Chico First Church of the Nazarene

Current photo of original Chico First and it's parsonage at 1301/1311 Broadway, Chico, CA

Alfred Clyde Forsman was born December 26, 1923 in Apple Valley, Idaho. He went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 20, 2014 in Chico, CA. Clyde moved to Chico from Eastern Oregon in 1953 and remained a resident until his death. He worked as a plumber for 35 years. He married Lorraine DeBoard on May 16, 1943. The couple celebrated their 70th anniversary last May. ... They had four children: Chuck (Kris), Don (Miriam), LaVonna (Gary Moore), and David, nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Clyde was a longtime member of the Chico Nazarene Church and served the church in many capacities, including as board member Sunday School teacher, and Sunday School bus driver. He was also very active in the construction of the present church facility at 1184 East Ave. Clyde was preceded in death by his father, Clarence, his mother, Viola, brothers Waldo, Louis, and Robert, sisters Betty, Doris, and Goldie, and daughter-in-law Vickie. He is survived by his wife Lorraine (1923-2018), his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and countless family and friends who were impacted and touched by his life.

Rev. James Monck & Family - 1976 (L-R) Jim II, Sharon, Tammie, Jim, Greg Monck

This is a photograph of the old Chico First Church of the Nazarene located at 13th and Broadway. (1301 Broadway)

This is a current photo of the old parsonage at 1311 Broadway.

Sanctuary interior.

Yesterday was a trip down memory lane. We are in Chico, CA, a city loaded with memories for me. Made a trip to Cohasset to look in on a couple old friends only... to discover they are both in heaven. Visited Chico (East Ave.) Church of the Nazarene where I was employed as Youth Pastor in the Fall of 1971. Imagine that! What wonderful days! Pastor Maurice Palmquist (Jay Palmquist) poured his ministry skills into me. His philosophy of ministry was work hard, pray hard and enjoy people! One Friday he said to me, "Well, I have made my 50 calls this week so I guess I will take the boys to the [auto] races this evening." That stayed with me. Work hard! In early 1972, Colleen Jeannette Miller came into my life. SO many stories. Yesterday I went over to her old apartment and took a couple pics. Precious memories! Then, Rowdy and I hiked the paths along Bidwell Creek near the Hooker Oak Park! I told him that nearly every Smith dog in the past 45 years has hiked this path! Nostalgia galore! Colleen and her sister, Karen Sandrowski are overnighting in Roseville. It's a sister-tradition. Shopping. Eating out. Movie. Last evening, Ted (Karen's husband), Neal Neuenburg, and I enjoyed dinner together. Neal is a good friend my my earliest pastoring days. He was Youth Pastor at Yuba City First Methodist Church when I was Sr. Pastor at Marysville Church of the Nazarene. For some reason he asked me to speak at a couple snow retreats for his youth group. The friendship has lasted all these years and he completed his formal ministry at Aldersgate Methodist here in Chico. That is where Karen and Ted attend. How does this kind of stuff happen? Anyway, great friendship and great conversation last evening! More trips down memory lane today!

Lots of folks visiting our old Chico First Church page. Would love to hear about your connections to this church! Have a wonderful Memorial weekend.

Orval Seago pastored from about 1964 to 1968. In 1966, the church moved from its downtown location at 13th and Broadway, to its present location at 1184 East Avenue. It was there that the congregation constructed a new parsonage and an educational building on adjacent parcels.... The educational building included classrooms, a large fellowship hall, and office space. The fellowship hall was used for worship, until the church built a new sanctuary in 1968. Orval Seago designed, and personally supervised, the construction of the parsonage, which was a "raised ranch" style architecture.