Who We Are
Welcome to Elsinore First, where our mission is to “Connect people to God, each other, and our community”.
We are a family-friendly church striving to become like the Christian church described in the Bible in Acts 2.
We are a church with relevant teaching, honest friendships, heart-felt worship that expresses our love for God, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere where God changes lives.
More than a church, we are a church family.
Elsinore First is a church where families have fun while they grow in faith, where we can be casual, comfortable, and real, and where we roll up our sleeves to serve, learn, worship, and eat together – often!
We look forward to meeting you soon.
Please feel free to visit this coming Sunday.
Pastors Gary & Raquel Montoya
OUR HISTORY
1939-1956
Elsinore First was founded June 21, 1939 by Rev. A.W. Schmidt and pastored by Rev. H.A. Pegg the first year before Rev. Walter Larson took over in July of 1940. It was first located in an old American Legion Hall at the corner of Spring and Peck streets.
1957-1979
In 1957, EFA purchased a new plot of land at Riverside and Gunnerson Streets under the ministry of Rev. Ralph Love, who pastored EFA from 1948-1957. The new church building was dedicated on June 6, 1964 under Rev. L.L. Ammons. This beautiful building flooded three times between 1978 and 1980, causing the building to be condemned. The church then met for the next 2 ½ years at Machado Elementary School.
1980-1991
In 1980, ten acres was purchased on Grand Avenue. Rev. Willard Smith oversaw the building program, and what we now know as our Chapel Building was dedicated on October 31, 1981. Rev. Smith pastored until his death in 1991.
1991-2025
In May of 1991, Rev. Fred Rodriguez became the Lead Pastor of Elsinore First. Under the leadership of Pastor Fred, the congregation outgrew the beautiful facility the Rev. Smith had built, and another building program ensued.
June 2025 - Present
Pastor Gary Montoya became the Lead Pastor. The Elsinore First story is not about buildings; it is about people. The heart of our church has always been to reach “the least of these”. It is his heart to continue that mission, alongside his wife Raquel and daughter Neriah.