OUR STORY

On June 5, 1955, Pastor Oliver Siemens conducted the first service for Pacific Coast Church (originally named First Baptist Church of San Clemente) at the San Clemente Boat Club. He never anticipated how this small church family of twenty would prosper and grow in the seaside community of San Clemente.

After a few short years, God provided new leadership (Pastor Orville Burch) and a larger church site located in downtown San Clemente at 107 West Marquita. When Phil Smith was called to pastor PCC in 1969, the congregation was approaching 200. PCC’s strong Biblical foundation and desire to serve its church family and community created numerous ministry opportunities to glorify God and bless the San Clemente population. God called Pastor Smith to the mission field in the early 80’s where he continued to minister to the body of Christ and train future pastors in the Philippines and around the world. After Pastor Smith’s departure and the brief ministry of Pastor Steve Pearson, Denver Clark (a former missionary to South America) accepted the interim pastorate position. In 1986, he was called as the Senior Pastor. With the desire for church growth, Pastor Clark planted the vision for relocation of the church facility to its current location on Frontera.

In 1990, Pastor Clark entered into the presence of the Lord after a long battle with cancer. Associate Pastor Mike Fabarez assumed the position of Senior Pastor at that time and led the church body as it built a new and larger facility on a hillside overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Pastor Fabarez left PCC in 2005 but a large God-centered church family remained.

Under God’s leadership, guidance and provision, PCC continues to grow and prosper. The relocation boom to Southern California combined with the area’s desperate need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ has provided unique opportunities for this church to serve its body and community. On February 8th, 2006, Executive Pastor Mark Ambrose was installed by the Elders and church members of PCC as the new Lead Pastor to lead the faithful at PCC into the future. From a group of 20 believers to a congregation of more than 1,100, God has remained faithful to PCC during its history as we remain committed to reaching people for Christ, growing followers of Christ, and connecting together in Christ in San Clemente and around the world.