POINT LOMA — Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, commonly referred to as “The Red Brick Church,” is embarking on an ambitious renovation of the iconic facility. The classic Georgian structure has been a landmark on Point Loma and home for thousands of San Diego worshipers since it was chartered in 1937. The towering cross-topped spire and handsome sanctuary at the corner of Chatsworth Boulevard and Udall Street beckon and embrace those seeking to gather, grow and share in the Christian faith. Church members first met in the Point Loma High School cafeteria and later, in 1938, built the Spanish colonial chapel on Udall Street. Over the years, the church added education and administrative spaces. In 1954, the red brick sanctuary was dedicated. In 1989, the congregation built the Family Life Center, which was the facility’s last major modification. The congregation now numbers about 1,300 members. The church is now preparing for the celebration of its 75th anniversary with a major remodel and upgrade of its core facilities. The remodel of the interior of the iconic sanctuary is built around plans for a new pipe organ that is now under construction in El Cajon. The current organ, a 17-rank Wickes instrument installed in 1954, never did completely complement the good acoustics of the auditorium. “The new organ will be a jewel among San Diego pipe organs,” said Don Brenneman, the church’s minister of music for 22 years. “It will include 52 ranks of pipes, and fill the room with sound.” Other features of the sanctuary renovation will be the raising and simplification of the chancel, the “stage” of the sanctuary, the addition of modern sound and lighting equipment, and a general face-lift for the room. “All these changes are designed to create a welcoming, flexible and accessible worship space,” said Rev. Dr. John Powell, the senior pastor at the church. Powell has been with the church for nearly six years. “We have found that the best way to keep our church relevant and growing is to continue to nurture and welcome the new expressions of worship that evolve with younger generations,” he said. Additional projects for the renovation include improved accessibility, a new plaza for outdoor gathering adjacent to the sanctuary, upgrades of interior courtyards, and remodels for meeting and administrative spaces. The entire project will cost $1.8 million. “The congregation is joining together to raise the funds over three years,” said John B. Spafford, church member and coordinator of the capital campaign. The first phase, in which church leaders made advanced pledges, is now complete. Spafford said he plans to invite the rest of the congregation to pledge during “Renovation Parties” in early February. At that time, he said he will announce the total of advanced pledges. “I think the congregation will be pleasantly surprised with the strength of early support for the campaign,” he said. Construction is planned to start in late May. While the sanctuary is being remodeled, the congregation will meet in the Family Life Center — except for the first Sunday of the construction period on May 29. Recently ordained and installed Associate Pastor Karla Shaw is planning a community service Sunday for that day. “We’ll be dividing into work teams and going into the community for service projects,” said Shaw. “We want all our neighbors on Point Loma to know that this renovation is not only of our facility, but of our fellowship and our outreach in this area.” The renovation is expected to be complete in the fall of 2011, when the refreshed and retooled sanctuary will be rededicated as Point Loma’s community church. The church is located at 2128 Chatsworth Blvd. The church office can be reached at (619) 223-1633, or by visiting www.pointlomachurch.org/renovation. — Jill Curtiss is the renovation campaign coordinator for the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church.
