First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara by Santa Barbara Historical Museum

NOTICIAS Journal Of The Santa Barbara Historical Museum

Vol. LV

No. 4

‘●TV

l-i

JicthoHst CWtcIl

The roots of the First United Methodist Church ofSanta Barbara may be traced back to the earliest days ofProtestantism in the city. Thefirst p T Protestant sermon in Santa Barbara was delivered in 1854 and small

ofdifferent denominations met periodicallyfrom that year. In 1867 a pastor was appointed to hold regular Methodist services here and in 2017 the congregation of the First United Methodist Church ofSanta Barbara celebrates its 150th anniversary. This issue o/Noticias presents an anthology ofarticles documenting the history of the Methodist Church in Santa Barbara and the impact it has had on the community through the decades with its programs ofeducation, outreach and service.

THE EDITORS:Rev. Dr. Mark Richardson was appointed Senior Pastor ofFirst United Methodist Church in 2014. Jeanne Bacsi joined First United Methodist Church in 2010 and has been an active member of the Fellowship Committee. Toni Straka is aformer Director ofChristian Education and currently serves as Event Coordinator at First United Methodist Church. COVER IMAGE: The Rose Window, First United Methodist Church, dedicated 1927. All color window photographs by Ennis Fruhauf. All additional photographs arefrom the archives of the First United Methodist Church unless noted otherwise. Photograph of the plaque on the back cover is by Dallis Richardson. INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTORS: Noticias is a journal devoted to the study of the history of Santa Barbara County. Contributions of articles are welcome. The authority in matters of style is The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition. The Publications Committee reserves the right to return submitted manuscripts for required changes. Statements and opinions expressed in articles are the sole responsibility of the authors. Michael Redmon, Noticias Editor Judy Sutcliffe, Designer ©2017 Santa Barbara Historical Museum 136 East De la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, California, 93101 sbhistorical.org Single copies $12 ISSN 0581-5916

yirst Umkb Aicthobisf CWrcIv of Smtd Barbara f Jeanm yoni ^cv.Dr,M(^r\iDicWr^sen

n 185Z). Sijnto 13<^rbi^ra w<^s a- rou(^\\ a^obe frontier town, bwt «;moni^ its citizens tlvcrc were tlrose wHo felt tire neec) of JVotestont fcUowslrip, The Rev. Adam Bland, Presiding Elder bers and ten candidates for church of the Methodist Los Angeles District, membership receiving religious inCalifornia Conference, arrived in that struction known as probationers, year and preached the first Protestant

The Protestant population in South-

sermon in the village. In the morning ern California being so small it was dehe preached in a private dwelling and cided in the following year to unite the in the evening at the adobe courthouse. Los Angeles with the San Francisco Because there was some opposition to District. In Santa Barbara, a small class organizing Protestant work he did not was organized with a Mr. Banning as think it wise to organize a church at leader. This group was visited quarterly that time. In fact, the membership of by the presiding elder, the Methodist church in Los Angeles in

Rev. Bland is credited for giving the

1854 was no more than fifteen mem- Santa Barbara group the suggestion of 181

182

NOTICIAS

decorating ladders as replacements for Christmas trees, as the Easterners were lamenting the lack of coniferous trees. He preached a sermon incorporating the story of "Jacob's Ladder" and the congregation began collecting ladders for use as Christmas trees. 1867 -1892

The Civil War slowed the growth of Protestantism in Southern California. Clergy were largely Northerners and often found the southern part of the state, which had a larger number of Confederate

sympathizers, inhospit

able. Therefore only occasional services were held until 1867, when the Rev. R. R. Dunlap became the first Methodist pastor regularly appointed to the Santa Barbara charge, which included Santa Barbara, the Goleta Valley, Montecito, Carpinteria, and Ventura. In 1868 the San Francisco District was divided, and the Santa Clara District constituted, which included the area lying along the coast between Santa Clara and San Diego. At this conference the Santa Bar bara charge was also divided. Rev. R. R. Dunlap was appointed to the southern portion residing at Ventura, and Rev. P. Y. Cool to Santa Barbara, with Adam Bland as Presiding Elder. On November 8, 1868 Grace Meth odist Episcopal Church was organized under the pastorate of the Rev. P. Y.

The Rez’erenci Adam Bland is credited with delivermg thefirst Protestmit ser mon in Santa Barbara in 1854.

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FIRST UNITED METHODIST

Cool with fourteen charter members Cool offered to donate a corner lot on and five probationers. The pastor's De la Vina and West De la Guerra salary was fixed at $1,000. "They had

streets for a Methodist church and par-

no meeting place nor a house for the sonage. The lot was to be held in trust pastor to live in so permission was ob- by a board of trustees appointed by the tained from the school trustees to hold

regular authorities of the Methodist

services in the public school house church, provided five other subscripwhile the pastor and his wife lived at a

tions of $250 each could be secured,

hotel, as there was no private family The proposition was accepted and a where they might board and no house canvass made for the money with a to be rented."(Van Den Bergh)

subscription

drive

which

raised

In 1869 a parsonage was built at a cost of $1,000. Plans were also made for a church building. At a meeting of the official board on January 27, 1869, Rev.

Thefirst permanent home of the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated in December 1869.

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NOTICIAS

By the late 1880s, the grozvth of the congregation necessitated a new church building and this grand edifice was dedicated in the fall of 1889. Collection of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

enou gh funds for the building of the Bowers arrived to undertake the pas torate; he was active in this ministry for church edifice at the cost of $5,824. The cornerstone of the Grace Meth- only a year, resigning in 1877 due to odist Episcopal Church was laid July having been absent for long periods of 25, 1869. On December 5th of that year time. The reason for these absences was that Rev. Bowers was an amateur ar¬ the church was dedicated and opened to the public. When Rev. Cool was chaeologist who led excavations of transferred from Santa Barbara at the Chumash sites. History offered a mixed end of three years he left a church of assessment of Rev. Bowers' activities. sixty-one

members

and

Sunday

spite of the fact that his work on

School with forty-five students and Santa Cruz Island in 1877 was financed by the Smithsonian Institution and the eight officers. The next few years were difficult as the church lost membership and finan cial support. It was during this period

U.S. Department of the Interior where he supplied the Smithsonian Institution with artifacts from the Chumash

that the Reverend Stephen DeMoss region," today he is largely regarded

185

FIRST UNITED METHODIST simply as a

pothunter," taking arti- copal Church was dedicated: cost of facts for sale and interested primarily construction, $24,500. in supplying the insatiable Victorian demand for "Indian relics." (Grant) The late 1870s saw further troubled times. In 1878 the pastor's salary, which

1892-1917

During the pastorate of the Rev. T.

had grown to $1,500 but had already C. Miller from 1892 to 1895 the Boys been reduced once to $1,200, was re Brigade was organized, which later duced to $800. During the pastorate of was converted into Boy Scout Troop J. A. Van Anda, which began in 1880, No. 1. One of the most colorful pastor church district reorganization and the ates in this period was that of the Rev. "Holiness" movement, which caused a C. A. Westenberg who came to the doctrinal fracture in the Methodist church in 1895 and served until 1899. church, further reduced the member

Under

Westenberg's leadership

the

ship of Grace Church. An attempt was church made great growth in all de made in 1881 to conduct missionary partments and it became a great power work

among

the

Spanish-speaking in the life of the community. At this

population of Santa Barbara. Juan B. time there were thirty-three Sunday Martinez was hired to undertake this schools in Santa Barbara; Grace Meth work, but had no success. odist was by far the largest. The balance of the 1880s saw a On June 28, 1897, the Fisherman's turnaround in church membership. On Club was organized, with the objective November 11, 1888, Grace Methodist to see to it that all travelers visiting in Church celebrated its 20th anniversary. the city over Sunday received a person The membership had outgrown the al invitation to worship at Grace Meth little brick church building. In Decem odist Church. All trains and hotels ber 1888 a subscription for financial were visited each Saturday night. The gifts was circulated for the purpose of invitations were personally addressed erecting a new church edifice. Eleven to the individual and personally signed thousand dollars was subscribed. by Rev. Westenberg. In September of In January 1889 the Quarterly Con

