Our history
Our History
By the turn of the 20th century The Church of Christ had infiltrated and expanded into Long beach, California. With the Lord’s help Vanderbilt Lewis was instrumental in the establishing of The Church of Christ on California St. which eventually moved to its current location on Myrtle Avenue.
Aided by Others such C.D. Beverly, L.O. Alexander, the English family, W.D. Sweet and Sister Marks, under the sponsorship of the Figueroa Church of Christ with the approval of R.N. Hogan.
Vanderbilt was the first minister, serving from 1948 to 1954. Between the years of 1948 and 2005 the congregation has had seven ministers: Van Lewis (1948 – 1954); L.O. Alexander (1954 – 1956); Walter Boykin (1956 – 1991); Marshall Moultry (1992 – 1997); John L. Leggett (1992 – 1997), whom shared dual ministry with L. Marshall Moultry; James Webb (1997 – 2005), whom also shared a dual ministry with L. Marshall Moultry for approximately two years before Moultry became the minister at The Imperial Church of Christ. (1)
With a yearning to return to California by our current minister James E. Brooks Sr. (Originally from Longview, Texas). Moved his family (his wife Regina and children Afton and James Jr.) From Houston, Texas, where under the tutelage of Richard Barclay, minister of the Kashmere Gardens Church of Christ brother Brooks began his preaching ministry in the month of December of 1998. The following week after preaching his first sermon brother Brooks humbly accepted the challenge to minister to the Riverside COC from 1998-2001. Thereafter, he took on the task of ministering to the Hufsmith Church of Christ during the years of 2001-2005. Having now been our minister since October 2005. The family here at Myrtle Avenue COC is committed to aiding and assisting brother Brooks in upholding the Myrtle Avenue Church of Christ mantra “Strengthening Families & Strengthening Faith” To God's Glory!