The Rev. Ross Purdy will be in the pulpit for his inaugural sermon as the new senior pastor at La Cañada Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Feb. 26.
He will be preaching the first sermon in a series entitled, “Being the Church that Jesus Had in Mind.”
Born the son of a Presbyterian pastor in upstate New York, Purdy spent most of his life right here in Southern California. After spending his formative years in Whittier, Purdy attended Cal State University, Fullerton, where he received a bachelor’s degree in religious studies, and met Kathy, his wife of more than 31 years with whom he shares three children: Katy, Heather and Jacob.
Purdy received his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and most recently received his doctorate in history from the University of Stirling in Scotland. Given that his mother is originally from Scotland, the University of Stirling holds a special place in his heart.
As a pastor his first calling was to East Whittier Presbyterian Church, where he was the director of Christian Education.
Afterward, he served as the associate pastor/head of staff at Lake Arrowhead Community Presbyterian Church; and most recently as the pastor/head of staff at First Presbyterian Church of Burbank, where he served from 2001 to early 2023.
Purdy is a very outgoing person who loves Jesus, loves the Scripture and loves people. He has the innate ability to make you feel like there is no one else in the room when he is talking with you. Both Purdy and his wife look forward to being part of the greater La Cañada Flintridge community. In their downtime, they enjoy walking their dogs around the neighborhood and stopping to talk with their neighbors.
“I am very excited to begin serving as the new senior pastor of the La Cañada Presbyterian Church,” Purdy said. “It is a congregation of wonderful people, tremendous staff and outstanding programs and ministries. La Cañada Presbyterian Church has been a beacon to the community and to the world for 75 years and I am looking forward to being a part of the great years that lie ahead.”
The LCPC community looks forward to welcoming Purdy to La Cañada Presbyterian Church. All are invited to meet him, as well as to attend Sunday mornings at either the traditional worship service at 9 a.m. or the contemporary service at 10:30 a.m.
La Cañada Presbyterian Church is located at 626 Foothill Blvd. For more information, visit lacanadapc.org.
Presbyterian Church to Welcome New Senior Pastor