1897 the yearly report to the annual

ference ordered the Trustees to pur conference showed that 174 had joined chase a new site on the corner of the church with 121 on probation. The Figueroa and De la Vina streets at a total membership was 587. As the cen cost of $4,500. On Sunday, September 1, tury turned, the church's outreach ef 1889, the new Grace Methodist Epis- forts continued. The president of the

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NOTICIAS

Fisherman's Club, Frank S. Van Den Bergh, stated in his report to the annual conference of 1900 that the Club had delivered 4,987 written invitations to people to come to the church and that 15,187 bulletins had been delivered to hotels, trains and on the streets. Although

the

Rev. Westenberg's

efforts in Santa Barbara were very suc cessful as far as increasing church membership and activities, the chapter on his pastorate ended unhappily. At some point during his tenure he had become acquainted with a Rev. Ells worth "who was interested in sugar in Hawaii and rubber in Mexico. They both got very much interested and per-

Church enjoyed continued growth under

SLiaded many of our old members to

the pastorate of C. A. Westenberg during the latter halfof the 1890s although his tenure buy stock in a rubber plantation in ended in controversy. Mexico."(Van Den Bergh) Returning to San Francisco follow

ing his years in Santa Barbara, it is re- pose." (Van Den Bergh) He immedicorded that Rev. Westenberg lost his ately started

movement to

raise

voice and had to give up preaching. He money to cover the church debt. On continued in his business ventures but December 21, 1901, sufficient funds investments in the rubber plantation in

were subscribed to pay the mortgage.

Mexico failed and many of the congreg- The Rev. Alfred Inwood served a very ation of Grace Methodist Episcopal happy pastorate from 1903 to 1905. subsequently lost their life savings. During his ministry a new parsonage was built at a cost of $4,550. In 1910 (Thompson) In 1901 the Rev. S. J. Carroll was Edgar

E. Miller

organized, in

the

assigned to Santa Barbara. By this time church, the first Boy Scout troop in church membership had fallen to 365. Santa Barbara and the first on the PaRev. Carroll "was a venerable gentle- cific Coast, man with long silvery locks, a powerful

In 1910 the Rev. Harry White began

speaker and very determined in pur- a

four-year

pastorate.

The

church

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FIRST UNITED METHODIST

prospered under his leadership. The year the trustees petitioned the court Rev. C. B. Dalton succeeded Rev. White, for permission to change the name of and his strong pulpit messages were Grace Methodist Episcopal Church to felt powerfully in the life of the com- First Methodist Church, munity and Grace Methodist Church

A.J. Hughes led the effort in recon-

recouped the membership losses it had struction of the 1889 church building sustained following Rev. Westenberg's following a fire which started in a base investment scandal. ment furnace. This fire, along with a number of pre-existing structural de 1917-1942

fects left the church sadly in need of major repair. Rev. Hughes conceived

One of three sons of a Welsh coal miner, the Rev. Alfred J. Hughes came to Santa Barbara in the middle of 1917.

"Vrfire resulted in a redesign of the church in the Mission Revival style. The newly re He was very energetic and a hard modeled building zvas dedicated in 1919. worker, a good speaker and a fine mix- Collection of the Santa Barbara Historical

er.” (Van Den Burgh) In the following Museum.

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NOTICIAS

The great earthquake offline 1925 so damaged the church it had to be torn down. the idea of remodeling the building in a added to the educational plant. This Mission Revival architectural style. As was done at a cost of $6,000 and dedica result the church building was recon- ated August 24,1924. structed at a cost of $43,500. The build In 1924 the church was planning to ing was dedicated August 10, 1919, by make the new Conference year the best Bishop Adna Leonard. The Church ever. The work was progressing nicely School, with Charles M. Urton serving until the morning of June 29, 1925, as Superintendent, had an enrollment when Santa Barbara was rocked by a of 889, with an average attendance of severe earthquake. The First Methodist 466 in 1921. The total membership of Church was so badly damaged that it the church was 689. was condemned by the city and had to The Rev. Samuel Hughes, brother of be torn down. At first, the church deAlfred J Hughes, became pastor in cided to rebuild on the old site and the 1923. Membership in that year had property adjoining it was purchased grown to 760. The Church School had with that in view, outgrown its quarters and it was de

Ultimately the Official Board voted

cided that some new rooms should be to purchase the present church site at

189

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

●y V

Members of the congregation and community come together for the ground breaking for the new church in the spring of 1927. At center is Rev. Samuel Hughes, who worked tirelessly to raise the necessary funds.

the northeast corner of Anapamu and

time show

Garden streets at a cost of $35,000. The

overcome prejudice that Santa Barbara,

Public School Board of the city gra

part-time home to some of the richest

ciously offered to let the church use the

families in the United States, was a

high school auditorium and classrooms

wealthy town whose residents could

on Sundays.

easily provide the funds for the recon structions.

Under

the

leadership

Rev.

the

tenacity required

Samuel Hughes, the church formulated

By May 1, 1927, enough money had

plans and set out to raise money for a

been raised or pledged to warrant the

new church home. Rev. Hughes ap

beginning of a new church home and

peared before the Conferences in Cali

the ceremony of breaking ground took

fornia seeking financial support and

place. Thomas P. Barber was chosen as the architect and Charles M. Urton was

then traveled through the eastern U. S. to raise considerable funds for the new church building. His letters from that

the builder. With hearts full of joy and gratitude, members and friends filled

NOTICIAS

●, ■ .

●-I.

*y^

This fourth church buiJdiiig remains the home of the congregation today. Collection of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

191

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

the magnificent sanctuary on Sunday, build up the spiritual morale of the December 18, 1927, when it was dedic members and prepare them for the day ated by Bishop Charles Wesley Burns. when they would have to give, as nev The great church plant with its 105 er before, to save the church property. rooms and equipment was adequate Dr. Ashley organized a Pastor's Coun for all church needs. The total cost of cil for the purpose of surveying the the building and equipment was church's needs and charting the course $268,000. for the future. Steadily these plans were In 1928 Dr. Lincoln A. Ferris was pursued. sent to be pastor of the church. During

The youth of the church were or

his three-year pastorate the country ganized into a University of Life pro was going through its worst depression gram, where the young people en in many years, but in spite of the hard rolled, for a period of six weeks at a financial times the membership of the time, in various classes, studying dif church grew in number and the church ferent subjects. Excellent leadership was able to pay $35,800 on the church was provided for these classes and debt. Walter L. Holcomb assisted the pastor The Rev. Don S. Ford succeeded Dr. in the administration of the work. Spe Ferris. Because of ill health, he was not cial emphasis was given to the needs of able to complete the year's work. At the college youth. A Wesley Club was the next session of Annual Conference organized for this group. The Epworth in 1932 Dr. Ralph W. Lee was sent to League,

young adult association.

