The History of Bethany Presbyterian Church

The Founding and Early Years

In the fall of 1955, the Presbytery of San Francisco reached a comity agreement with the Northern California Council of Churches whereby a Presbyterian Church might be established in the San Bruno area.

In February 1956, the San Francisco Presbytery called the Reverend Roy W. Peyton, D.D., from Mesa, Arizona, settled him and his family in Rollingwood subdivision of San Bruno and named him organizing pastor.

Aided at the outset by a list of about 35 people in the local community who were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame and via calls from interested persons after some publicity, Mr. Peyton visited families and held sectional and joint meetings in their homes.

The big day arrived – April 8, 1956 – when the newly titled Peninsula Presbyterian Church began holding services and church school classes in two temporary San Bruno locations: the Volunteer Fire Department Hall and the Carpenters’ Union Hall on San Bruno Avenue.

Since the Fireman’s Hall was being used by various organizations, the decorations for Sunday morning worship were not always appropriate to the occasion, depending on what the hall was used for the preceding evening.

A steering committee was composed of eleven couples, with Dr. Peyton as Moderator. This committee, together with a committee from Presbytery, planned for the future growth and organization of the church.

The first baptism was administered on Mother’s Day, May 13, 1956 to Harry Warren, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond A Warren.

On June 17, 1956 Presbytery sent Mr. Lloyd Swenson, who had just completed his second year at Princeton Theological Seminary, to assist Dr. Peyton in the survey work and calling program during the summer. At this time the petition to Presbytery for the organization of Peninsula Presbyterian Church became available for signatures.

Charles I. Jackson, a member of the Steering Committee, having learned that the base chapel at Tanforan was not being used, petitioned the 12th Naval District for permission to use it temporarily for all church activities. Consent was given and the first services were held in the chapel on Sunday July 1, 1956. The Base Library was also made available for meetings and Sunday School.

At a dinner meeting on Friday, August 17, by majority vote of those present, the North Peninsula Presbyterian Church became the Bethany Presbyterian Church.

On September 30, 1956 a commission of the Presbytery of San Francisco organized the church with a charter membership of 92 members. The charter was held open until October 30 during which 13 more were added making a total of 105 charter members.

Then, on March 31, 1957 the congregation met with the Reverend John MacAuley of the Presbytery and elected The Rev. Roy Peyton as pastor. The Presbytery confirmed the call on April 30, 1957 at their regular meeting.

The church site at 2400 Rosewood Dr. was purchased in January, 1959. At the Groundbreaking Ceremony, February 14, the Mayor of San Bruno, Mr. Bob Price, welcomed the new congregation into the city and other speakers included The Rev. John MacAuley from the Presbytery. There was heavy rain that day so the ceremony was held at the Chapel with dirt brought from the site to the meeting place in a wheelbarrow.

The first services were held in the new building on December 19, 1959. Much of the interior construction work was completed by the men of the church.

The church’s first chapter ended when Mr. Peyton retired in June of 1968. Bethany’s second pastor was called on May 15, 1969. His name was The Reverend George E. DeWeese.