The following timeline traces the key dates and highlights of God's covenant love in our congregation.
Highlights from the History of
Covenant Reformed Church
Covenant Reformed Church has had two pastors (Jefferson Duckett and Jim West) and several Associate pastors (Jonathan Merica, Gene Sawtelle, Dennis Roe, Gil Baloy, and Frank Walker). Future ministers Rev. Hank Bowen and the Rev. David Dawn served as elders before being ordained to serve other churches. Also, the Rev. Gene Thompson (now in the PCA) served as an elder.
Covenant Reformed Church started churches in Grass Valley, Lodi, Riverbank, Yuba City, and Chula Vista. The church has hosted three Western Classis meetings (1988, 1994, and 2002).
1969
In 1969, Pastor Jefferson G. Duckett is received into the Reformed Church in the United States.
Pastor Jefferson Duckett begins a Bible study in Sacramento in 1970 (in the home of Richard and Louise Elliott).
In 1971 the Bible study group moves to the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. The “group” rents a large room and conducts a “worship service” on Sunday afternoon.
On August 22, 1971, Erick Daniel Elliott was the first person baptized.
The bulletin of August 22, 1971 states: “Under the auspices of the Faith Reformed Church in Anderson, California we are establishing another congregation in the Reformed Church in the United States.”
In 1971 the mission church moves to the YWCA in Sacramento.
In August, 1972, the mission church purchases the building on Cottonwood Lane, known as Southside Chapel.
A Charter Membership roll is drawn up in September 1973 (29 names are listed with Pastor Duckett and Pastor Gene Sawtelle signing this document).
1975
A Constitution for the Southside Chapel is written (probably in 1975) of which Pastor Duckett said “…and Southside Chapel became a properly organized church.”
The official recognition service was held on October 18, 1976.
The church was incorporated in March 1977.
The first recorded reference to the Lord’s Supper is June 5, 1977.
1980
In 1980, Southside Chapel changed its name to Sacramento Covenant Reformed Church.
Chris Fellersen, Dean Zoetewey, Richard Elliott, and Wayne Johnson were ordained as elders in 1981.
In 1981 at the Seventy-First Annual Session of the Eureka Classis, Sacramento Covenant Reformed Church was received as a member congregation.
On July 12, 1981, Pastor Jefferson Duckett was installed as the minister of Sacramento Covenant Reformed Church (the Rev. Robert Grossmann preaches).
Beginning in 1983, the Church hosted the first of twenty-two Reformation Bible Conferences. The speakers at the first conference were: Pastor Jefferson Duckett, the Rev. C.W. Powell, Jr., the Rev. Douglas Kelly, the Rev. Rousas J. Rushdoony, and John Saunders (Quade).
On February 4, 1984 there is a dedication service for the new building on 16th Ave. Pastor Duckett presides and Jim West preaches.
1985
Pastor Duckett retires from the pastoral ministry in August 1986.
Pastor Jim West begins his ministry at Covenant Reformed Church on September 21, 1986 (being installed by the Western Classis on November 14 the same year).
On January 5, 1987 the “What Christians Believe” radio program begins (each Monday night at 7:30)
In 1989 the Church sponsors a Russian “refugee” family (the Alexey Kruchkov family).
1990
On March 19, 1990, the persecuted Hungarian minister, Rev. Laszlo Tokes, preaches at Covenant Reformed Church. The weekday service is covered by the news media and the Sacramento Bee bills him as the minister who “defied Ceausescu.”
In 1997 she hosted the 251st Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States.
2000
Covenant Reformed Church started City Seminary in September 2000. It conducts its first class on September 9, 2000.
The Rev. Frank Walker is installed as Associate Pastor by the Western Classis on October 31, 2000.
2005
Covenant Reformed Church has also spearheaded various publications, including Contrast Ministries, The Two-Edged Sword, and just recently—Leben Magazine (2005).