Santa Barbara. For five years he led the soon grew from ten to forty active church

through

the

Depression. members. Today it is known as the

Through his hard work, his preaching United Methodist Youth Fellowship. and guidance, 505 new members were For the first time in years the high received into the church and the church school youth started to attend the Ep debt was reduced to $16,000. worth League Institutes. An average of On July 2, 1937 Dr. John N. Ashley twenty young people attended each began his ministry at the church with a year for five years. Three worship ser sermon on "The Christ of Galilee." The vices were held on Sundays aided by problem confronting the church was three different choirs. The doors of the the pressing debt of $58,000, plus a sanctuary were opened every day to church membership that had sacrificed those who cared to come in for quiet and given until it felt it could not give and prayer. A special prayer room was any more. The first big task was to opened for small groups. The parish

192

NOTICIAS

was divided into districts, under com

women, was a strong force in the life of petent leaders, to look after the needs the church. The Church School had its

of the members and to cultivate pro

ups and downs but many faithful

spective members.

teachers and officers gave of their best

1942 -1967

to train boys and girls in the teaching of the Christian faith. The Men's Class, under the faithful leadership of its

As early as 1940 the church's credit

teacher, Harvey Holt, did excellent

ors insisted that the mortgage be paid work during this period. The Couple's and the church leadership set out to Club, composed of young married folk, solve the problem. The Debt Elimina

met regularly each Sunday morning

tion Plan included the setting up of a and twice a month to enjoy Christian Trust Fund with the County National fellowship. The Boy Scouts carried on Bank, in which all monies given for the their scouting program. The Epworth debt would be deposited. The agree Fellowship became a strong organiza ment with the donors was that there tion among high school youth and the must be sufficient money in the trust Wesley Club met the requirements of fund to pay the mortgage by January 1, the national organization to become a 1943, or all monies would be refunded Wesley Foundation, striving to meet to the donors. The members worked the religious and social needs of college and gave sacrificially and with the aid of friends of the church, the mortgage

youth. The following pastors brought a

of $41,500 was paid December 23, 1942. wealth of energy and ideas to expand The Church was deeply indebted to the interests of this church. The 35th over seven hundred individuals and

pastor. Rev. Will Hilderbrand (1949-56),

several organizations, including the helped with the renovation of Wesley Ministerial Union of the city, for help ing it cover the debt.

Hall, the Pastor's study. Dr. Frank Matthews (1956-65) saw

The Woman's Society of Christian the need for expanding our ministry Service raised thousands of dollars in and encouraged the purchase of prop the early 1940s, and made several thou

erty for St. Mark church and the Uni

sand calls on strangers, the sick and versity church in Isla Vista. Music was shut-ins. The women did excellent a major emphasis during this time work in soliciting funds for the church when Brooks Davis was hired as music debt. The Philathea Class, an interde

director/organist. The addition of the new Aeolian nominational Bible study for young

193

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

After 71 Years of Seroice

0 ChMrch*

ih Califen

Only

jHftlioiiist (Jliurfl) NOW FACES Military Defense Without Spiritual Defense Is Suicide This is the belief of business and professional leaders, and in fact, of every thinking man and woman today. Never in our day has the Church, its influence and teaching, been so important to all of us as now. Every one must realize that to lose such a power and force for good in this community, would be tragic in-

FORECLOSURE This great Church, built in 1927, is dedicated to the service of the people of Santa Barbara. It now faces foreclosure by our creditors who hold a Trust Deed, which is in default. THE CHURCH PLANT AND EQUIP MENT COST $270,000 The Methodist people and their friends have 212.026 paid during the past 14 years Total unpaid debt today.

.$ 57,980

The first Trust Deed of $41,500 is past due. Our credi tors will allow only a short extension. They must have their money and we are completely at their mercy. SHOULD THIS CHURCH GO TO THE CREDI TORS BY DEFAULT, it would mean that they would take possession at ONE-SIXTH OF THE ORIG INAL COST.

Original Church 1869

The membership in the last fourteen years has paid $46,682.90 in interest. They carry an annual budget for running expense of $12,503 and to date they have subscribed $14,800 on this debt. They have reached the limit of their ability to pay. We arc now compelled to call upon you. our friends, to help save this Church.

The ivar years of the 1940s zverc ciijficult ones as this pleaforfinancial aid attests. The Church successfully weathered the storm. Collection of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

194

NOTICIAS

Skinner organ was part of a major ically rendered. He also re-designed the renovation of the chancel area, with front garden under the redwood tree new paneling, new altar and the Lamb with a low wall and new plantings, window. This area is ideal for church gatherings. The church continued reaching out 1967-1992

into the community through activities such as Centro Familiar, an outreach to

Since 1968, when the denomination Latino families; Boy Scout Troop 1; and merged with the Evangelical United open basketball in the church gym Brethren Church, the church has been Monday and Wednesday evenings, known as the First United Methodist The Rev. Robert Weirbach (1977-84) Church. The Rev. Don Locher (1971-77) helped train and encourage two Associushered in an era of artistic endeavors: ates, the Revs. Jim Butler and Jerry Chrismons, banners and the Madonna Steele. Festival, in which madonnas are artist-

Working with the Rabbi at Temple

\ The Church offered a number organizationsfor young people in the postwar years. Pictured is a Youth Lounge meeting during the 1950s.

195

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

B'Nai B'rith and the minister at First began serving as Senior Minister in Congregational, we opened our church 1989, blending his knowledge of to the community for Interfaith Middle Eastern traditions with teach Thanksgiving Services. After retiring, ings of the Bible. he was Chaplain at Valle Verde, and The longstanding tradition of hav continued as a Minister of Visitation at ing an annual Living Nativity began in FUMC for twenty more years. 1990. For many years now the church In 1986, church members Maxine has organized this tableau portraying Crandall and Lois Grua, who were the holy family. Magi, shepherds, and teachers in the community, developed angels of the Christmas story. In addi plans for an after-school program to tion, there are live animals, always in provide tutoring to nearby junior and cluding camels, and often sheep, goats, senior high school students. Gathering and donkeys. The scene is set over the support of the pastor at the time, three evenings just before Christmas. the Rev. George Walters, and the The historic sanctuary is open during Church Council, they launched this this time, with seasonal music playing, successful program, known as the Cyn and a collection of creches from around thia Ann Morrow Student Drop-In the world on display. Center, which served students and 1992- Present their families for nearly thirty years. A community need to house the homeless was answered when five

With

encouragement from

Rev.

churches agreed to open their Fellow

Saatjian, many work teams were sent to ship Halls to fill this need. Before an areas of the United States and abroad: actual

Transition

House

was

pur

Navajo Reservation, Kenya, Guatem

chased, FUMC took turns by offering ala, Alaska, St. John's and South Africa. meals and shelter. To help with this

In 1997, in response to the many

venture, the church opened our hall for church burnings of predominantly Fiesta Tri-Tip Dinners - all proceeds to African-American congregations help Transition house and the Drop-In around the country, our congregation Center. More than one hundred volun began to field Work Teams of fifteen to teers from the church and community forty people to go on Arson Rebuild joined together for the three nights of projects each year. Under the leader Fiesta to work on this project.

ship of the Rev. Lloyd Saatjian, our

The Rev. LLoyd Saatjian, former church responded with practical com Santa

Ana

District

Superintendent, passion to the suffering of our sisters

196

NOTICIAS

and brothers in other parts of the coun

Pastor Hillary initiated FUMC's re

try. The National Coalition for Burned sponse to the creation of the Warming Churches was the organizational um

Center following the death of a home brella for faith communities from many less man due to the cold weather. She places to spend a week at a time re

served the community of Santa Barbara

building not only church buildings, but generously during her ten year pastor also people's sense of community. For ate as a participant and leader in the many years the church partnered with Santa Barbara Clergy Association, as a Congregation B'Nai B'rith in this work. founding member and participant in Over the course of fourteen years, these the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Work Teams helped rebuild twelve planning committee, as a supporter of churches in mostly southern states.

