1925

Originally named the Japanese Presbyterian Church of Long Beach, the newly founded church and the Presbytery of Los Angeles dedicated the new building at 1333 Locust Avenue, downtown Long Beach on December 25. During the pioneering ministry of Rev. Kozo Itow this building was built at great cost and sacrifice by the Japanese American community (both church members and others) in Long Beach, most of whom were farmers and laborers.

1942

Wartime Evacuation necessitated the church’s closure. The Presbytery of Los Angeles rented the building to the Boys Club of Long Beach who modified the sanctuary into a Boys Club hall. 

1947

After the war members of the Japanese Presbyterian Church returned to Long Beach and reentered the church building for services on Sundays. The Boys Club refused to surrender use of the building.

1949

After years of effort with pressure from the Presbytery of Los Angeles, the Boys Club finally surrendered the building. The house of worship was restored to its original purpose.

1955

The Church name changed to Grace Presbyterian Church during the ministry of Rev. Nicholas Iyoya.

1965

The Church began a gradual but steady decline for the next 23 years.

1986

An aged and declining congregation could not sustain ministry on Locust Ave. Repeated vandalism and violence led to the congregation's willingness to seek a new location. Resources were limited and hope was low.

1987

Grace moved to the presbytery's vacant and dilapidated building at 8025 Somerset Blvd. in the neighboring city of Paramount. The building had been built by the former Faith United Presbyterian Church of Paramount. Faith United church declined to a dozen members and was dissolved at the end of 1986.
In 1987 Grace's worshipping congregation had declined to about 25. Faithful pastoral care was provided by the Rev. Darrell Meyers, part-time Interim Pastor; he was also part-time Interim Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Long Beach.

1988

Grace called a new full-time pastor, Rev. Steve Yamaguchi. He began on August 15 and noticed that day that the baptismal font was missing. It was lost since it had been so many years since the church had baptized someone. Average worship attendance was 25 senior adults.

1988

In October, little Erin Higgins was baptized at Grace using the rediscovered, restored and rededicated baptismal font.

1995

On Easter Sunday 24 were baptized during a glorious Easter worship celebration. The choir sang the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. A band led in worship; the pastor played the drums.

1998

Grace had outgrown the Paramount facility and began an earnest search for a new church property somewhere in the greater Long Beach region.

2000

Saturday, October21, a landmark 75th Anniversary Celebration was held at the Long Beach Aquarium. A private, catered event was organized by young adults. Prayer stations were set up throughout the Aquarium. A moving historical video was produced by Pastor Gerald Arata.

2000

December: Lakewood First Presbyterian Church welcomed Grace to its Long Beach campus for a temporary stay while Grace continued to search for a new property. Grace began Advent by worshipping at 4:00 p.m. on Sundays in a new location.

2002

July-August: Both congregations entered a “Season of Discernment” for a New Creation (see page for description).

2002

September-October: The next step was a “Season of Discovery” for a New Creation

2002

November 24. Both congregations approved the merger. The effective date would be January 1, 2003

2002

December 22. The new church chose a new name: GRACE FIRST Presbyterian Church. This new name incorporated elements of both the former "GRACE" and the former "Lakewood FIRST" Presbyterian Churches.

2003

January 1. GRACE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was born!