OUR HISTORY

Life Center's story goes almost as far back as the city in which it resides. Mayor Iacoboni helped break ground at Life Center's current location on May of 1959, only two months after Lakewood voted for Incorporation.

On July 1. 1951 Pastor Roy G. Spece began holding Sunday school classes in his garage located at 5138 Montair Avenue in Lakewood. The first regular worship service was held on November 7, 1951 in the same garage. A helicopter dropped paper plates over the area with an invitation to attend the "garage church." The attendance was 140 for the first worship service. The garage door was open and chairs were placed up and down the driveway.

On January 18, 1953 the congregation held it's first business meeting and voted to affiliate with the Assemblies of God and voted to be governed by the "Recommended Constitution and By-laws of the Southern California District Council of the Assemblies of God." In 1956 they began to hold church services in the Douglas McArthur School Auditorium at 6011East Centralia Street . Shortly after that the congregation moved to the Lions Club building at 5288 Arbor Road, Lakewood.

In 1958 the church bought the present property at 6022 East Candlewood. The building was started on July 22, 1959 and final inspection was June 2, 1961. When the building was framed and had the roof on, they began to have prayer meetings in the new location. Lights were dropped from the rafters and a small cord organ was used for music. During the construction phase the ladies would prepare food while the men worked on the building. The first seating was folding chairs until 13 families pledged $100.00 to buy the first pews. Soon other furniture and instruments were acquired. Several years later, while Pastor Stephen Roberts was pastor, the foyer was enlarged and a second floor was added over the the nursery and restrooms.

Mayor of Lakewood Angelo M. Iacoboni (May 1959.)

In 1977 the current sanctuary was built using a "Miracle Sunday" concept. Because of bad economic times, no bank or lending institution would make a loan to a church. God led then Pastor Larry Pyle to begin building without a loan. When the building was complete in 1980, it was debt free.

The church name was changed from First Assembly of God to Life Center Assembly of God in 1986. This name was chosen because many felt the it reflected the focus of the church, to be a "Life Center."

STAFF HISTORY

In it's 50 year plus history, Life Center has had seven senior pastors.

Charles Atherton with Roy and Mollie Spece (October 3, 1999.)

July 1951 - 1967	Rev. Roy Spece
1967 - July 1970	Rev. Dwain McKenzie
July 1970 - July 1971	Rev. Sam Kern
September 1971 - July 1974	Rev. Robert L. Stephens
September 1974 - March 1976	Rev. Larry B. Pyle
June 1976 - May 1977	Rev. Greg Bryant
June 1977 - December 1986	Rev. Larry B. Pyle
March 1987 - Present	Rev. Charles E. Atherton