounced “young kite”) and his family was approached by Mrs. Rose Linebaugh about starting a Sunday School in Bay. Carl drove out to Bay and found the church. He wrote these words: "I found a little brown church sitting up above the town, but quiet and empty. Upon inquiring, I found that it was closed, even tho' it had been built in 1932... just five years before. I also inquired around about the ownership and got permission to open the doors and start a Sunday School."
Bay Union Sunday School was then organized on February 26, 1937, on a Friday afternoon. The “Union” in the name came from the American Sunday School Union. On that first day, there’re were 23 people present. The weather was cold and windy. Those present were: Mr. Snow, Mr. & Mrs. G. Allen, Mrs. May and her daughter, Dolores, Mrs. Blanche Pillow, Mrs. W.J. Robertson, Mr. & Mrs. Howard Risto, the VanVicel children, the McCaugheys granddaughter, Alice, of Bodega, Mr. & Mrs. August Jungkeit (parents of Carl Jungkeit), Mr. & Mrs. Carl Jungkeit, and their children, Dorothy and Dwight, and five other unidentified people. Mrs. W.J. Robertson was elected the secretary and treasurer. The Jungkeits volunteered to drive out and hold the service on Friday of each week. They did this for several years.
In these early years, there were a number of people who came and served in the church. From 1941 to 1944, Dr. Josephine Williams, a medical doctor from Eldridge, drove over each Sunday to conduct the Sunday School. In 1943, the town of Bay changed its name to Bodega Bay, thus the name of the Sunday School became the Bodega Bay Union Sunday School. In 1944, Ethel Teff started attending and became an active part of the church service for many years. On November 26, 1944, a young peoples society was organized with Miss Shirley Rhodes (later married Harold Ames) as president, Miss Ardel DeHaven as vice president, and Miss Glenice Ames (later married Earl Carpenter) as the secretary and treasurer.
The very first preaching service was established in September 1946 when Rev. George Allen agreed to come up each Sunday from Oakland to preach. His wife helped with the Sunday School teaching. It was also through Rev. Allen that pews were donated from the Baptist Church of Oakland. These pews were in the church for many years. It was also about this time that Mrs. Rose Gaffney started to attend the services, and helped whenever there was a need.
A number of pastors and other workers carried on the work in the church over the next few years. From 1947 to 1950, Rev. Elmer Burroughs and his wife were faithful workers, driving each Sunday from Petaluma. In 1950, Mrs. Norma Faught (married to Roy) began working in the church where she was a faithful worker for many years. In the early 1950s, several pastors filled the pulpit: Mr. Ernest Quaintance, Mr. Lyle Jeffers, Rev. Elmer Burroughs, Rev. Reuben Granlund and Dr. John Bain.
In January 1953, Missionary Carl Jungkeit was speaking at a Sebastopol church when he announced that the church in Bodega Bay needed help. Darrel and Margie Hurst were attending the service that day, and felt the call to go help in Bodega Bay. They arrived in the next few weeks and began work that lasted for several years. On their first Sunday, only seven people were present. They worked in the Sunday School and occasionally Darrel had to preach from the pulpit when the pastor didn’t show up.
Shortly after the Hursts started attending, the congregation decided to incorporate as a church. The process was started and Bodega Bay Union Church was officially incorporated on June 25, 1953. The name “Union” in the name was taken from the missionary organization that started the Sunday School, the American Sunday School Union, an organization that has been in existence since the founding of our country (it was later called American Missionary Fellowship, and is currently called InFaith). When the church was incorporated, the original three Trustees of the church were Darrel Hurst, Norma Faught and Eithel Teft.
In 1954, Darrel and Margie Hurst purchased a home across Bay View Street from the church and started using it for classrooms to accommodate the pupils of the Sunday School and the Children's Church. The congregation grew during this time, and on some occasions would reach around 75 people. In June of 1956, Mr. David Hundrichs, a single man, became the first resident pastor of the church. The house purchased by the Hursts became the parsonage as well as classrooms. From July 1959 until 1962, the pastors were Rev. A.N. Willems of San Jose and Rev. John F.l Lemke from Anaheim.
