Osborne Neighborhood Church

As you have probably realized by now, if you've been following my blog, Osborne Neighborhood Church was a big part of my life as a kid.

The church opened in 1952, when I was almost four years old. We had been going to another church close to our home, but Pastor Jack Stiles came around door to door inviting people to a new church that was opening just down the street from our house. Seriously. Seven houses down, cross Arleta Avenue, past a field and two houses and there we were. Definitely within walking distance. But I digress.

My family was there on the opening day. We met in a tiny little chapel that probably held 30 people or so. There was a little entry way that was probably 8 x 8 and then swinging double doors that got you into the chapel. That first Sunday, I remember Nancy Stiles (the pastor's daughter who was about nine) standing at the door passing out hymnals to everyone.

We started at Osborne and never looked back. My dad became a deacon, and as the building expanded into first the sanctuary and then the fellowship hall and Christian education classrooms, my dad helped build those buildings with his own hands. My mom taught Sunday school and directed junior choir and for a few years was in charge of Vacation Bible School.

Osborne was a great church to grow up in. It was comprised of many young families with kids about the same age. Also many seasoned Christian saints who had been missionaries or in other types of ministry. We were surrounded by lots of people who invested time and effort to minister to all of the children and young people.

We had wonderful experiences as teenagers with outings, camp, Bible study, and teen choir. There was always something for us to be a part of and it was because of the tireless efforts of so many volunteers who made it all happen. We also had Youth Pastors along the way.

No church is perfect, and Osborne certainly had its flaws, but there were some really good people there who knew how to love.