the Scouting program and the Student

The Rev. Dr. Hillary Chrisley was Drop-In Center, as a Chaplain for the appointed as Senior Pastor of First American Guild of Organists, as a vo United Methodist Church in July 2004, lunteer

the

Veterans

Maundy

and for ten years carried out a dedic

Thursday Foot Washing, and as a

ated, inspirational and heartfelt min

speaker for the Community Good Fri

istry among the congregation and com

day Service. Pastor Hillary took over

munity. Pastor Hillary arrived at a leadership of the Arson Rebuild teams point of transition in lay leadership and after her arrival. On a Conference level, congregational composition. Utilizing she was a member of the Californiaher administrative gifts, she worked Pacific with a consultant to do a full congrega

Conference

Clergywomen,

Chairperson of the Conference Board of

tional study and visioning process out Ordained Ministry, and facilitator of of which she developed, among other the Santa Barbara Mission Area. things, a vision statement for guiding

The Rev. Dr. Alan Strout was ap

the congregation forward in mission pointed as the Associate Pastor in 2006. and ministry. Pastor Hillary provided He became the pastoral liaison for the support to children and youth minis tries such as Christmas pageants. Fam

Faith and Society Committee, Missions Committee, Children, Youth and Fam

ily Camps, Vacation Bible School, sum

ily Ministries, Health Ministries Team,

mer camps. Acolytes, Sunday School, and choirs for children and youth, and Con

recently

the

Garden

Preschool Advisory Committee. He has

firmation classes. Participation by our organized

Morning Song

prior

church youth in the Sierra Service Pro

Sunday

ject began under her tenure.

month to sing gospel songs and favor-

morning

worship

once

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

197

One of the glories of the First United Methodist Church is its Aeolian Skin ner organ. Shown here is just a por tion of its sixtyone pipes.

ite hymns. He has been the moving spearheaded the necessary fundraising force behind small group formation. He

throughout the year. He has been active

has been responsible for Parish Care in addressing issues of hunger and and Stephen Ministers programs to

homelessness in Santa Barbara, includ-

provide a comprehensive caring min- ing oversight of our church's participaistry to people who are hospitalized, tion in the Warming Center, which housebound, or in need of prayer sup- comes to our facility several times a port or encouragement. He has organ- year, as well as the Safe Parking and ized youth mission trips each summer Showers of Blessing programs. He has through the Sierra Service Project and

served in leadership on the Santa Bar-

198

NOTICIAS

During his tenure thus far. Pastor bara Clergy Association, and has been a member of the North District Commit Mark has sought to carry on, support, and build upon the many annual tradi views candidates for ministry. Pastor tions of First United Methodist Church,

tee on Ordained Ministry that inter

Alan's steady and compassionate pres

including the Community Interfaith

ence in the congregation and the larger Thanksgiving

Service,

the

Living

community has been a source of deep Nativity, the Community Luncheon on blessing to many people over the years. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the The Rev. Dr. Mark Richardson was Feast for the Children. For several appointed to serve as the Senior Min

years. Pastor Mark has served as the

ister in July 2014. Under his leader

Chairperson of the North District Com

ship, groups began going each year to mittee on Ordained Ministry, as a UMCOR (United Methodist Commit member of the Orders Executive Com tee on Relief) West, a 22,000 square- mittee and the Annual Conference foot warehouse in Salt Lake City, for a Worship Planning Team of the Califor week of service to participate in the nia-Pacific Conference. humanitarian

relief efforts of this

He has brought a message of in church agency that reaches vulnerable clusive welcome to the mission of the populations in more than eighty coun

church, challenging the congregation to

tries affected by war, conflict, or natur al disaster. Teams sent from the con

build relationships that are stronger

gregation have joined forces with vo lunteers from other churches to as

than the differences experienced in life. In his preaching and teaching, he ex hibits the Wesleyan hope of bringing

semble thousands of Health, School, personal and social holiness together in Emergency, and Layette kits for distri

a way that makes the church strong

bution across the globe.

and relevant for a new day

199

FIRST UNITED METHODIST SOURCES Cappon, Sally, ed.. First Methodist Church, n.d.

United Barbara: Christine H. Lewis and Susan

Grant, Campbell, Rock Paintings of

H. Lang, 2012). Thompson, Daniella, "East Bay,

the Chumash: A Study ofa California Indi- Then and Now: Westenberg House: an Culture (Berkeley and Los Angeles: The Grande Dame of Benvenue AvenUniversity of California Press, 1965). Hughes, Rev. A. J., "History of First First United M.E. Church of S.B.,

ue", The Berkeley Daily Planet, May 01, 2008.

Van Den Bergh, Frank S., "The His-

Methodist Church of Santa Barbara tory of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church", First United Methodist archives, 1919. Church of Santa Barbara archives, 1937. Jervey, Edward Drewry, "The His Weist, Rev. Dr. DarEll T,"Stories of tory of Methodism in Southern Califor nia and Arizona, 1850 - 1939", Ph.D. the First Protestant Churches in Los dissertation, Boston University Library, Angeles 1850-1880," Originally pub lished in the California-Pacific's Annu 1958. al Conference Circuit West, and City Lewis, Christine H. and Susan H. Lights, United University Church, Rev. Lang, Christmas in Santa Barbara (Santa Dr. DarEll T. Weist, 2009.

200

NOTICIAS

ArchikctumiTiok

Unik^Mdho^ist CWrcK Clvnsttnc Palmer

Christine Palmer is a retired Santa Barbara historian nozu living in Sacramento where she volunteers at the Centerfor Sacramento History.

mid-1920s where he made a name for

Constructed:1927 Architect: Thomas P. Barber

himself designing Methodist churches in Southern California.

Builder: Charles Urton

Local Santa Barbara's First United Methodist Church Church is a steel and concrete building

contractor member

and

Methodist

Charles

Urton

handled construction of the church.

with a stucco finish. The style of the The total cost for design and construc design is Romanesque Revival, ironic

tion, including stained glass windows

ally a rare architectural mode in this imported from Munich, Germany, was community that predominantly tures

Mediterranean-derived

fea

$268,000. Barber chose the Romanesque

styles. Revival style for its distinctive massive

The rectangular floor plan supports the

ness. The building is so massive that

37,645-square-foot church which meas- City Council had to grant special per ures 155' wide, 200' long, and 56' high. mission to construct the church four The building has a projecting wing on

feet from the northern property line at

the east elevation bearing the 85'- high

the Garden and Anapamu site. The first Methodist Church was or

campanile containing chimes.

Completed in 1927, the design for ganized in Santa Barbara in 1868 with the church was by Los Angeles archi tect, Thomas P. Barber (no relation to

fourteen charter members and five pro bationers. It became the third Protest

Santa Barbara's most prolific Victorian- ant denomination in the community era architect Peter J. Barber). Thomas P. after the Congregational and Episcopal Barber (1862-1933) was born in Eng land but grew up and began his archi

churches organized a few years before. The first Methodist Church build

tectural practice in Colorado Springs, ing was constructed of stone and brick Colorado. He designed the University at the corner of Bath and De la Guerra Memorial Chapel in Denver in 1910, as streets and served the congregation well as schools in Greeley and Boulder. from 1869-1889. The second church was He relocated to Los Angeles in the a Victorian-era Gothic-style building

201

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

The present homefor the First United Methodist Church tons built in 1927 during the pastorate of Samuel Hughes. called the Grace Methodist Episcopal reflect the popular Mission Revival Church that stood at the corner of West style. The opulently remodeled buildFigueroa and De la Vina streets. It was ing, called the First Methodist Episthe largest capacity church in Santa copal Church, was irreparably damBarbara from 1889-1917. The church aged in the 1925 earthquake, building was severely damaged by a

The church trustees purchased

fire that began in the heating system, new site at the corner of Garden and The building was remodeled in 1919 to East Anapamu streets for $35,000, and

202

NOTICIAS

were pleased to note that the new loc- seat nine hundred people and feature ation included

parking lot. The an Aeolian Skinner $50,000 pipe organ,

present church was completed on this The Sunday School auditorium seats corner in 1927. 850 and can be converted into a gymA redwood tree in the churchyard nasium or a dining room. In 1966 local was dedicated in 1931 to First Method- architect Noel Cooke, who also de ist Church trustee Dr. Charles Stoddard, signed the Santa Barbara Yacht Club, a Civil War veteran, local physician and

designed the church's new parking lot

prominent member of the community, with a wooded perimeter fence and The sanctuary was renovated in 1963 to

planting strips.

