Our Church History – Palma Ceia Baptist Church

March 1973 to March 1998

We had the same spirit of Nehemiah 4:6, “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof for the people had a mind to work.” During this twenty-five year period, we made giant steps. We purchased the property where our first sanctuary was built, now known as the Charles F. Bennett Hall. The construction of the building started in March 1973. Six months later, we held our first worship service in the new sanctuary on the third Sunday in September 1973. God blessed our efforts and dedication and our membership grew to over 1,500 members.

Due to the growth of the membership, Palma Ceia had two worship services, at 8am and 11am, to accommodate our expanding church family. Pastor Bennett had a desire for the entire church family to worship together at one worship service, and God saw our need to bring the church family together and blessed us with a larger building. We had our first worship service in our new and present sanctuary in January 1987. Today, our church family worships together at our main worship service at 10am each Sunday morning. We’ve worked hard, faithfully, and God has truly blessed Palma Ceia Baptist Church.

1998 – The Present and Our Future

After 30 long, faithful and spirit-filled years of dedicated service to the Palma Ceia Church Family, Pastor Bennett retired on March 13, 1998, and was appointed Pastor Emeritus of Palma Ceia Baptist Church. In April 2000, Reverend Ronald Coleman was elected to the position of Interim Pastor.

In September 2001, Rev. Paul A.W. McKery was elected and served as the second Pastor in the history of Palma Ceia Baptist Church until July 2008. While serving at Palma Ceia, Pastor McKery established a weekly Television Ministry entitled “Good News From Palma Ceia” and employed a new Youth and Young Adult Pastor, enhanced our weekly Bible studies and had a vision that seeked to help and care for people of all walks and ages of life.

In July 2011, Rev. Tommy E. Smith Jr., returned to serve again as Pastor. For 13 years, he faithfully served Palma Ceia Baptist Church as a member and as an Associate Minister. Also, he served as interim pastor in 1993 and co-interim pastor from 1998-2000. In addition to being a Bible Teacher and speaker, Rev. Smith published his first book, titled “In Spirit and In Truth – Rediscovering the Message of Jesus.”

Our continuing creed: Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Today, as we press toward the mark, Palma Ceia remains firm in its stand on the Rock of Christ.

Our Founder

Pastor Charles F. Bennett

Palma Ceia Baptist Church was established in September 1968 through the leading of the Holy Spirit from the vision that was given to Reverend Charles Franklin Bennett. He was joined that day by nine charter members (Sister Darlene Bell, Sister Mary Louise Bennett (his wife), Sister Jessie Bobo, Sister Mary Jenifer, Sister Vera Johnson, Sister Ozzie Madison, Sister Bernice Randle and Sister Doris Williams). Under Pastor Bennett’s leadership and direction, Palma Ceia was recognized as one of California’s fastest growing churches, soon requiring the need for multiple services. As faithful and dedicated servant of God and Palma Ceia, Pastor Bennett met the demands of multiple services until God blessed the Church with a modern and spacious facility that would accommodate the needs of the growing congregation, which had grown to over 3,000 members. After thirty long years of dutiful and loving service, Pastor Bennett retired on March 31, 1998. Pastor Emeritus Charles Bennett was called home on March 30, 2010.

It has been said that it is difficult to judge the boundaries of compassion and concern of a man. However, a man’s character is judged by the life he leads, by the lives he touches, by the hope he stirs in others and by the strength in the hand he extends to others. If this is true, it is by these measures, Pastor Charles F. Bennett was a giant of a man.

Charter Member of the Palma Ceia Baptist Church

Mary E. Jenifer

Mary E. Jenifer holds a special place in the history of Palma Ceia Baptist Church as a charter member and the very first person to join the church on the second Sunday of September 1968. At that time, Palma Ceia was located at 1021 W. Tennyson Road under the leadership of a young U.S. Postal Carrier, Rev. Charles F. Bennett. Throughout the years, Sis. Jenifer has built a lasting legacy through the generous giving of her time, talents, and resources, while consistently demonstrating genuine, Godly love for her brothers and sisters in Christ. Her faithfulness and dedication have helped strengthen the foundation upon which generations of believers have found a spiritual home at Palma Ceia. Her life of service beautifully reflects the words of Philippians 1:3: “I thank my God every time I remember you.”

Pastor History

Rev. Tommy E. Smith

Rev. Tommy E. Smith Jr. came to Palma Ceia as an accomplished author and brilliant engineer, having received a patent as lead inventor of an Electron Energy Spectrometer. In March 2009, Rev. Smith began to serve as Palma Ceia’s Interim Pastor. In July 2011 he was elected as Palma Ceia’s third Senior Pastor and was installed in October 2011. Pastor Smith’s messages were encouraging and uplifting, always stressing the importance of our cultural heritage and great potential. In March 2020, the unprecedented COVID-19 global pandemic limited in-person worship opportunities. During his leadership, Pastor Smith helped guide Palma Ceia through these troubling and uncertain times by keeping the beloved community connected. Pastor Smith, along with the support of the various church ministries, created an on-line video worship presence for Palma Ceia. He also established the audio-visual ministry and created the social media ministry to keep fellowship accessible. He also led the efforts for drive-thru communion to ensure we maintained fellowship continuity. In 2020, Pastor Smith approved the start of our Noon Day Call-In prayer line, which is still serving members and non-members in need of prayer. Those were vital steps needed to keep our faith community intact until we were able to reopen in November 2021 for re-start of in-person worship services. He continued to serve the congregation and greater Bay Area communities as Pastor, Teacher and Community Leader until God called him home to glory on August 8, 2024.

Pastor Paul A.W. McKery

Pastor Paul A.W. McKery faithfully served as pastor of Palma Ceia Baptist Church from 2001 to 2009. During his eight years of leadership, he provided spiritual guidance and pastoral care to the congregation, continuing the church’s commitment to faith, fellowship, and service to the community. His years of ministry remain an important part of Palma Ceia’s history and the legacy of those who have answered the call to lead and serve its congregation.

Pastor Ron Coleman

Pastor Ron Coleman served as pastor of Palma Ceia Baptist Church from 2000 to 2001. During his time of leadership, he provided spiritual guidance and pastoral care while helping the congregation continue its mission of faith, fellowship, and service. Though his tenure was brief, Pastor Coleman’s service represents an important chapter in the history and continuing ministry of Palma Ceia Baptist Church.