Our History

About GCMB

Leaders from both GCV and GCMB.

From left to right: Blake Boys, David Morris, Scott Ardavanis, Nick Poma, Dominic Avila, Justin Clausen, Andy Muxlow, Tom Rios, Shay Thomason

Grace Church Monterey Bay, formerly Seaside First Baptist Church, grew from a partnership with Grace Church of the Valley (GCV).

 

In Spring 2019, after experiencing a devastating season of trials and hurt at the hands of an unfaithful pastor, the SFBC Elders contacted GCV in an effort to rejuvenate a church potentially on the brink of collapse.

 

And through that partnership, along with the prayers and petitions of faithful men and women in Monterey, Kingsburg, and around the world, the Lord faithfully preserved this church on the peninsula.

 

GCV began sending men to aid with preaching on Sunday mornings; SFBC Elders received encouragement and insight from the GCV pastoral team; and soon, after much prayer and consideration, it became clear that the Lord had raised up GCV’s Dominic Avila to serve as the Lead Pastor of the revitalized and renamed, Grace Church Monterey Bay.

 

With a commitment to Christ-exalting worship, exegetical preaching, and faithfully living out the one-another’s, we’re excited to continue to participate in God’s work of furthering His Kingdom right here on the Monterey Peninsula.

Our History

October 1951: Articles of Incorporation for First Baptist Church of Seaside were drawn to meet legal requirements for the eventual securing of property. The signers were D.N. Clinton, and Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Yarnell.

 

December, 1952: An acre of land was found and a deposit made. The necessary papers were executed and the land was purchased.

 

Mid-Summer of 1953: Work was under way on an education building.

 

February 7, 1954: The first section of the building was opened for Sunday School. The attendance was 72. Three servicemen helped conduct morning services: Lt. James Wilson, USN, Pvt. Lorne Ferguson, and Pvt Howard Young.

 

July 1954: An office building was bought from the Del Webb Construction Co., and moved to the church property. Total cost of the building and moving was $1,880.00.

 

February 1, 1956: The Board of Trustees, D.N. Clinton, H.G. Hamilton, A.R. Pina, Kenneth Hastey, Paul Lytle and Herbert Carper, invited Dr. Ralph Mulholland to become pastor of FBC, Seaside. Dr. Mulholland was instrumental in establishing the work here. Previously he had been pastor of FBC Monterey for 8 years. Later that month an additional two acres of land was secured.

 

Jan 9, 1957: First Baptist Church of Seaside, CA was formally organized and the first annual business meeting was held.

 

May 1957: Another one-third of an acre was bought.

 

October 1957: There was a call to prayer concerning the procurement of an army Chapel from Ft. Ord. The Chapel had been damaged by fire and was to be disposed of.

 

December 23, 1957: The title to the Chapel was obtained for the sum of $200.00. Work was started immediately to bring the Chapel to the church property.

 

February 1958: Chapel was moved to the church property.

 

November 9, 1958: The first church service was held in the Chapel building, though it was far from completed. Seaside First Baptist Church supported these missionaries during its early years: Dewey and Edith Mulholland, Brasilia Seminary; Mel and Mary Lyons, Africa; Lorne and Betty Lou Ferguson, Zambia; William and Shirley Portis, Italy; Richard and Louise Madsen, Congo; Joe and Margaret Meeko, Japan Many other missionaries have been supported over the years as well as Victory Mission in Salinas.

 

October 2003: The church held a 50 year celebration. Many former pastors and members were able to attend. The luncheon for this event was held at the Boys and Girls Club on La Salle Ave.

 

November 2019: The existing leadership and members of Seaside First Baptist Church officially changed the church's name to Grace Church Monterey Bay as part of a revitalization and rejuvenation partnership with Grace Church of the Valley in Kingsburg, California.