New Life Church of the Nazarene History:
A Brief History, compiled by Pastor Tim King (1996-current)
In 1936, a Nazarene lady preacher by the name of Nettie Neff came to Salinas and made arrangements for a place to conduct Sunday School and worship services. This began in the Women’s Club House at 215 Lincoln Avenue. Property was purchased and in January 1939 the first worship service was held in the church’s first building. The fellowship outgrew their facility and purchased a lot “just out of town” on Sanborn Road for $11,000. With much of the work done by the congregation, they moved into the new building in July 1955. This first unit, a gymnasium, was used as the sanctuary for over 20 years. In November 1972 the mortgage was burned and plans were drawn up for a new sanctuary. Money was raised, part of the old building moved, construction ensued, and a new sanctuary was dedicated January 16, 1977. On September 13, 1987, the congregation celebrated her 50th anniversary.
In 1997 the church leadership embraced Salinas’ changing culture and identified “multicultural ministries” as her mission. The idea of multi-congregational ministry was introduced, where one church ministered in two languages. It was hoped that the sharing of leadership, facility, calendar and finances would bring new life to the English congregation and that a strong Spanish language ministry would be birthed. In 1999 the church called Rev. Wilmer Guido from Nicaragua as co-pastor of Spanish language ministries. The Salinas Church of the Nazarene changed her name to Oasis Church of the Nazarene. In February 2003, the growing Spanish-speaking congregation was declared a fully organized church, formally creating the second congregation of Nazarenes in Salinas.
Upon the official organization of the Spanish-speaking congregation, the English-speaking congregation determined that it would be best to multiply the ministries and move to a section of the city inhabited by more English speakers. The English-speaking congregation left the building, with a rental arrangement with her daughter church. It was the hope of the English-speaking congregation that her daughter church would someday buy the building. In March 2003, the English-speaking congregation relocated to the northwestern quadrant of the city, renting Kammann Elementary School as her new worship center. The English-speaking changed her name to Salinas New Life Church of the Nazarene, to distinguish herself from Oasis Church. New Life Church found herself challenged to embrace her newer community. The leadership led the congregation through a Refocus study, affirming new vision and values. As this process led the congregation to minister to young families, a Pastor of Student Ministries was called in August 2003.
The congregation met at Kammann School until the summer of 2006. Due to a decline in attendance and finances, the worship services were moved to the large room in the rented office at 1164 Monroe Street, Suite 5. At the close of 2007, the Oasis Church stopped renting from New Life Church. New Life chose to sell the Sanborn property, believing that a Spanish-speaking ministry was best for that part of the city. In 2008 the Sanborn property was sold to the City of Salinas.
On December 23, 2011 New Life Church closed escrow on her new Worship Center at 800 North Main Street. The New Life Church family believes that their best days are yet to come.
In 1936, a Nazarene lady preacher by the name of Nettie Neff came to Salinas and made arrangements for a place to conduct Sunday School and worship services. This began in the Women’s Club House at 215 Lincoln Avenue. Property was purchased and in January 1939 the first worship service was held in the church’s first building. The fellowship outgrew their facility and purchased a lot “just out of town” on Sanborn Road for $11,000. With much of the work done by the congregation, they moved into the new building in July 1955. This first unit, a gymnasium, was used as the sanctuary for over 20 years. In November 1972 the mortgage was burned and plans were drawn up for a new sanctuary. Money was raised, part of the old building moved, construction ensued, and a new sanctuary was dedicated January 16, 1977. On September 13, 1987, the congregation celebrated her 50th anniversary.
In 1997 the church leadership embraced Salinas’ changing culture and identified “multicultural ministries” as her mission. The idea of multi-congregational ministry was introduced, where one church ministered in two languages. It was hoped that the sharing of leadership, facility, calendar and finances would bring new life to the English congregation and that a strong Spanish language ministry would be birthed. In 1999 the church called Rev. Wilmer Guido from Nicaragua as co-pastor of Spanish language ministries. The Salinas Church of the Nazarene changed her name to Oasis Church of the Nazarene. In February 2003, the growing Spanish-speaking congregation was declared a fully organized church, formally creating the second congregation of Nazarenes in Salinas.
Upon the official organization of the Spanish-speaking congregation, the English-speaking congregation determined that it would be best to multiply the ministries and move to a section of the city inhabited by more English speakers. The English-speaking congregation left the building, with a rental arrangement with her daughter church. It was the hope of the English-speaking congregation that her daughter church would someday buy the building. In March 2003, the English-speaking congregation relocated to the northwestern quadrant of the city, renting Kammann Elementary School as her new worship center. The English-speaking changed her name to Salinas New Life Church of the Nazarene, to distinguish herself from Oasis Church. New Life Church found herself challenged to embrace her newer community. The leadership led the congregation through a Refocus study, affirming new vision and values. As this process led the congregation to minister to young families, a Pastor of Student Ministries was called in August 2003.
The congregation met at Kammann School until the summer of 2006. Due to a decline in attendance and finances, the worship services were moved to the large room in the rented office at 1164 Monroe Street, Suite 5. At the close of 2007, the Oasis Church stopped renting from New Life Church. New Life chose to sell the Sanborn property, believing that a Spanish-speaking ministry was best for that part of the city. In 2008 the Sanborn property was sold to the City of Salinas.
On December 23, 2011 New Life Church closed escrow on her new Worship Center at 800 North Main Street. The New Life Church family believes that their best days are yet to come.
