Our History
Below you can read about a brief history of Mountain Chapel from its first meeting in 1950 to the present. In December of 2025 we will be celebrating our 75 year anniversary.
Mountain Chapel
Mountain Chapel in Weaverville, California, began as a home missions church in August 1950, founded by Pastor Ray Oliver. It has since grown and moved locations, with a notable period under the leadership of Pastor Bill Johnson.
Key Historical Milestones:
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1950: Pastor Ray Oliver held the first meetings of the church.
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1963: The church was officially established as a home missions church under Pastor Harvey and purchased its first property and building on Highway 299.​
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1973-1977: Pastor Faouzi Arzouni served as pastor.
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1979: Pastor Bill and Beni Johnson began their ministry at the church. During their time, the congregation grew and eventually moved to a new location.
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1999: Pastors Danny & Sherry Silk led Mountain Chapel in Weaverville, CA, taking over from Pastor Bill and serving through the groundbreaking and construction of their current building in 1999
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Early 1980s: The original Highway 299 property was sold, and the church purchased its current home at 60 Oak Ridge Road.
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Interim Period: While saving funds for a new building, the church met in the community theater on Main Street.
1999: The church broke ground on its current building
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2001: Pastor Steve and Wendy Backlund arrived, shortly before the congregation moved into the new facility.
2008: Pastor Cameron and Shannon Ross replaced the Backlunds.
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2012: A ropes course was installed on the property, a project driven by Pastor Cameron Ross.
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2018: In June, senior pastors, Brandon and Amy Rice, took leadership of Mountain Chapel and continued through June of 2025.
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2025: In August, our current senior pastors, Mark and Pam Gering began leading. They are pressing into all the prophetic words and promises spoken over the church and believe that the Lord will do amazingly more than anyone could think or imagine.
The church is known in the region for its history of developing and sending out leaders, including its contributions to Bethel's schools, leading some to refer to it as "The Headwaters".