ABOVE: The evocative interior of the First Methodist Church, ca. 1960. George Tomlinson photograph. RIGHT: Nozv the Carpinteria Valley Baptist Church, the building zvas moved from Santa Barbara's Eastside to its present location in 1893. Dallis Richardson photograph.

203

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

Ttvc i^stsihJAzi\^ohisi ipisc.opa\ Clviirclv (i888^i8<53) Jc<^nnc FffcsiA fifth church building erected by the View Nezos, 6 July 2006) There it reMethodists, the East Side Methodist mained Methodist for many years until Episcopal Church was formally dedic- the local Baptist church acquired it. ated on May 26, 1888. It was thought

The moving process cost three

that there was a need for this second hundred and fifty dollars and was done church "on the far side of town" and by the Franklin brothers, Gideon and the location selected was the corner of Bernard, and Thomas B. Fish. More Alisos and Yanonali streets. than twenty-four trips were required to The church was "formally dedic- finish the job. The floorings presented ated Sunday morning before an audi- the biggest problem; it was finally cut ence that filled the structure to over- into 20-foot sections and hauled on a flowing, many of whom were old ad- specially built wagon bed with a man mirers of Rev. Will A. Knighten, who on horseback riding ahead to warn preached from the text, Matt. XVI: 18: traffic of the wide load...." (Georgia 'On this rock will I build My church,' Stockton, La Carpinteria (Carpinteria: and the theme 'The Permanence of the Carpinteria Valley Historical Society, Church.' The collection covered the 1960), 74-75.) entire cost of the new structure, over $1,100 being donated on the spot." ("Olden Days, Santa Barbara 1938.)

News-Press, 26

May

The Eastside church proved too difficult to maintain and the property was sold in 1892. In 1893 the building was dis mantled and moved to Carpin teria "by a horse-drawn con¬ voy, down through Montecito and Summerland, to Eighth Street and Maple Avenue." (Paul Sisol, Coastal

204

NOTICIAS

Anitci) Beverly King served as President of the United Methodist Women,2013-2017.

United Methodist Women (UMW), the 1921, remained

separate service

largest denominational faith organiza group for working women until 1972, tion for women, has over 800,000 mem when all women s organizations bers and has been in existence since merged to form one inclusive organiza 1868. At that time six women members tion, the United Methodist Women of the Methodist Episcopal Church of (UMW). This occurred because of the Boston met to raise money to send a union of the Evangelical United woman doctor and a woman educator Brethren and the Methodist Church to India, because the needs of female into the United Methodist Church. members were not being addressed by

For over forty-five years, the UMW of First United Methodist Church the male members of the church. They formed the Women's Foreign Mission (UMW FUMCSB) has been an active ary Society of the Methodist Episcopal and inclusive organization. The only Church. requirement for membership is that a In 1939 the Methodist Episcopal woman believes in the Purpose of the Church, the Methodist Episcopal organization. She does not need to be a Church South, and the Methodist Prot member of FUMCSB or of the United estant Church merged to form The Methodist Church. However, a woman Methodist Church. The women's home must be a lay member and member of society, foreign missionary societies her own United Methodist Church to and other women's groups of the unit

serve as the president of that organiza

ing churches joined as one organiza

tion because she is a voting member of her Church Council and votes on tion, the Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS). This 1939 merger was church matters. The same holds true if the beginning of the WSCS at First she is to serve as a District or Confer Church, Santa Barbara. However, the ence officer because as a District or Wesleyan Service Guild, established for Conference president she would then business and professional women in be a voting member at United Method-

205

FIRST UNITED METHODIST P06KIW6 ^AT’RPAV M0VEMBJ3^ FROM 0-? AT FIRST Up'^TEft HFTllOt)I^T CttURCB;CORMK AWAPAMU^^A^de^j 'tHi T9Y5 M)

WHCT <Waj. lisaitu^r fi^SfwaatiEiSTi^^iwiirra^os viA mEE Ht-JoW ROUT TD Be AVCTIOWEF...

ist Church District or Conference meet

tion in Mission U, as well as reading

ings. Twenty-six women have served as materials, speakers and programs that president of the UMW FUMCSB since expand on the study items. The nation 1972. UMW FUMCSB has been well al Program Book is also a source of ac represented with at least five members tion activities and program items. serving on the District and Conference Funds are budgeted yearly for member Leadership Teams and two serving as a participation in District, Conference District President for four years. Our and General Assembly events. 2016 yearly report to the UMW Cal-Pac The general membership meetings Conference indicated one hundred are open to everyone and include a short members, which included two clergy. business meeting, lunch and a speaker Members are encouraged to sub scribe to Response and New World Out look, the two magazines of UMW, to

on a local, national or international topic that is relevant to our studies. Units are encouraged by our na

enrich their knowledge of the Bible, to tional organization to develop Fellow expand their opportunities for spiritual ship Circles, which allow for a more growth and development, and to fur intimate gathering and sharing of faith ther their role as women in our church and friendship. Two Circles, Hannah mission outreach. Every year we send women to Mis

("The Prayerful Mother") and Rachel (wife of Jacob whose children com

sion U (formerly known as the School pleted the twelve tribes of Israel), use of Christian Mission) for three days of the UMW Mission U study materials, fellowship, study and worship organ and the third Circle, Women of Spirit, ized around the three current study selects its own spiritual materials. items. Our budget supports participa¬ UMW FUMCSB has representa-

206

NOTICIAS

tives on two South Coast community done by hosting community speakers organization boards. Church Women to keep the membership informed on United and the Coalition Against Gun the welfare of South Coast women, Violence. UMW is also represented on children and youth; by undertaking the Martin Luther King, Jr. Steering "go see" activities; and by visits to so Committee Advisory Board and the cial service agencies to observe their Showers of Blessing Ministry (a mo

operations first hand. Action Alerts: Alerts are sent out on bile shower/hygiene project). Both

the UMW budget and the member ship

support

these

key congressional legislation and pub

organizations lic policies, as well as social issues in

through personal giving and attend ance.

cluding human trafficking, sweat shops and child labor, to name a few. No matter under what name it has Our giving to missions supports more than two hundred programs in been known, the United Methodist seventy-five countries around the Women of First United Methodist world. These ministries include, but are Church of Santa Barbara has been a not limited to: twenty-eight projects in vital force in mission and the life of Africa, thirty-eight

Asia/Pacific, the church—locally, nationally, and in

fourteen in Europe, twenty-nine in Lat ternationally. Locally, it is known as a in America and the Caribbean, and group of women who gets things eight in the Middle East. Our funds for done and its members are active mission are raised through pledges and throughout the community serving on other forms of mission giving. Fun boards, auxiliaries and in the trenches. draising events include bake sales. The We know that through study, service Holly Faire Christmas Boutique, Christ and fellowship, we endeavor to live mas Brunch, Christmas Tea, and our our Purpose: blessing box giving.

The organized unit of United Method

National Mission Outreach: Each year ist Women shall be a community of Women since 1972, our unit has met its monet lohose purpose is to knoiv God and to ex ary pledge to mission and its Five-Star perience freedom as zuhole persons through Unit status. Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, support Local Mission Outreach: Another ive fellozvship; and to expend concepts of component of our mission activity is mission through participation in the global outreach into the community. This is ministries of the church.

