History of the North County Church of Christ 
(formerly known as the 7th and Orange Church of Christ) 
Escondido, California

On August 14, 1944, the church of Christ in Escondido began meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Badders on Oak Hill Drive and San Pasqual Road with about 12 members. In February of 1946, the church began meeting at the Women's Club building on South Broadway. Eugene Winter (father of David and Paul) preached during 1946 and again in 1957. Raymond Gibbs (Steve's father) preached from 1948 through 1952. The first elders were A. P. Creed (David and Paul Winter's grandfather), W. L. Hockett and W. E. Flint.

In March, 1949 the church completed a building on the corner of 7th Avenue and Orange Street and had a membership of about 40. A dwelling for the preacher was built next door to the building in 1952. From 1953 to 1955, Glen Lundy (Clell's father) was a full-time minister, followed by Walter Bostick and Paul Nunn. During that time, the elders were W. L. Hockett, Joe Wilson and Joe Smith (Anita Bender's grandfather and the great uncle of Barbara Brinley and Dorothy Lundy). Membership grew to about 200. A new auditorium was completed in 1955 and a classroom building was added in 1960.

In the early 1960's Robert Todd, then Walter Fennel served as preachers. Raymond Gibbs, James Barron, Eugene Winter, Thaddeus Bookout (Steve Gibbs’ grandfather) and Marion Eubank (Merry McDuff’s father) served as elders. Some of the deacons during that time were George Havins (Darrell's father and the brother of Barbara Brinley and Dorothy Lundy), James Gibbs and Delane Brinley (brother of Bill Brinley and father of Tim).

During the 40's, 50's and 60's, the 7th and Orange church supported many works including the Ontario Children's Home, churches in Encinitas, Vista, Perris, Oceanside, Hemet, El Centro, and Ramona. Three families went to Poway to establish a church there (George and Cleo Havins, Ron and Linda Brumley and James and JoAnn Gibbs). When James and JoAnn returned to 7th and Orange, Clell and Dorothy Lundy went to Poway. Later James and JoAnn served in Ramona for a year.

Our congregation also helped support Eugene Winter's ministry in Pittsfield, Il. and the Herald of Truth television program. Foreign missions contributions went to Tijuana, Mexico, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Ethiopia, World Radio and others.

In 1969, Bill Watts, former missionary to New Zealand, came to preach and later returned to New Zealand, after which David Desha served as minister. Elders in 1970's included David Desha, Ben McCoin, James Gibbs, Raymond Gibbs, and Clell Lundy. Deacons during those years included Mike Allard (Joshua's father), David Winter, Tom Bankhead (Marilyn's late husband), Ron Reutlinger (Diana Simpson's father) and Paul Winter. Bill Reeves (Carole Grippo's grandfather) preached here briefly before his illness and death in 1981.

In the early 1970's about 12 families left 7th and Orange and in 1972 became known as the Oak Hill Church of Christ, and are still meeting on Oak Hill Drive today.

During 1979 and 1980, there was a lively campus ministry with Barry Beatty and Kevin Wise working on the campus of Palomar Community College in San Marcos. In August, 1981 a group left 7th and Orange and formed the Palomar Church of Christ in San Marcos, where they continue to meet today.

During the 1980's, those who served as preachers were Reggie Green, Jeff Trujillo and Doyle Eaton (Charlie’s father). Kevin Wise continued to work with college students and later as a full-time minister. The church trained several college interns. That was a time of evangelistic fervor and growth.

In December, 1987, the church employed Manuel Magos to work with the newly begun Spanish ministry. Manuel's wife Julie is the daughter of Glenn and Janice Kramar, former missionaries to Peru. The Spanish ministry, though meeting separately, is a vital part of the Escondido church. In 1991, the 7th and Orange church supported a team of four families to establish a congregation in Tijuana, Baja California. Raye Kramar, former missionary to Colombia, trained the team and directed the work under the Escondido leadership.

During 1990 and 1991, Jim Allen, Steve Keller and Kelly Beatty served in various ministries. Jim Krause served as preacher in 1992 and 1993. Elders during that time were Richard Cravy, Jim Griffith, James Gibbs, Doyle Eaton, Dick McFarland and David Winter.

Having outgrown the building on 7th and Orange, the church leased a facility in San Marcos in April, 1994 and became known as the North County Church of Christ. During that time Richard Cravy, Doyle Eaton and others preached. Al Pickering served from 1995 through 1997. 

In 1998 the church purchased a large sports facility in Escondido and moved in with remodeling still in progress. At that time, the elders were Doyle Eaton, Dick McFarland, Manuel Magos and David Winter. That same year Tim and Debbie Martin came to work with the church. They had worked with the Tabernacle, NJ church and had been missionaries to Vienna, Austria. 

Space doesn't permit listing all the wonderful brothers and sisters who have served this body over the years in the children's, teen, and college ministries, as well as many deacons and effective ministry leaders. Who we are today is a result of the faithful work and service of so many servants who have loved the Kingdom of God in Escondido since 1944 (Eph 4:16). We owe a debt of gratitude and honor to all of them, whether still among us or at home with their Lord. They proclaimed the gospel, honored God’s Word, and blazed a trail of evangelism, service, and missions – and they will receive their reward. I Pet.5:4

Every so often we have a ministry fair to let everyone know about the different ways they can serve the church and the community. We encourage all of our members to participate and use their gifts to glorify God. Please take a moment to download this brochure (in pdf format) and see where you fit in. If you can think of other ways for you to serve, let us know as we are more then willing to help you get started.

Ministry Fair Brochure