Shell Ridge Community Church

As a Progressive Christian faith community, Shell Ridge Community Church has its roots in the eastward flow of people into the suburbs from the East Bay cities following World War II. Numerous American Baptist congregations were “planted” in Central Costa County in the late 40’s and early 50’s, including Pleasant Hill Community Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill and Valley Baptist Church in Walnut Creek. Each church had a unique personality. The Pleasant Hill church was a bit looser and more community-based, while the Walnut Creek church was more formal and strictly organized. These two congregations flourished in varying degrees for a full generation.

By the early 1970’s, each church faced challenges that led them to consider uniting. On Pentecost Sunday 1974, the two churches joined as one and American Baptist Community Church was born. The two existing properties were sold and the new congregation purchased land on La Casa Via in Walnut Creek. In August of 1979 the church moved to its new location where it remains today. In 1996, the church changed its name to Shell Ridge Community Church.