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FIRST UNITED METHODIST

207

* v:

The Holly Faire Bazaar has been an importantfund-raising event in support of the local branch of United Methodist Women. Pictured is a Fairefrom the 1980s.

208

NOTICIAS

Tt^cTfpstory of Scowtm^ at tKcJ^rst WmkiMdhoiist Ovwrdv 12obcrtl31css(n0 Robert Blessing has been involved with the Boy Scoutsfor over thirty years and has been Scoutmasterfor Troop 1 since 2007. Boy Scouting was officially founded in which remained a very active troop, the United States on February 8, 1910. attending many local camps and na The program had a name but it needed tional scouting events. members and leadership to make the

Boy Scout Troop 1 is considered the

program succeed. William Randolph "Oldest Troop West of the Mississippi Hearst, among other prominent cit

River." The troop has enjoyed many

izens, pledged money to support the accomplishments through the years, program. The first national Boy Scout including over eighty Eagle Scouts and office opened in New York City on June many

Silver

Beaver

Adult

Leader

1, 1910. The Boy Scouting program Awards. Troop 1 has attended many took off from there and by the fall of National jamboree campouts, traveling 1910 almost 160,000 Boy Scouts were into Utah and all over the western half of the United States, also attending In November of 1910 Boy Scout Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico,

involved in the program.

Troop 1 was founded in Santa Barbara where they embarked on a ten-day high and chartered to the Grace Methodist adventure trek which encompassed Episcopal Church. An existing youth over one hundred miles of hiking. In the 1940s a young scout named Roscoe Masonheimer was a scout in into Troop 1 and that provided the

group from the church was absorbed

troop with the boys it needed. The first Troop 1 and after receiving his Eagle Scoutmaster of Troop 1 was Frances Scout and becoming an adult, he came Miller, serving as Scoutmaster for many back to Troop 1 as Scoutmaster. Roscoe years and overseeing the first Eagle became the cornerstone of Troop 1 for Scout, Edwin Rodman. Rodman him

the next forty years. He was everyone's

self became Scoutmaster of Troop 1, leader, counselor and hero. Those years

209

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

are considered to be the "Golden America. A yearlong celebration enYears" of Troop 1 because of the con- sued with a birthday recognition on tinuity of adult leadership and the "Scout Sunday" an annual tradition large number of scouts (more than where Troop 1 participates in the First fifty) in the years throughout Roscoe's United Methodist Church Sunday sertenure. The adult leadership core of vice.

Scoutmaster

Robert

Blessing

Roscoe, Oliver Alcorn, Bill Myers, Wes- presided over the birthday festivity ley Harrison, Varisto Minnoto, and and all scouts enjoyed a day of reminisHarold Cooper stayed together for all cing about the past history of Troop 1. those years, leading youth through the successful program.

Annual fundraisers have always been a large part of the troop's success.

In 2010 Boy Scout Troop 1 celeb- A lucrative venture for over thirty rated its 100th birthday along with the years was the Christmas tree lot during centennial anniversary of Boy Scouts of the holidays at the Santa Barbara

'.'-VA

The Boy's Brigade of the mid-1890s was the precursor to Boy Scout Troop No. 1 ifi Santa Barbara. Collection of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

210

NOTICIAS

County Bowl, ending in the 1980s. proudly seeing countless members Then Troop 1 started a new annual tra- earn many of scouting's ranks, and dition, running a food booth at Old merit badges. Many scouts have also Spanish Days Fiesta, where they serve achieved the highest rank of Eagle corn on the cob, burritos and more. Scout throughout the past few years. Currently Boy Scout Troop 1 is Boy Scout Troop 1 continues to have under

the

leadership

Robert a great core of adult leaders, a thriv-

“Bobby" Blessing, who has served as ing committee and an eager group of Scoutmaster since 2002. The troop scouts who are continuing the history has continued its rich history of lead- of the "Oldest Troop West of the Mising

youth

through

the

program, sissippi River."

The Boy Scouts camp out near Las Cruces, 1923. Collection of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

211

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

^rowtlv of

m S' mU ifclcn yHcBwmcy OVlle

A long-tune member of the congregation, Helen Wilke has served as District Certified Lay Leader, membership staff person and participates in the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Beginning in the 1950s, the congrega slowly grew and developed into a tion of First Methodist Church worked thriving community of faith and wit with the California-Pacific Conference ness in Santa Barbara. Edward McMil to help create two new Methodist wor

lan and Sid Smith, both active members

shiping and serving communities in the of First Church, advised the emerging greater Santa Barbara area.

church and its leadership and secured

Early in 1959 the Rev. Frank Mat support and assistance from many thews, who served as Senior Pastor of sources. Today Saint Mark UMC con First Methodist Church from 1956 - tinues to have a vital ministry presence 1965, called a special meeting of the because of dedicated lay leadership church members who lived in the Go- and a very capable pastor, the Rev. leta area. The group was informed that Cynthia Huskey. in July 1959 the Annual Conference

University Church, because it was

would be appointing a minister to start also a campus ministry, received some a new Methodist Church (later to be additional conference support. It was named Saint Mark)in the northern part begun as a pilot program to see if a of the city. At the same time. Rev. Mat community church could successfully thews and the Conference let it be serve as a campus ministry, providing known that in July 1960 another Meth

community relationships and interac

odist Church would be forming in Isla tion with students. Three couples from Vista to serve as a local community First Church (David and Donna Coff church and campus ministry to UCSB.

man, Walter and Ann Hughes, and

First Methodist Church provided Malcolm

and

Helen

McBurney)

substantial resources to support these worked with the newly appointed min two start-up ministries in Santa Bar ister, B. Noel Phelan, to transform a bara. Saint Mark Methodist Church room of the Boy's Club into a space for

212

NOTICIAS

worship. The first worship service was riots that occurred in Isla Vista in 1968 hold there on August 14, 1960. Other and 1969. Santa Barbara First members who beCommunity support waned and came charter members were Stafford many people no longer wanted to worand Beth Hendon, Grace Mademann, ship in Isla Vista. Membership declined Marvin

and

Phyllis

Maxwell, and dramatically, finances suffered and stu dent involvement dropped. The Con-

Joseph and Jean Mulroy.

Four years later a church sanctuary ference appointed talented pastors, but was built in Isla Vista and the experi- the image of University Church was ment of a combined church and cam- tarnished. Eventually, after considering pus ministry flourished, including con- different options for how to maintain a temporary worship services and wor- ministry with students, a Korean lanshipping in the round with colorful guage ministry was begun in 2000. In 2014, the First United Methodist boxes serving as an altar. The Sunday worship service was very successful Church and St. Mark United Methodand was televised by NBC. University ist Church were approached by the Church was featured in the Methodist North District Superintendent, the magazine. Together. However, no one Rev. Cedrick Bridgeforth, about becould anticipate the effects of the burn- coming involved with a new start-up ing of the Bank of America and the two of

University

United

Methodist

:●

i . .

As the decaiie of the 1960s opened so did two new Methodist parishes. St. Mark, on La Colina Road, zuas founded to serz^e Santa Barbara's Northside neighborhood. Dallis Richardson photograph.

213

FIRST UNITED METHODIST Church.

These

two

congregations as mentors to persons new to the

combined their efforts to make pos- church and providing expertise in orsible a place where persons in Isla

ganizational issues. This small faith

Vista could find a United Methodist community, under the creative and faith-based community. Several days energetic pastoral leadership of the of manual labor were provided to

Rev. Frank Schaefer, continues to grow

help get the campus and sanctuary

and reach students and local corn-

ready for worship. In addition, a num- munity members. The involvement of ber of people from First UMC and St. United Methodists in the Santa BarMark UMC were, and continue to be, bara Mission Area has been vital to involved in supportive ways serving

Uiiivcrsit}/ Church zvas foumieci in Isla Vista both as a community church and a caffipiis min istry, serving the student body of L/C Santa Barbara. Dallis Richardson photograph.

the success of University UMC.

