The 1950s & 1960s

1950 - Dr. Gideon Hagstotz, pastor

Ground Breaking

Left to Right. Reinhold R. Bietz, President of So. Cal. Conference of SDA, Robert O’Leary, president of the Downey Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Gideon Hagstotz, Pastor and Pastor Rodney Cogswell, First Presbyterian church

Inside construction - 1957

Construction June 6, 1957

Opening day

May 10, 1958

Pastor Gideon Hagstotz is congratulated by R. R. Bietz, president of So. Cal Conference. Alvin G. Munson, Sec-Treasurer So. Cal. Conf., Dr. Robert M. McLennon, building chairman

Choir – Opening Day May 10, 1958

Prayer Room Dedication: John Murray, treasurer; Dr. Gideon Hagstotz, pastor; Dr Lyndon Taylor MD; Rev. Rodney Cogswell, First Presbyterian Church

Dedication of Beitz; Leon Emerson, Downey Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Charles Spier, Finance; R.R. Bietz, President of So. Cal. Conference; Dr. Gideon Hagstotz, pastor; Harold Lindbeck, president Counselors National, Inc.

Opening Day

Thank you, Presbyterians

We, the members of the Florence-Downey Community Church of Seventh-day Adventists, want to express our appreciation to the Rev. Rodney V. Cogswell, pastor, the Session and members of the First Presbyterian Church of Downey for your kindness in allowing us to use your church facilities while our building

was under construction.

You have shared and we are grateful for you generosity. Yours was truly a Christian and

neighborly gesture. Thank you.

1958 Christmas

Car used to transport members from Florence area to new church in Downey. It is a 1946 Chrysler.

1959 VW BUS

With the members that used it to get to church

1960 VBS

1960 VBS Class

1961 Pathfinders

1961 Vikings

Nov 1961 - 4 church services broadcast by KTLA on channel 5.

This was part of the Adventist Hour that was broadcast on Sunday mornings. Pastor Dave Olsen.

May 5, 1962: Mortgage paid as pastor David Olsen leaves for a call in Mountain View, CA. Left to Right: Cree Sandefur, Dr. Robert McLennan, R. R. Bietz and

David L. Olsen.

1962 – Pastor Charles Keymer introduced to congregation.

1968 – 5 Day Plan - Clyde Morris and Pastor Howard Miller

1968 – 10 year Anniversary

Palm trees are little taller