Grace Anatomy (Otherwise Known as a Short History of Our Church)

1980 — Grace Community Fellowship began in 1980 after a group of like-minded people broke off from another Eugene church to establish a more nontraditional church. The first service was held on June 1, 1980 with about 180 people present. The church met at the former Willamette Christian Center building at the Eugene Fairgrounds, then owned by the county. Ed Hastings was pastor and Dave Leeman was minister of music. It was a time of great energy. The unofficial motto? “Whatever it takes.” Grace spun off a Chinese-language church. It planted a church in Roseburg. It aided a church in Hungary. It was a time of growth, excitement and unity. Everybody pitched in.

1984 — Turbulent times arrive. In 1984, Hastings left and was replaced by Herb Evans. The church merged with Calvary Chapel and went to a co-pastoral setup with Calvary’s George Bryson. In some ways, the church became more conventional. Evans left in 1987 as did Leeman. In the late 1980s, the church got a “Dear John” letter from the county. Grace would have to leave its fairgrounds location.

1988 — Pastor Rick Taylor, arriving in 1988, ushered in a new era. He was later joined by Worship Pastor Randy Weece, Youth and Family Pastor Mac MacFarland, and Children’s Ministry Director La Chel Carson. A new building, in its present location, was built, thanks to some miracles. For example, after the city informed the church that it would need tons of fill dirt, Sacred Heart Hospital offered Grace the soil it was digging out to build a parking garage. Ever since, Grace has been known as a Protestant church built on a Catholic foundation! Seeker services started but were discontinued. Church growth (500 people on an average Sunday) led to utilizing space at nearby Willagillespie School for youth. In back-to-back years the church put on extravagant Christmas musicals at the Hult Center.

Late 1990s — Trying times. Within one year, all three pastors resigned. Former elders joined a few current leaders and elders in establishing a finger-in-the-dike leadership team. Slowly, the unity that had been missing returned.

2000 — Pastor Steve Hill, from Shelton, Washington, began in May of 2000. The church slowly began to grow again and a renewed passion permeated the church.

2002 — Jon Green started in 2002 as the Worship Pastor.

2003 — Lori Keebler joined the staff in 2003 as the Children’s Ministry Director.

2004 — Encouraging times. Due to rapid growth the church needed to expand the current facilities. In November, after a consultant said Grace could expect to raise $700,000 in a capital stewardship campaign for an expansion project, $1.3 million was pledged. Eventually, $1.7 million was donated toward the 18,000 square foot project.

2005 — Tracy Sims joined Grace as an Associate Pastor and Eric Fuller followed as the Youth Pastor.

2007 — Construction was completed in 2007 to add much-needed children and administrative space in Phase I of the expansion. “Grace Groups” (a renewed effort to help everyone establish authentic relationships) were launched.

2009 — In 2009 Chelsea Walker joined the staff, replacing Lori Keebler as the Children’s Ministry Director when Lori moved to follow her husband and his job.

2010 — The church stands poised to begin a new chapter in its continual story to “love people where they’re at and help them follow Jesus.”