Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 12
February 16, 1961
NUMBER 40, PAGE 6b

New Congregation In Redondo Beach

Garner Bell, Redondo Beach, California

A new congregation of Christians began worshipping last April 10 on the western side of the city of Torrance, California. We meet at 18415 Burin Avenue in Torrance (one block west of Hawthorne Blvd. between 174th and 190th streets), and our members assemble from Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach, all of which are close by.

The nucleus of this new congregation was made up of members of the Hermosa Beach congregation, where I had been for a number of years, serving as one of the elders. When it became evident that the "sponsoring church" type of centralized operation was going to be forced upon us, together with church entertainments and recreation and other innovations of liberalism, many of us saw no alternative except to leave that congregation and seek to establish a church in the area which would be faithful to God's word. This was the occasion for the beginning of the Westside congregation.

At our first meeting last April we had nineteen present. Attendance and interest have grown steadily, and our attendance now is running well above fifty each Sunday. Our record thus far is 69. Brother Reuben Porter has graciously helped us by preaching each Sunday, declining to accept any support from us for his work since he provides for his needs by secular work.

We have been assisted by several faithful preachers in gospel meetings — brother R. D. Simmons of Corpus Christi, Texas, was with us in July; brother Floyd Thompson of Santa Ana was here in November; and brother Otis Moyer of San Jose will be with us in a meeting in the Spring.

Brother Walker Hembree of Shawnee, Oklahoma, began full time work with us on January 15, and we anticipate a fine work in the months ahead. If you are moving to this area, or live in this general section now, and would like to worship with us after the fashion of those first-century Christians, we would welcome you into our meetings. We would appreciate your letting friends and relatives know of the location of this congregation is 18415 Burin Avenue in Torrance.