San Juan Capistrano sits just a few miles from the California coast, straddling San Juan and Trabuco creeks, which stream down from the Santa Ana mountain range to the northeast. The community was settled in the mid-1770s by Catholic priests, led by Father Junipero Serra. Renowned for its "return of the swallows" to the world-famous Mission San Juan Capistrano, the "village" has become a central focus of South Orange County.

        In the early 1900s, the coastal area, blessed with temperate weather year 'round, was very rural, populated by small farms and orchards established by farmers transplanted from the Midwest. For their spiritual needs, many of the area's residents traveled to nearby Laguna Beach.

        On September 10, 1916, a small group -- headed by Lucille McGaughey, Blanche Dolph, and Margaret Day Cook-- organized the first Sunday School, which was to become the nucleus of what today is Community Presbyterian Church of San Juan Capistrano . This dedicated group of Protestant Sunday School teachers and their non-Catholic children met in Woodman Hall, which served as the social hall for the San Juan Capistrano village. They were served by the Reverend Paul Stevens during this interim period, and it would be nearly three years later, on April 22, 1919, that our church was formally organized with 48 members. The Rev. A. H. Burkholder was the church's first minister. The first permanent structure -- the sanctuary, was completed in 1922.

        In 1928, the church used World War I savings bonds to add two rooms and a kitchen to the existing sanctuary. And, again, in 1945, the church used $4,000 in war bonds to finance installation of pews.

Between 1948 and 1951, the church continued to grow, adding another building, classrooms and fellowship hall, and enlarging the kitchen. The church, with its expanded facilities, soon became the "San Juan" community hub -- with many local groups (Rotary, Women's Club and even the San Juan Elementary School), using the church site. CPC became a strong influence in the development of the spiritual, social, and civic life of the San Juan village.

        In 1965, Community Presbyterian Church received a gift from the C. Russell Cook family, who donated three acres of farm-ranch land on del Obispo Street in San Juan Capistrano for construction of a new sanctuary, school, fellowship hall, pastor's study, and offices. Three years later, on March 31, 1968, the modern Spanish-style church was dedicated. Robert W. Hill was chairman of the building committee; William C. Loper, DD, served as minister (1960-70).

        In 1971, Pastor Robert L. Schwenck arrived, after serving churches in Granada Hills, Escalon, and Playa del Rey.  Pastor Schwenck retired at the end of 2001 and was named our Pastor Emeritus.  Rev. Charles Svendsen served as interim pastor until July 2004.

        In August 2004, Pastor Morgan Murray became permanent pastor at CPC after serving as Associate Pastor for Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale, Arizona.

        Small fellowship study groups have been organized for support among adult members, meeting on a regular basis. Senior High youth, a highly active group, go every summer on a trip of service to such places as Alaska, Northern California, Arizona, Mexico, Kansas and recently Massachusetts. Jake Gilbertson is our present Director of Youth Ministry and Laura Donovan is our present Director of Children's Ministries. 

        From its very beginning, the basic roots of CPC were founded on Sunday School -- the Christian education of our youth. This fundamental platform on which our church resides has continued through every phase of expansion, of new member growth, and continues to this day. Adult education, youth ministries, children's ministries, and preschool programs are active and robust at Community Presbyterian Church.

        "Our greatest strengths," Pastor Emeritus Robert Schwenck states, "are our Christian education programs and creative worship. These very successful programs drive all of our efforts to minister to the needs of our members and the community. We have outstanding support and participation in all programs."