1995
Our story began in the summer of 1995, a group of 50 adults and 30 kids gathered at Bicentennial Park to discuss the possibility of starting a church in the East Clovis area. Pastors Alan Newlove and Joe Lavagnino shared a simple vision of a church that would be 1) Christ-centered, 2) relationally based and 3) outreach-oriented. Since our inception those three elements have served as a foundation for everything we do. We held our first public service in backyards for the first couple of weeks, then moved into Gettysburg Elementary School cafeteria. We didn’t have a name yet, so we were known as “That Church That Meets at Gettysburg!” Later in 1995, we finally chose to call our church Celebration Christian Fellowship which described the joy we felt as we gathered each Sunday.
One of our first worship gatherings before we planted
1997
In the spring of 1997 our church experienced our first growth spurt. We quickly went to two services, expanded the parking into the basketball courts and added children’s classrooms, until finally we realized we needed a larger facility.
Easter 1997 at Gettysburg School
2000
In 2000 we moved to Reyburn Intermediate School and added a third Sunday service and more classroom space for the children. We continued to expand our midweek ministries and programs back at our office/MPR facilities near Gettysburg and Clovis Avenue.
Pastor Gary and band at Reyburn Intermediate School
2004
In 2004 we purchased 25 acres at Shaw and McCall, knowing that was the general area God was calling us to serve. We began drawing up building designs and site plans, launched several capital campaigns and, though building was several years off, used the property as much as we could for Harvest Parties, Youth events and Special Sunday services under a large tent.
Pastors Alan and Joe at our first Worship Service under a tent on our property
2013
In 2013 we changed our name to reflect the Loma Vista area, calling ourselves Loma Vista Community Church. This new named served to remind us of our mandate to reach our community for Christ. We launched new outreach initiatives partnering with Clovis Unified School District and other services directed towards our community.
Gift bags for CUSD families
2018
In 2018, we finally received permission to build from both the County and City, and broke ground on an 11,000 sf Ministry Center. This first building ultimately will be our Family Ministry Center housing our children and youth programs, but temporarily will be our Worship Center when we first move in. Our permanent Worship Center will rest on the eastern side of our property.
Construction of our new Ministry Center
2021
Finally, after 27 years of being a portable church, we moved into our new Worship Center January 17th, 2021! We didn't have much, and the building a bit too small for our church, but we had finally arrived home!
Our first worship service in the Worship Center
2023
God continued to bless our church with tremendous growth each year. We expanded the parking lot, created outdoor worship venues and began construction on our North Wing for the children's ministry.
Floor plans for our North Wing
Today
Since our beginning we’ve been a portable, largely invisible church, enjoying a culture based on our values not our buildings. Those values that have served to define us throughout the decades will continue to define our culture as we move into our next era of ministry.
Carter, Jenny and Tammy leading a worship service