214

NOTICIAS

Centre SKi^rlcy ScK^|f As a member of the congregation, Shirley Schiff assisted in organizing and then taught in Centro Familiar.

FELLOWSHIP HALL ASBUfly ROOM WESLEr HALL

In the 1970s, Fran Miyade and Elvia guage skills along with child developCardenas had a dream: a bilingual edu- ment and parenting principles, while cation program for parents and chil- their young children could be lovingly dren in Santa Barbara. They hoped to cared for as they, too, were learning, find a place for that dream, a place The preschoolers would learn pre-acawhere parents could learn life and Ian- demies and social and play skills. The

215

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

children would be taught by certific- Santa Barbara's First United Church ated, experienced teachers while the shared

these

classroom

and

office

parents learned a wide range of skills spaces in common for many years, After this time at the church, from cooking and nutrition, needle working and other home skills to driv- Centro

was

established

securely

ing, language and other life skills, in a enough to be able to purchase a suitsafe and nurturing environment. These able space for all their programs, as two women envisioned a teaching and by then, Centro's staff and services counseling staff that would be profes- had expanded, and along with other sionally trained, bilingual and bicultur- services, a Children's Resource Center al if possible, in addition to being ex- provided information and support for cited about fostering a very positive family childcare providers. The move and supportive learning environment into their own facilities was cause for celebration for both Centro and the for both parent and child. Santa Barbara's First United Meth- church, as now the church's Sunday odist Church was well located to fit School classrooms could be available these particular needs, and was presen- for other children's programs. Sub ted with a proposal to share their facil- sequently, several early

childhood

{ties. The membership took this chance programs which were sponsored and to make their Sunday School administrated by school districts or classrooms available to this innovative Santa Barbara City College were program, and committees and indi- housed in those quarters, vidual members provided input and

More recently, the church as been

assistance in working with the pro- able to establish its own preschool pro gram, to be called Centro Familiar, the gram and the Garden Preschool has Santa Barbara Family Care Center. A begun

new

chapter

dream come true, Centro Familiar and Barbara's youngest scholars.

LEFT: Thefirst home ofCe)itro Familiar zuas at the First United Methodist Church as evid enced in this image from the 1990s.

for

Santa

216

NOTICIAS

'BarbffmJ'orc) A lifetime member of the congregation, Barbara Ford has been instrumental in the design and fabrication of the Lenten, Advent and Pentecost banners as well as the Advent Chrismons.

The Chrismon originated in 1957 in a books from the Virginia church and the Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia. fun began. combination of the Chrismon is Rev. Locher appointed Harry and words Christ and

Monogram. So, Bobbie Hedge and Don and Marilyn Chrismons are monograms of Christ, Stevens to head a team of volunteers, always created in white and gold, from and we met weekly at the church to symbols of early day Christianity. Oth

create our designs. We used felt, styro

er Chrismons depict the historical life foam, beads, pearls, braids and em of our Lord. More than one symbol of broidery floss. The creators were Lois his life can be used making one Chris

McDonald,

mon,for example, a cross and a lamb.

Crawford, Betty Alcorn, Maxine Mc-

An evergreen tree symbolizes etern

Dougal,

Barbara

Estelle

Ford,

Shepherd,

Phyllis Cindy

al life, so Chrismons are always put on Campbell, Eleanor Wood, Georgeann an evergreen tree at Christmas time. Locke, June Anderle, Ann Means, Pat Tiny white lights represent that Christ Shewczyk, Myrtle Blank, Martha Magis our light of the world and the Chris nuson, Karen Monson, Carol Dobbs, mons proclaim his name. Our church was introduced

Pat Toney, Florence Kimble and Char to lotte Folsom.

Cindy Campbell beaded the large Chrismons during the ministry of Rev. Donald Locher. In December 1973, Rev. five-pointed star for the tree topper. Locher took a small group to the Grace The rest joined in according to their Lutheran church to observe their decor abilities, and our first tree was dis ated Chrismon tree. At that point, it played in 1975. As our church's wor was decided to make one for our ship space is large, the tree has always church. Barbara Ford ordered pattern been from the floor to the bottom of the

217

FIRST UNITED METHODIST balcony. There

were

only

enough to be pure, with just the white and gold

Chrismons that first year for the front Chrismons for decoration. The Chrisand sides of the tree. The evergreen mon makers liked the illumination of trees, for many years, were donated by the lights, and would have them light our church's Boy Scout Troop from

up as the congregation entered the

their tree lot.

church on Sunday mornings. Rev. Don

The Chrismon workers were a de- would turn the lights off just before he lightful group to be a part of, as they walked down the center aisle. Once he loved

being together and

lovingly was up front, the lights would miracu-

made these treasures for our church, lously come on again for the service. The tree is still an excellent addition to This happened week after week during the Christmas season. As new ministers our Christmas sanctuary. A side note: Rev. Locher was not came to serve, the lights have remained happy with the addition of the small in service to make our trees so special white lights on the tree. He wanted it each year.

The handmade Chrismons have graced Christmas trees at First United Methodist Church since 1975.

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uj;^croi(j4U2)()ti4g

oi|£ SIZ

SVDIXOKI

219

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

The Center observed its 31st year in invading the shops, bringing in drinks 2017. In 1986, Lois Grua and I, both and food, trying on clothes, man-hand teachers, often lamented to each other ling the merchandise, littering, and that the public schools had many prob

even shoplifting. They even had a lems. I was teaching English at Santa name: Mall Rats. Barbara High School and she was a A Good Idea

Special Education teacher at the Alpha School. Lois was a private tutor as well. At that time the schools were ex

The idea occurred to us that the

tremely crowded and classrooms often church had potential for an outstand held as many as forty students to one ing after-school teen program. A huge teacher with no teaching aide. With a gymnasium with basketball courts, class of that proportion it is difficult, if kitchen and studying space in quiet not impossible, for a teacher to spend rooms along with adult supervision much quality time on a one-on-one within walking distance of Santa Bar basis with a single student, unless one bara High and Junior High seemed held him or her after school. Public ideal for an after-school facility, espe tutoring in the schools was virtually cially one featuring academic help at non-existent and private tutoring aver no cost. We felt also that the church's aged $15.00 per hour at the least. Now superb buildings were often empty it is over $50.00 per hour.

except for Sundays and other activit ies of the congregation, as well as

No Place to Go

home to Boy Scout Troop 1. We took

the idea to Rev. George Walters, and One day I picked up a copy of the to the Council of Ministries with a Los Angeles Times to read that one of the presentation explaining the need for problems the schools were having in such a service and a desire to utilize that city was that the shopping malls our building and environs for an aca were Inundated with huge numbers of demic as well as recreational purpose kids who had no place to go after to students with after-school time on school, wreaking havoc with the mer

their hands. We also were aware of

chants. Locally we were having a simil

the number of retired teachers in our

ar problem at Victoria Court on State congregation with skills in many dis Street, with an article in the local news ciplines. paper about this situation. Kids were

Pastor

and

congregation

went

NOTICIAS

220

along with the plan and the Drop-In cess despite her handicap would be an Center came into existence with its first inspiration for others. professional supervisor, Doug Faker. A Board of Directors was assembled and

Contribution to Community

by-laws were written. Soon we had a viable board of eighteen members with

Our board supported the Drop-In

some tutoring as well. The center was Center by private donations and an named after Cynthia Morrow, the late annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Sup daughter of Ruth and Bob Morrow, per. We employed a credentialed Su their only child, born with spinal bifida pervisor, Robin McMann, as well as that had confined her to a wheelchair professional tutors from the Work for life. Despite her handicap, she en

Study Program at UC Santa Barbara.

rolled at Santa Barbara City College We are proud of our contribution to with her mother to earn her AA in Eng our church's outreach ministry and lish. At the same time, Ruth earned an we feel our influence goes beyond the AA in the Library Technician program. students to Both appeared in a special Santa Bar

parents, teachers and

counselors. Principals and faculties

bara News-Press feature in recognition endorsed the project, and School of their achievement. Board members served on the board. Many of us served as board members The Ideal Model

since its inception and many of the congregation tutored as well. The

Cynthia's overcoming of her handi

Drop-In Center was one of the finest contributions our church has made to

cap in order to acquire a college educa tion seemed to us the ideal model for our community and to the lives and

secondary school students to achieve fortunes of many of its citizens. We their goals by wanting to go an extra also enjoy the unique honor of being mile after school for expert homework the only church in town with an aca assistance and tutoring. Cynthia's sue- demic offering of this proven success.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

221

Sue Sue Ziliotto is thefounder of the Interfaith Prayer Shazol Ministry in Santa Barbara.

