Northern California and Nevada Assemblies of God District Superintendent Dr. Samuel Huddleston presents Pastor Ed Melton, right, accompanied by his wife, Debbie Melton, center, with an award recognizing the centennial of Christian Life Assembly Church in Gridley. Photo by Seti Long

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley’s Christian Life Assembly Church celebrated 100 years of ministry with a two-day centennial celebration last weekend.

A special service was held Sept. 19 at 4:30 p.m., followed by another Sept. 20 at 10 a.m., featuring guest speakers who shared personal memories and experiences from their years with the church.

Previous pastors joined current Pastor Ed Melton and his wife, Debbie Melton, in honoring the church’s history in Gridley, spanning from its one-room beginnings to its current campus on Humble Avenue.

A young couple looks through displays chronicling the history of Christian Life Assembly during the church’s centennial celebration. Photo by Seti Long

Debbie Melton shared the history of the church, explaining how founding members, evangelists Ralph Herman Davis and his wife, Mia, began their ministry in a house on High Street by inviting people inside to speak about God.

According to Melton, property at the corner of Park and Cedar streets in Gridley was purchased Sept. 11, 1924, for the purpose of establishing a church. Soon after, the church was incorporated with the state of California as Gridley Assembly of God.

“Over the following decades, the church’s name would shift as well,” Melton said, outlining the evolution of the church’s name from Gridley Pentecostal Church for a brief time, through multiple variations of Gridley Assembly of God and finally to its current name, Christian Life Assembly.

Pastors and their wives returned to Christian Life Assembly to celebrate the church’s 100th anniversary. From left are Dwayn and Judy Speers, Renee and Ron Fortenberry, Philip and Venetta Bigler, Pastor Ed and Debbie Melton, and Marceline and Dwight Deaton. Photo courtesy of Debbie Melton

The church has been led by 31 pastors throughout its history, including Ralph Davis, Gary Kuykendall, Randy Lindvall, Dwight Deaton and current Pastor Ed Melton.

The church also produced leaders of its own, including Pastor Dave Baker, who joined the Sunday service as a guest speaker. Baker shared stories of growing up in the congregation before following his own calling to preach.

Several longtime members and church leaders were recognized during the celebration.

Ed Melton received an award on behalf of the church from Dr. Sam Huddleston, Northern California and Nevada Assemblies of God district superintendent, recognizing the church’s centennial and Melton’s leadership.

Shirley Pinion, left, pictured with her family, was honored for 65 years of service in women’s ministries and children’s Sunday school. Photo by Seti Long

Former Pastor Dwight Deaton and his wife, Marceline, were honored for 18 years of service, the longest pastoral tenure in the church’s history. Shirley Pinion was recognized for 65 years of service in women’s ministries and children’s Sunday school.

Ed Melton, who has been part of the church since birth, spoke about the significance of the milestone and the generations of members who helped sustain the congregation.

“Some of the faces that I look out on were here through these times and times before I was ever here,” Melton said. “And today we celebrate 100 years of ministry. I’m reminded that none of us are standing here because of our own strength. We are all here because generation after generation chose to be faithful.”

The program for Christian Life Assembly’s centennial celebration pays tribute to the congregation’s original church building, where members worshipped as the Assembly of God Church. Photo by Seti Long

Following the speakers, guests viewed a slideshow featuring historical images of the church and its members throughout the years. Organizers also displayed photographs, historical deeds and articles of incorporation for guests to review.

The celebration concluded with a catered luncheon and music.

Christian Life Assembly is located at 1526 Humble Ave. in Gridley and holds weekly services at 10:30 a.m.