The former Grace Presbyterian Church, while still in Paramount, was recognized as one of 300 "Outstanding Protestant Congregations" in the U.S. This happened in 2000, just before moving to the Lakewood First Presbyterian Church campus in Long Beach.

A two year study (funded by the Lilly Endowment) searched for excellence in local churches. "Grace Presbyterian was clearly the type of church we were looking for," said the study's director, Paul Wilkes, author and professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. "We looked for churches that nurtured the spirit, welcomed and yet challenged, both preached and - more importantly - lived the Good News. Grace Presbyterian is that kind of church."

The study is summarized in the book, Excellent Protestant Congregations: the Guide to Best Places and Practices, published by Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.  

Link to the Christian Century article.

Link to the list of all 300 churches at FindaGreatChurch.org.