In 2026, Grace Community Church in North Fork is marking a remarkable milestone—80 years of service, fellowship, and deep roots in the mountain community.
The church’s story dates back to 1946, when a small but determined group of residents came together to establish a place of worship in the area. At the center of that effort was the church’s first pastor, Marvin Dick, who balanced his pastoral duties while working full-time at Goodwin Lumber. His commitment, along with that of many others, helped lay the foundation for what would become a lasting part of North Fork’s community fabric.
In those early days, services were held at the local Forest Service Clubhouse, rented for just $5 per month. But even then, the vision extended far beyond a temporary meeting space. Plans were already underway to create a permanent home for the congregation along Road 200.
That vision took shape in a way that still stands out today. Rather than constructing a building from scratch, the church purchased an army chapel from an base in Lodi, California, for $1,100. What followed was a true community effort. The structure was carefully disassembled piece by piece, transported over the course of several months, and then reassembled in North Fork.
Church members played a hands-on role in every step of the process. John and Mrs. Peck temporarily relocated to Lodi to oversee the dismantling of the chapel, preparing sections for transport each week. Meanwhile, volunteers from North Fork would drive down with their own trucks, load up the materials, and bring them back up the mountain.
Many local families contributed to the effort, including Marvin and Elizabeth Dick, the Pecks, Clethea Haigue, Mildred Morley, Ivy DeMoss, Bob and Evelyn Cunningham, Fern Best, Connie De Silva, the Radman family, and Carl Robb. For longtime residents, these names may still echo through generations as part of the area’s shared history.
One moment captured in church archives highlights both the challenges and the spirit of cooperation that defined the project. While volunteers struggled to raise the chapel’s large ceiling beams, a passing Pacific Gas and Electric crew noticed the effort, stopped to help, and quickly got the job done—finishing the work by noon.
Now, eight decades later, Grace Community Church remains more than just a building. It stands as a testament to perseverance, collaboration, and the kind of neighborly support that continues to define life in North Fork.
As the church celebrates its 80th anniversary, it also honors the people who made it possible—those who built not just a structure, but a lasting place for community, faith, and connection in the Sierra foothills.
Look for more articles to come out in this series that honors the history of Grace Community Church…a local, long-time house of worship in the North Fork community.
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