In the early 1960s, Darrel and Margie Hurst left the church to work in another ministry. By this time, they had made an impact in the lives of hundreds of young people in this area. According to the words of Carl Jungkeit, "The Hursts became a blessing, an inspiration, and a help to those lives they contacted in Bodega Bay. God alone knows the number who have come to know Him because of the faithfulness of Darrel and Margie Hurst." At this time, the church offices were held by the following: Dwight Jungkeit, Missionary (the son of Carl and Nita Jungkeit); Mrs. Guy Tefft, Superintendent; Gene Sherman, Assistant Superintendent; Norma Faught, Secretary and Treasurer; Melvin and Emma Clark, teachers; Zannette Santos, teacher; LaRue Ross, teacher.
In mid 1962, Mr. Earl Lackey began serving as pastor. He and his wife, Jean, served for eleven years in the church. They would drive out from Forestville each Sunday for the services. Mr. Lackey was a great Bible teacher, and he continued to be a guest speaker even after his retirement.
In 1965, Earl and Helen Nevins were on their fishing boat outside Bodega Bay, but were lost in the fog with no instruments to guide them. A local fisherman helped them find their way into the bay. According to Helen, they were flat broke when they arrived here. Earl has many times jokingly commented on the situation when he said, "We didn't have any money when we got here, and we've been too broke to leave ever since." They gave up fishing and Earl began operating a backhoe in the local area, an occupation he continued until well into his 80s. Upon retirement of Earl Lackey in March 1973, Earl and Helen Nevins were voted in as the pastors of the church. Under the leadership of Earl and Helen Nevins, the church continued to grow spiritually, and in numbers. Many people were affected by their kindnesses, and their genuine love for everyone--no matter what their standing in life might have been. Since that March day in 1973, they served as pastors of the Bodega Bay Union Church for almost two decades--and without accepting any pay for their work.
In the 1960s, church members realized that some unknown person had stolen the bell from the bell tower. Later, a used bell was donated to the church from the First Baptist church of Los Altos. In 1965, John and Gaye LeBaron donated a 50-foot square lot adjoining the original church property. Later, the church purchased another lot adjoining the existing lot on the north side, giving the church a total of three lots.
In 1972, church members started building an 800 square foot building to be used for Sunday school rooms, dining room and restrooms. It was completed in 1973, and was named “The Jungkeit Hall” in honor of the missionary, Carl Jungkeit, who started the ministry in Bodega Bay. Upon completion, the building was completely paid for by donations and volunteer labor.
In 1979, Jerry and Arden Lites started attending the church, after feeling a calling to go there while driving by from his home on the coast one day. He finished his teaching at a sister church and started attending Bodega Bay Church under the leadership of Earl and Helen Nevins. At the time of Jerry and Arden's arrival there were only four kids attending church. Jerry started a children’s ministry, and within a few months, there were over 25 kids attending each Sunday. Jerry would sit in at the Elementary School nearby and help with Bible release time. His kids attended the school and he was a regular fixture there encouraging young kids in their faith. Jerry also served on the board of directors of the church and as a church Elder. Jerry and Arden continue to serve in leadership to this day.
In February 1987 Jerry Lites who was a Police Sergeant in Sebastopol stopped to introduce himself to Pat Parks, a Police Captain in Petaluma who lived just up the highway. Pat had attended a church for the first time in over two decades on that very day. Unmoved by the experience Pat at the other church Pat prayed prayed all the way home that if God wanted him in Church that God would show him where to attend. That morning while looking up the address for the other church Pat ran across a small ad in the yellow that said Bodega Bay Church "Come as You Are". That morning Pat almost attended Bodega Bay Church that he should attend there, but instead he went to other church he had been told about. After introducing himself to Pat, Jerry invited Pat Parks to attend Bodega Bay Church. Pat took that as an answer to his prayer he had prayed on the way home. Pat started attending Bodega Bay Church with his wife, Denice and their children, the next Sunday, under the leadership of Earl and Helen Nevins He soon became a Sunday school teacher for the kids and later a Bible study teacher for adults He served as an board member and later as an Elder in the Church. Pat continues to serve in leadership to this day and Denice is a regular helper in the church.
