Picture this. A humble Sunday school. It’s 1933. Miss Lulu Satterlund’s home in El Cajon California overflows with eager students. This is the unlikely beginning of Crest Community Church. As attendance booms the Sunday school moves to the Suncrest Clubhouse. This temporary home couldn’t contain the growing congregation for long. In 1935 a small building on Lento Lane and Madera Verde Place becomes the first official home of Crest Community Church.
This wasn’t a grand edifice. It was described as an “ugly duckling”. Virginia Price’s father transformed this modest house into a place of worship around 1940. That original building still stands today a testament to the church’s enduring spirit. For years the Christian Missionary Alliance Church of El Cajon supplied pastors. In 1941 Earl and Anna Majors become the first resident preaching couple living in a house nicknamed “the Mosque” on Eucalyptus Drive.
Growth continued. A new church was built in front of the original building in 1952. The “ugly duckling” became a Sunday school. Gerald and Margaret Woodhouse served as pastors from 1959 to 1975. They oversaw significant growth. The church expanded needing more space. The Suncrest Clubhouse was purchased and remodeled into a larger sanctuary. The smaller church building was moved to the new location on Suncrest Boulevard. This building affectionately known as “The Chapel” is still used for Sunday school and other activities.
Over the years Crest Community Church wasn’t just a place of worship. It served as a community hub. Boy Scouts Girl Scouts and various organizations used the facilities. After the devastating Cedar Fire of 2003 the church provided meals for rebuilding crews. The church also faced a period of uncertainty. In 2013 the name was briefly changed to New Season’s Church-Crest. But the community soon recognized the importance of its history. The name was changed back to Crest Community Church.
Today Crest Community Church continues its mission of loving God loving others and serving the world. Its long history is etched into its buildings and its people. The church stands as a symbol of faith resilience and community. Its journey from a small Sunday school to a thriving congregation reflects the enduring spirit of its members and its dedication to its community. Step inside and experience the warmth of this vibrant place of worship. You’ll find a community deeply rooted in its history yet forward-looking in its mission.