CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Members of Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church celebrated their 60^th anniversary in Citrus Heights on Sunday, November 20^th with a cake cutting ceremony between services and a fond look back at shared memories with an eye towards the future.

Pastor Bob Yule is celebrating 27 years as a pastor of Celtic Cross this month, serving his congregation for almost half its history.

Reflecting its philosophy of “Real People, Real Stories,” Celtic Cross is a growing community of people committed to following Jesus Christ.

“Our goal is to be a church that raises up entire families in discipleship and empowers people to be messengers of Christ in their community,” Yule said.

Celtic Cross offers both in-person services and services by livestream, Yule said.

Church member Norm Allen, 90, his wife Carol, and their four children first joined Celtic Cross in 1963. He looked at a black and white photo of himself and Carol as young parents, with fondness.

“I’ve been blessed,” he said.

“Norm and I were very active in nearly all aspects of the church from the beginning,” recalled Carol Allen. “Celtic Cross is known for its friendliness as well as its love for our Lord, Jesus Christ. It always will be,” he said.

In September 1963, the Allens came to Celtic Cross for a church service at 11 am, not knowing the service started at 9 or 9:30. They went to another church with their four young children where they weren’t made to feel welcome and came back to Celtic Cross the next week. Two of their children’s families still call Celtic Cross home.

Yule and Allen also posed for a photograph in the office lobby where they were surrounded by framed photos of multiple generations of church members who have participated in its missions and activities through the years.

Celtic Cross was organized as a presbyterian church on February 25, 1962, within the bounds of the Presbytery of Sacramento. Rev. Frank von Christierson was installed as the first pastor of Celtic Cross Church, and the first multi-purpose unit was built and dedicated on a 4.5-acre site located at 5839 Dewey Drive in Citrus Heights.

Its physical footprint has expanded steadily with the addition of a new Christian education building which was dedicated in February 1965. By 1966, membership within Celtic Cross more than doubled.

By the early 1980s, an architect was hired to draw up plans for a new sanctuary/administrative building. When Celtic Cross celebrated its 25^th anniversary, in 1987, Celtic Cross broke ground for Phase 1 building – the administrative core and parking lot expansion. All five original pastors who served Celtic Cross from 1962-1987, including Rev. Robert V. Ball, interim pastor during 1986, were participants in this service.

Additional construction followed with the completion and dedication of the administration and Celtic Cross-shaped sanctuary for occupancy in March 1989.

Celtic Cross Pastor Bob and Patty Yule and their son, Josh, make their home in Fair Oaks. He describes the 27 years which he’s served as pastor of Celtic Cross as being especially fulfilling for himself and his family.

“I’m thankful for the people of Celtic Cross who have shared the gospel of God’s love,” Yule said to those attending the 9 am service. “Our church is not a building, but of people truly coming together to fully share the gospel in our community.”

Celtic Cross offers a 9 am Traditional Service and a 10:30 am Modern Service with a kids and youth program.

Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church is located at 5839 Dewey Drive in Citrus Heights. For more information visit: CelticCross.Church or call 916-967-1414.