Bible Temple

1951 Montavilla Tabernacle:

Ivy & Sylvia IversonIn 1951 a group of 13 people stepped out in faith to start what would someday become City Bible Church. Pastored by Dick Iverson's parents, L.N. and Sylva Iverson, the church began meeting as Deliverance Tabernacle in an old building on SE 80th and Washington Street.

1959 Old Granada Theater:

Dick & Edie IversonAs the church grew, the Lord miraculously provided a new location, the old Granada Theater at NE 76th and Glisan. The congregation responded with sacrificial giving and in 1959 Deliverance Temple moved into the remodeled theater, surrounded by storefronts and a tavern.

1967 Bible Temple:

In 1966 the church changed their name to Bible Temple and the following year, with a congregation of 600, the church opened Portland Bible College with an inaugural class of 23 students. In 1974, as a congregation of 900, they established a Christian school, began Bible Temple Publishing (now City Bible Publishing) and other ministries.

1977 76th & Glisan:

In 1977 the church began to build a new facility at 76th and Glisan. Through miraculous provision from the sacrificial giving of the congregation, $1.2 million came in, financing the new property. This new sanctuary was an important chapter, but not the end, of God's vision for the growing congregation.

1991 Rocky Butte:

In 1981 the Lord opened the door for Bible Temple to purchase 32 acres on Rocky Butte and the church rose to the challenge. In the midst of an economic recession, the congregation sacrificially gave $2.7 million to purchase the property. In 1986 construction began on the domes and in 1991 the congregation moved into their new church home, raising a total of $7.5 million toward the project.

1995 Frank & Sharon Damazio:

In 1992 Dick Iverson announced his change of ministry plans. He would move to a full- time ministry with Ministers Fellowship International, a network of pastors he founded in 1987. With the confirmation of the eldership, he announced Pastor Frank Damazio as his successor. After a three-year transition, Pastor Frank and Sharon became the senior pastors of Bible Temple in October, 1995. The name of the church was changed City Bible Church in 1998.