How to Go to Church in Pinole in Your Pajamas

Pinole's Drive-In Worship Service is celebrating its 40-year anniversay Sunday and to commemorate the occasion the pet- and pajama-friendly church is doing some celebrating.

"Where else can you go to church in your PJs or bring your pet with you to church?" said service representative Kathy Cichanowski in an email.

Indeed, service officials recall members bringing pets ranging from ducks to dogs, said service representative Emily Niccolls.

Sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Drive-In Worship will host its regular Sunday service, followed with a luncheon and a fund drive to help restore its signature storage truck, which acts as a pulpit for preacher Steve Niccolls, who is also Emily's husband.

Cars and trucks pull up and park [or take a seat] in front of the truck-come-pulpit where the 40-person strong congregation can tune into the sermon via the service's 540 AM radio channel, or just listen the old fashioned way, said Emily.

"It's a traditional service in a nontraditional setting," Emily said.

Services typically start at 8:30 a.m. and last about 45 to 60 minutes, Emily said, and can include musical hymns performed by local musicians.

"Cars will honk, and it's the service's way of encouraging people to clap," Emily said.

Preacher Niccolls, who serves as a teacher at Pinole Valley High School, is a candidate under the care of the San Francisco Presbytery's school where he is also a seminary student.

Tickets for the anniversary celebration are $20 per person, Emily said, with proceeds going toward reparing the Drive-In pulpit truck. The celebration will be Saturday, April 13, in the Hall at the main church building at 3415 Barrett Ave. in Richmond.

For more information, contact First Presbyterian's church office at 510-234-0954.