In August 1959, a small group of Presbyterians met at the Jefferson School to discuss the possibility of a church in Gallup, and two months later, Dr. Paul Bobb (National Missions Committee of Rio Grande Presbytery chairperson) noted, “Presbytery this morning approved the National Missions Committee’s going ahead with the development of a Presbyterian Church in Gallup.” Presbytery assigned the Rev. W. Theodore Allison to provide leadership for the new church start-up group.

 

In early November, the Gallup Fellowship began worship services in the Lions’ Club building south of Gallup. Soon after that, at a Sunday evening potluck supper, an advisory committee formed.

 

At their first meeting, the advisory committee considered plans for a church building, a church school, budget needs, a name for the church, and a meeting place for the growing group. Shortly thereafter, the Fellowship moved into the Masonic Hall for a few Sunday services. The Sunday church school soon became a reality, with a full faculty.

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In January, the group moved back to the Lions’ Club building. Within months, Gallup Fellowship was approved by the Presbytery, and on Sunday, February 26, 1961 the church was officially chartered. Later that same year the Rev. Barrie Gray was installed.

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Over the church’s 50-plus year history, we have had the continued support, encouragement and fellowship of the First Presbyterian church of Grants, NM; the dedicated work of the Women’s Association; the church Youth Group; and the Mariners, who chartered with ten couples in 1963.

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At the first meeting held in 1959, the group read from Scriptures this passage of the apostle Paul’s instructions to new churches: “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grow into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22) May we continue to build upon the faithful foundation of those who have gone before us in the faith!