About Us

Grace Presbyterian Church Welcomes All

  • We are Living and giving in the Tice Valley – now for more than 64 years and counting.
  • We are your neighbors and our sense of community is strong. Our congregation is friendly and welcoming of newcomers.
  • We are an extended family—nurturing seniors, families, and individuals from all walks of life.
  • We share our faith—in a comfortable, open manner with positive theology that celebrates Christ’s love.
  • We reach out to others—supporting local and global missions, promoting interfaith conversation and social justice.

Welcome Statement

We welcome and celebrate all who join us—the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the gay and the straight, the strong and the weak, the meek and the brave—and though we are different one from another, we are united in loving and praising God and in loving each other.

Mission Statement

Guided by the Holy Spirit, with open minds and hearts, we celebrate and share the love of Jesus Christ, and are instruments of God’s grace, and peace. Click here to view the Mission Booklet.

A Brief History

Grace Presbyterian Church was founded in 1958 to serve the growing population of Walnut Creek. Retired founding pastor, the Rev. Robert Williams, served the church as Pastor Emeritus before passing away in 2021. Retired Associate Pastor, Charie Reid also serves as Pastor Emerita. The second Senior Pastor, the Rev. Roger Reaber retired in 2018. Our third Senior Pastor, the Rev. Mark Burnham, began his tenure in April 2020 in the midst of the global pandemic crisis. In response to this crisis, Grace offers our first ever on-line worship experience.

Today the church continues to serve the Tice Valley, other local communities and global mission efforts. All are welcome to worship and to join us for a special activity at the Church. We are known for our friendly and welcoming congregation and we hope you will feel at home here. 

Our Story in Pictures

Summer 1959. Model of the proposed sanctuary is on display.
Construction begins on the Library wing. Shown is the sanctuary cross being built. In the foreground is Betsy Williams in the red coat.
Early 1960’s – Hwy 24 is modernized bringing more people to the East Bay.
1963 Rossmoor Leisure World opens.
Ground breaking in 1961 for the new John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. Rev. Bob Williams is pictured far right.
1980 ground breaking for Oak Room construction.
Grace Cooperative Preschool opens in 1970 with Charie Reid as it’s first Director.
Rev. Bob Williams (left) shown with church youth group in the 1970’s
1976 Scout Master and founding Grace Church member, Dick Pierce, shown with Troop 302. Grace has a long history of supporting the Scouts.
Rev. Charie Reid is ordained and serves as Associate Pastor.
Rev. Bob Williams at work. 1980’s
Office wing is built early 1980’s
Roger Reaber (as pastoral intern) and Charie Reid. Early 1990’s
Rev. Bill Llewelyn, Parish Associate. 1980’s.
Rev. Roger Reaber (far left) is called to be the new senior pastor after the retirement of Rev. Bob Williams.
Liturgical drama. Rita Chorne, Barbara Odell, Lavenia Black (far left), Jan Zimmerman (front right.)
2000’s Grace Church is known for hospitality. El Nungesser (foreground) enjoys the annual Advent Tea, held since the 1960’s. Grace holds regular concerts, luncheons and other special and educational events.
From 2011 through 2017, “Rossmoor Friends of Grace” held social gatherings at the Dollar Clubhouse in Rossmoor to introduce our neighbors in Rossmoor. Reta Wilcox checks in guests at a western barbecue themed party.
Charie Reid retires 2013. Pictured: Rev. Roger Reaber, Rev. Bob Williams (Pastor Emeritus) and Rev. Charie Reid.
Karen Hastings-Flegel, former Pastoral Intern, is ordained in 2016.
2018 Rev. Roger Reaber retires after 26 years as Senior Pastor.
2020 Rev. Mark Burnham called as new Senior Pastor. Shown left to right: Rev. Charie Reid and Rev. Bob Williams (Pastors Emeriti), Rev. Mark Burnham, Rev. Karen Hastings-Flegel.