3Crosses history

In 1939, this gathering became officially known as “The Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes Estates.”

By 1946, the Congregation had grown to over 150 members and was in need of a permanent Church home.

After the War, the Church began to grow rapidly, as did Malaga Cove School, which in 1949 announced a plan to turn the auditorium into classrooms, thus rendering it unusable as a church sanctuary.

In 1951, the Church, seeking a permanent home, purchased the property for $60,000 from the London Exploration Company.

On December 5, 1952, the first service was held at the now-iconic Neighborhood Church.

The present church building was purchased in May and opened its doors on the first Sunday in July 1964.

The church was incorporated in June 1965 with 29 charter members and since that time has continued to grow spiritually, numerically and financially.

Neighborhood Church began in 1971 under the leadership of its founding shepherd, Ed Petersen and a team of elders.

In 1985 Neighborhood Church hired its first full-time staff person, Brad Manley.

When the Eckleys returned home from Germany in 1987, Dan became Neighborhood Church’s first Youth Pastor.

Pastor Ken retired in 1988 with an amazing legacy of a beautiful campus and thousands of changed lives.