WHCC History

About US <<  History

1961 - We are a church plant from Portland First Covenant Church. About 25 members from that church meet in homes and call Donald Pearson to be their pastor.

1962 - West Hills Covenant builds its first sanctuary (now the chapel).

1971 - The church sets Pastors Randy Roth and Ted Nordlund free to follow their vision to be co-pastors. Fresh out of seminary, Roth and Nordlund agree to share the salary of one pastor, and their families live together in the church parsonage. We establish a reputation as a church that finds creative solutions to difficult challenges.

1979 - The congregation outgrows the chapel. West Hills holds services at the Alpenrose Dairy down the street while we build a new sanctuary. (No, we did not share space with the cows.)

Early 80s - An exciting time of growth for the church. West Hills becomes a prominent congregation in the greater Portland church community.

We are known for our hearty teaching and unconventional approach to worship. Our pastors are consulted as authorities on citywide religious issues.

Late 80s early 90s - The Nordlund/Roth team comes to an end, as both move on to serve other churches.

1991 - We call Kent Egging to serve as co-pastor.

1994 - We remodel the church, adding much needed office space, a nursery and a welcoming narthex.

1999 - Following a decade of profound change, the church senses God calling us in a new direction. We fall to our knees in a concerted effort to hear God's voice.

2000 - We call Marty Williams to serve as Associate Pastor, and Mark Arnett as Minister of Worship, Music and the Arts.

2002-03 - We call Luke Pederson to serve as Pastor. Both Pastor Marty and Pastor Kent move on to other places of service. Mark Arnett broadens his ministry at West Hills to include discipleship.

2005 - We say goodbye to our Worship Pastor, Mark Arnett as he continues his graduate education.