Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church (MVPC) began in 1961 when Moraga was a new residential community. The congregation first met in a school, then acquired its current hillside property. In its first ten years, MVPC became a congregation of several hundred members. The chapel (now Fellowship Hall) and a wing of classrooms were built during this decade. In the 1970s, MVPC further developed its ministry to children and youth and added the Fireside Room in 1975.

With a renewed focus on Christ, a proclamation of God’s Word, and a greater vision for reaching the Lamorinda area, MVPC began to deepen its spiritual life, grow its membership, and expand its programs to meet the spiritual needs of the community. In 1982 MVPC called Jim Rueb to be the Senior Pastor, which coincided with God’s readiness to significantly expand the church’s life and ministry. In 1987, plans were laid for the development of the church campus, beginning with a new Worship Center. After years of working through the town approval process and two capital campaigns later, MVPC completed and dedicated its beautiful new Worship Center in Spring 1992.

The 1990s was a decade of further growth for MVPC, powered in part by the development of dynamic programs for children, youth, and young families. During this time, God’s reach through MVPC also began extending beyond Moraga. Partnering with such urban ministries as World Impact in West Oakland and the Bay Area Rescue Mission in Richmond, the church expanded its ministries to the larger Bay Area. An annual Spring Break mission trip to build homes in Mexico in partnership with Amor Ministries grew to become a still-popular tradition, often including 250+ high school students and adults. In 1997, the “Opening the Door to the Future ‘’ campaign raised nearly $7 million to underwrite a new Family Ministry Center (FMC), reestablishing MVPC’s commitment to families and future generations. This now much-utilized complex provides space for our Children and Student Ministries and for our Christ-centered preschool, The Nurtury. Dedicated in 1999, the FMC is now a second home for hundreds of young people.

By 2000, MVPC had become a congregation of over 1000 official members and 500 friends who called MVPC their church home. In addition to ministries for children and youth, adult programs also thrived. Women met weekly for Moms’ Council and Women’s Bible Study. Men gathered on Saturday mornings for Men’s Bible Study. Parent education workshops, marriage enrichment classes, and other biblically-based offerings were well attended. Many home-based community groups met for personal growth, prayer support, and fellowship. In the spring of 2004, over 700 people met for six weeks during Lent to engage with The Purpose Driven Life program. In May 2011, Pastor Jim Rueb retired after almost 29 years of ministry at MVPC. The Rev. Dr. Geoff Brown served MVPC as Interim Pastor from October 2011 to June 2013.

Pastor Rob Perkins became MVPC’s next Senior Pastor in July 2013. During his tenure, the church continued to minister in many positive ways. For example, Student Ministries had strong participation on Wednesday evenings; VBS continued to attract large numbers of children from the community; the Spring Break mission trips attracted hundreds of students and adults; community outreach events included presenting a Live Nativity, participating in the local July 4 parade, involvement in the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, hosting a Princess Tea, and other efforts that we can build on as we continue to be “For Lamorinda.” (“Lamorinda” is a nickname for our local community made up of Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda.) However, the pastoral transition with Pastor Perkins had its challenges, and in February 2020, he resigned. MVPC has sought to address and continues to address the issues that arose during these past years. Vital Church Ministries, and Intentional Interim Pastor Dave Miles, have been working with MVPC since July 2020 and have played a significant role in assisting the church in this regard.