History

In 1974, Reverend Philip Loh felt the need to start pioneer work again. In early 1975, Reverend Loh began to contact other pastors of the American Alliance Church in the Bay Area. Not only he received ardent help from them, but he was promised partial financial support from the District Office. On August 1, 1975, East Bay Alliance Church’s first Sunday Service took place at the Piedmont Neighborhood Church.

For the first two months, the congregation from the sister church in San Francisco (San Francisco Chinese Alliance Church) not only attended their Worship Service, but also the afternoon Service in the newly created church. They even provided financial aid that was enough for one year. The Lord provided a temporary place, prepared the Sunday School staff, women’s group, prayer group, youth fellowship, and house-to-house visitations. Financially, the church was subsidized by the Specialized Ministry of the C&MA Headquarters.

The second year, the congregation began to consider the fact that the temporary meeting place could not be a permanent home. Even though service was held at the Piedmont Neighborhood Church, all fellowship and small groups were held at the church members’ homes.

In October of 1976, Reverend Loh learned from an American pastor that the American Alliance Church in Berkeley was about to close and planned to sell the church property (which included its buildings and two acres of land). Reverend Loh immediately requested the District Office for permission to hold meetings there. On November 1, 1976, East Bay Alliance Church moved to Berkeley.  In the new site was a famous old mansion, designated by the Berkeley City Government as a historical landmark, which was forbidden to be demolished but it was in need of repairment.  With help of the congregation from the American Alliance Church and the San Francisco Chinese Alliance Church, the mansion was cleaned and repainted.  The entire property was then entrusted to the East Bay Alliance Church in 1977.

Early 1978, Reverend Loh was called by God to participate in the Chinese field work under specialized ministry of the Alliance Church. He then was elected as director of the Chinese field work, which had the responsibility of coordinating and pioneering Chinese ministry in North America. For the next few months, Brother Gerald Chao helped with the church ministry while Reverend Loh still volunteered to undertake partial pastoral responsibility.

In July of 1978, God sent Mr. and Mrs. Victor Chan to take over the position of Reverend Loh and to continue the ministry in East Bay Alliance Church. While Victor Chan diligently served as Pastor, his wife, Anita Chan, served as Christian Education director. Together, they developed and reinforced the various components of the church. On October 19, 1980, Pastor Chan was ordained by the Christian and Missionary Alliance.