Who We Are
Location, Formation and History
Shell Ridge Community Church is a progressive American Baptist Church located in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. The church sets on a beautiful property near downtown Walnut Creek and adjacent to the John Muir Medical Center and the Shell Ridge Open Space area, which is the largest open space area of the city, containing 1,400 acres of ridges and valleys great for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Shell Ridge Community Church was founded on Pentecost Day in 1974 from the merging of two area Baptist churches. Numerous American Baptist congregations were “planted” in Contra Costa County in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, including Pleasant Hill Community Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill and Valley Baptist Church in Walnut Creek. These two congregations flourished in varying degrees, but by the early 1970’s, each church faced challenges that led them to uniting. 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. Today, Shell Ridge continues in its tradition of bringing people together for the purpose of worship, service, learning and fellowship.
For nearly 50 years SRCC has fostered uplifting and inclusive worship services together with ministry to those in need. Additionally, personal and spiritual growth is valued as a life-long endeavor at Shell Ridge so that our concerns for social justice and human rights are a regular part of our learning and progress.
All are Welcome and What You Will Find at Shell Ridge
Shell Ridge is a small, dedicated congregation that supports ministry within the national ministries of the ABC-USA denomination, within its West Coast association of churches (Evergreen Association of Baptist Churches), and in its local neighborhoods here in the East Bay.
Whether you have extensive church experience or have rarely been to church you are welcome here. We are a progressive American Baptist Church with members from various religious backgrounds, traditions and beliefs. We are a non-creedal church having no requirements for specific beliefs in God. Biblical interpretation is an exercise in personal autonomy as we share with each other our perspectives and values. We look at the Bible critically and place it at the center of our worship and spiritual life as a guide and comfort in our faith journeys.
Shell Ridge is a "Welcoming & Affirming" Congregation that welcomes all LGBTQ persons here at Shell Ridge and supports these concerns in the broader community. We also belong to the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County and the Multi-Faith Action Coalition. Each year we collaborate with a dozen or more congregations across multiple religious faiths to serve those in need of access to food. We work together to provide substantial food support for low-income families in Contra Costa County who need assistance during the December school break when students do not receive school meals.
At Shell Ridge you will find a welcoming community that treats one another like family. We are here for each other and offer generous support to one another. We are committed to fairness, equality and kindness as we seek to be God's hands in our community and in the world.
Location, Formation and History
Shell Ridge Community Church is a progressive American Baptist Church located in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. The church sets on a beautiful property near downtown Walnut Creek and adjacent to the John Muir Medical Center and the Shell Ridge Open Space area, which is the largest open space area of the city, containing 1,400 acres of ridges and valleys great for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Shell Ridge Community Church was founded on Pentecost Day in 1974 from the merging of two area Baptist churches. Numerous American Baptist congregations were “planted” in Contra Costa County in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, including Pleasant Hill Community Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill and Valley Baptist Church in Walnut Creek. These two congregations flourished in varying degrees, but by the early 1970’s, each church faced challenges that led them to uniting. 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. Today, Shell Ridge continues in its tradition of bringing people together for the purpose of worship, service, learning and fellowship.
For nearly 50 years SRCC has fostered uplifting and inclusive worship services together with ministry to those in need. Additionally, personal and spiritual growth is valued as a life-long endeavor at Shell Ridge so that our concerns for social justice and human rights are a regular part of our learning and progress.
All are Welcome and What You Will Find at Shell Ridge
Shell Ridge is a small, dedicated congregation that supports ministry within the national ministries of the ABC-USA denomination, within its West Coast association of churches (Evergreen Association of Baptist Churches), and in its local neighborhoods here in the East Bay.
Whether you have extensive church experience or have rarely been to church you are welcome here. We are a progressive American Baptist Church with members from various religious backgrounds, traditions and beliefs. We are a non-creedal church having no requirements for specific beliefs in God. Biblical interpretation is an exercise in personal autonomy as we share with each other our perspectives and values. We look at the Bible critically and place it at the center of our worship and spiritual life as a guide and comfort in our faith journeys.
Shell Ridge is a "Welcoming & Affirming" Congregation that welcomes all LGBTQ persons here at Shell Ridge and supports these concerns in the broader community. We also belong to the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County and the Multi-Faith Action Coalition. Each year we collaborate with a dozen or more congregations across multiple religious faiths to serve those in need of access to food. We work together to provide substantial food support for low-income families in Contra Costa County who need assistance during the December school break when students do not receive school meals.
At Shell Ridge you will find a welcoming community that treats one another like family. We are here for each other and offer generous support to one another. We are committed to fairness, equality and kindness as we seek to be God's hands in our community and in the world.