Rio Grande Presbyterian Church
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RIO GRANDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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​Rio Grande PC turned 70 in 2017 !!
Rio Grande Presbyterian Church was the first church to be organized under the “New Life” postwar expansion effort of the Presbyterian Church at the end of World War II.   The church was organized as Lavaland Community Church on January 5, 1947 (Betty Corliss, “A History of Rio Grande Presbyterian Church”), changed  to Rio Grande Presbyterian Church, with the tagline, “Serving the Entire Westside”when 45 charter members began meeting at the old two-room Lavaland School on Albuquerque's West Mesa.   At the time, it was the only Protestant church on the West Mesa, and members came from many denominations.  Rev. Albert W. Barber arrived on July 24, 1947, and the first session was held on August 22, 1947.  By 1948, the membership had grown to 68 members.   In 1952, the name of the church was changed to Lavaland Presbyterian Church.  Efforts to build a new church building began in 1961.  At that time the name was changed to Rio Grande Presbyterian Church. 
The congregation contemplated purchasing land for the new church adjacent to the Lavaland Church on 58th Street; however, the decision was made to purchase land at Coors Road and Daytona.  Financing was acquired in 1965, and ground breaking took place on Sunday, December 12, 1965.  The new sanctuary was dedicated on October 16, 1966.  The first pastor of Rio Grande Presbyterian Church was Rev. J. M. Young.  In 1971 the congregation took steps to wean itself from mission support in order to become self-supporting.  On its 40th anniversary, Rio Grande was free of debt and had a membership of 107.  The Christian Education Wing was dedicated in February 1983.  The Rio Grande Food Project, now a city-wide non-profit, which partners with Roadrunner Food Bank and the Store House, gives over 7 tons of food/week to those in need, and has been in operation since 1992.  We are a congregation who loves Christ and seeks to show His love and hospitality to others.   
                           If you'd like to volunteer at the Food Project, or need food, contact Lisa Fernandez, Volunteer Coordinator,
                                                                           
or Ariel Herring, Food Project Director, at 831-3778. 


We Would Love to Have You Visit!
​This is the website: riograndechurch.org


 Weekly & Monthly Events Sunday Worship 10 am 

 Meetings Resume in October:
Adult Bible Study: 9:15 am, Sundays in the library. 


Men's Fellowship Group
2nd Saturdays, 
8:30-10am in church library  Coffee and pastries served.
John Landman, leader
​
​Worship Team Meeting, 
help us plan and prepare for Worship Sundays and special days in the Church Year. 
 Marsha Bedell, Chairperson 

Rio Grande Choir
Like to Sing? Let Marsha Bedell Know! Practice Thursdays, 10am; and Sundays, before Worship,
​at 9:00 am

Youth Planning & Partnership 

Contact: Melissa Espalin Jafet
at lofioutreach@gmail.com        for more info


       
COME WORSHIP WITH US! 
Rio Grande Presbyterian Church
600 Coors BLVD NW
SUNDAYS AT 10:00 AM

(1-mile south of the I-40 S. Coors Exit)
Albuquerque, New Mexico  87121

505-831-1143
 All Welcome!
​
Volunteer in the Rio Grande Food Project
That distributes 7 tons of food/week for those in need. 
Email Lisa Fernandez, volunteer recruiter at lisa@rgfp.org 


Garden with the Church and Community Garden
on the north side of the church.
Contact Kathi Cunningham at kathi@rgfp.org
in the Rio Grande Food Project. Kathi will be overseeing the church garden this summer.  We thank Virginia Gaddis for doing this over 30 years. 


We offer a Gently Used Clothing Ministry
Wednesdays & Fridays from 9-11AM at Church
Need more info? Contact Mission Chairperson: 505-831-2063



A big "Welcome" to Melissa Espalin Jafet who will continue as Rio Grande's Administrative Assistant and as the new Youth Group Leader for the Youth Pilot Program.  You can reach her at lofioutreach@gmail.com

Email

Pastor Linda 
  • Home
  • About
  • History
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact
  • "Grace Notes in the Desert"
  • Past Sermons & Messages
  • "La Luminaria"