In the late 1980s, Earl Nevins was doing some backhoe work for a husband and wife in the area. They were impressed with Earl and the work that he was doing in the ministry, so they donated a piece of property to Earl on the outskirts of Bodega Bay. Earl signed over the deed to the church, and it was sold so that the money could be used to start the building of the new church. There were some obstacles to overcome. First, the church owned three small lots. We then had them combined into one lot through the County. Second, the Building Department said that we needed 60 parking spaces for the size of our proposed building, but there was only enough room for just over 20 spaces. After some meetings with the County, they finally gave permission to proceed with the smaller number of parking spaces. Third, we needed more land so that we could move the building to the edge of the hillside to make room for parking. In 1988, we approached Mr. John Lebaron (a college photography teacher) and his wife Gaye Lebaron (a local writer for the Press Democrat) who owned the adjoining land to see about purchasing the land on the hillside. John said that he and Gaye had already agreed to donate the land to us, a very wonderful and generous gift. We went to the County with a lot line adjustment and after that last obstacle was removed, we were able to proceed with the building plans. The plans for the new church were drawn up by John Cook, a local architect, and the process was begun.
A building permit was issued through the County Building Department in 1991. The work project went on for many years with the help of dedicated people who also had a vision to see the new church in place. Lew Smith, a church member for many years, volunteered many hours over several years to work on the church. Chuck Gentry, a local contractor, also volunteered his Saturdays working on the church for several years. It was because of the vision of Earl and Helen Nevins and the dedication of many people like Lew and Chuck that the church was finally completed and signed off by the County in January 2009. At the time of completion, the church was debt free. It was an amazing story of how God supplied the funds each and every time a need was there, even many times when we had no money. This church was a dream of Earl Nevins, but he did not live to see its completion, although he had the vision in his mind. He never doubted that God would supply for our every need, and he was right.
After the Nevins’ retired as pastors, there was a series of pastors who came for short periods of time to fill the vacancy. In the mid 1990s, David Cook, a previous pastor and Bible teacher served as pastor. After that, Jason Miles, a Bible student, agreed to come for a period of time. He served for a year and a half before leaving in April 2000 to take a position with World Vision in Washington state.
From the time of Jason Miles departure Jerry Lites and Pat Parks then filled the pulpit as lay pastors until a pastor could be found. After seven months of filling the pulpit, the congregation unanimously signed a paper asking Jerry and Pat to consider being the pastors. After a few months of praying about the decision, both men felt called by God to take the positions. They were voted in as co-pastors at the Annual Meeting on March 11, 2001. There were a couple of obstacles: Jerry and Pat were both still working as police officers. Jerry was now a Lieutenant on the Sebastopol Police Department, and Pat was Chief of Police on the Petaluma Police Department. both continued to work their jobs until they were able to retire. Both men retired from police work in 2002. with Jerry retiring in January and Pat retiring in September. Another slight conflict was that Jerry and Pat were both volunteering as security and crisis management consultants for missionaries in various countries around the world. Even with the busy schedules, both felt called to the ministry in Bodega Bay and continue in Pastoral roles today.
Pastor Jerry Lites retired as Senior Pastor of the Bodega Bay Church in August of 2023, shortly after his 80th birthday. He continues to serve as the Special Services Pastor.
Pastor Pat Parks assumed the Lead Pastor role at that time of Jerry's retirement. Both remain board members and Elders of the church as does Arden Lites.
Jerry and Arden, along with Pat are also three of the co-founders of a ministry called Hope Milele Africa, a faith based non profit, which serves children living in poverty in the East African Countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
Bodega Bay Church has always been an independent, non-denominational church, continuing its affiliation with InFaith. Our teachings have always been Christ-centered, based on the Word of God and our personal faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior who died for our sins, and that it is only through him that we have the promise of eternal life.
Even though the “little brown church sitting up above the town” is no longer there, the ministry is still the same, reaching out to the people along the coastal area and surrounding communities, as well as for those who are traveling through who enjoy worshiping while away from home. Many of our visitors feel at home from their first visit, and they continue to return year-after-year as they pass through our area. One family is now on their fifth generation as “visitors.” On the other hand, we also have those in our church who have been attending and serving for decades. We welcome people from all walks of life to “come as you are” as they come simply to worship with a group of believers who love God. For all who are involved in the ministry in Bodega Bay Church, it is a blessing to be part of this church family.
History By Pastor Jerry Lites with revisions by Pastor Pat Parks