The Interfaith Prayer Shawl Ministry special need.

These shawls provide

began at FUMC in Santa Barbara in both physical and emotional warmth to 2007 when a long time member pro- the recipients in a way that is simple posed to the current church ministers and ageless.

Throughout the centur-

that we begin such a ministry in this ies^ shawls have come to symbolize church, based on the ministry of other shelter, peace, and spiritual sustenance. Methodist churches in other cities as Each Tuesday afternoon, the memwell

other

throughout

the

Protestant

churches bers gather in friendship and support

U.S. The

ministry of one another as they begin a new pro-

began as an outreach program of the ject or prepare to complete a work in church's Fellowship and Caring Minis- progress. Once the shawls are corntries. Not long after the group was pleted, they are kept in a special room formed, members from other faiths until a blessing is held at a Sunday joined their Methodist friends to either church service, usually twice a year, crochet or knit prayer shawls, lap The shawls are brought to the sanctublankets, capes, and baby blankets; ary and placed on the communion rail therefore, the word "Interfaith' was and during the worship service, the added to the original name.

minister will ask for God's blessing on

Prayer shawls/blankets are given the shawls as well as the creators, as a for a variety of reasons and are presen- reminder of God's love and of the ted to a recipient with prayers invoking blessings of all congregation members. God's blessing and comfort for their

Once the shawls are blessed, they

222

NOTICIAS

are ready to be given as a gift to reach

given to the Cancer Center, especially

out with love and care to others who

for those going through chemo ther

are

apy, to those in the care centers of the

needed of healing, to console those

various retirement communities and

who are grieving, to bring hope to

health care centers and to various res

those in despair or in transition, or to

idential care facilities in town. Many

provide for someone in need of a spe

of the baby blankets were given to the

cial blessing. Additionally, it is not al¬

single mothers' residence for their ba

hurting,

comfort

those

ways in the time of need that shawls bies and others are given at the time of are given, It could be the birth of a

baptism.

When requested, which is

baby or to a couple who have just been

quite often, shawls are mailed to loved

married, to someone moving to a new

ones who live all across the U.S. We

city, or even for a special celebration. have even sent some internationally. Most of the time, since the visitation

To this date, it is estimated that over

minister visits those confined to their

350

shawls, lap

robes

and

baby

home or in the hospital, the shawls blankets have been given out to those will be personally delivered. Recently, who would appreciate this gift of love, the ministry is branching out to the

caring, blessings, and support each

community as shawls are now being

mantle represents.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry began in Santa Barbara in 2007 and over 350 shozols, lap robes and baby blankets have been given during the ten years of the program.

223

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

Sue '^iotto In addition to her involvement with Living Nativity, Sue Ziliotto has been a choir member, has chaired numerous committees and is the creator of the Interfaith Prayer Shawl Mmistry.

The concept for the Living Nativity will make the 27th year of the Living began with the Rev. LLoyd Saatjian in Nativity, an event that has become a December 1990. His church in Palm tradition for the church. The event is a Springs started one, using live animals quiet, reflective time during which and parishioners portraying the Holy people can simply sit and watch the Family, shepherds and Magi. When animals and people portraying Mary, Rev. Saatjian's suggestion to do some

Joseph, the Magi, shepherds, and an

thing similar in Santa Barbara met with gels. At times, some of the children approval, he reportedly replied, "That's who stop by with their parents want to good, because I've already ordered the participate by being shepherds so they camels." can be close to the animals. We wel Originally, the animals came from come them to take part. a

farm

Winchester,

Riverside

The

cast

animal

characters

County, California, where they were changes every year. Many times there raised. Later they came from a ranch are baby donkeys, goats or sheep. in Acton and presently they travel all There liave even been alpacas and bur the way from a ranch in Arizona. ros. One year, a miniature cow visited While in Santa Barbara, they are able baby Jesus. But always, there are two to stay in the stalls at the Earl Warren camels. In 2015, we had a mother camel Showgrounds. This year of our 150th celebration

and her five-month-old baby. The nativity scene is very tranquil

NOTICIAS

224

For twenty-seven years the Living Nativity at the First United Methodist Church has been a popular Christmas tradition in Santa Barbara.

and peaceful, as long as the camels are

This nativity offering is a gift to the

happy. However, much goes on behind community from the church and there the scenes to dress the next cast who is no charge to view. Visitors are are preparing to go on at the end of offered refreshments and they can enter twenty minutes. Since the presentation the church's sanctuary for a quiet time each evening happens between 5:30 and to gain inspiration from the beauty and 7:30 pm, there are four cast of the historic two-story sanctuary, changes every evening, for all three which is decorated for the season with evenings late in December.

a towering Christmas tree.

225

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

Arson^chuiib JVcjccts Jamcellrooha Janice Kroekel has been an active member of Stephen Ministri/, chancel choir and the Arson Rebuild teams among other committees. In the mid-1990s a rash of church burn

fielding an August work team for the

ings took place in the South. The major

Arson Rebuild projects under the leader

ity were small churches with predom

ship of Rev. LLoyd Saatjian. In 1998,

inately African American congrega

members of Congregation B'Nai Brith

tions in rural areas served by a volun

joined our work team and subsequent teer fire department. Not all were the teams. In all, FUMC/B'Nai Brith fielded twelve work teams from 1997 - 2010 result of Klan activity. The burnings were ruled arson, un

with the exceptions of 2004 and 2006.

determined or suspicious. Some of the After Rev. Saatjian's retirement. Rev. arsonists were prosecuted. In some Hillary Chrisley led the work teams. A situations the local authorities ruled the total of four United Methodist Churches fires accidental but church members in Southern California fielded work had reason to believe otherwise. teams to assist in the rebuild: San Luis These fires did not just burn a Obispo, Santa Barbara, Northridge, and house of worship; they damaged a Los Angeles. Work teams ranged in size community. The church building was from fifteen to forty. The National Coalition for Burned a school, a meeting place and a place for worship. As a result the com- Churches disbanded after the last Ar munity was scattered and paralyzed. son Rebuild project in 2010. Unfortu As one church member said, "The nately, the burning of houses of wor church burning robbed us of our fo ship has not stopped and, although cus on God." attempts have been made to find addi The overall coordination for the Ar

tional projects, it has proven very diffi

son Rebuild projects was managed by cult without the expertise of an overall the National Coalition for Burned organizing group like the National Co Churches. In 1997 our church began alition.

NOTICIAS

226

list of^rsonT^cbw'l^ JVojccts 1997

Spring Hill African Methodist Episcopal Church, Dillon, SC

2003

Sand Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, Selma, AL

1998

Prayer Home Mission Summerton, SC

2005

Williams AME Zion

Rice Chapel Buffalo, SC

2006

2000

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Millen, GA

2007

Spring Beulah Church of Christ Ruth, MS

2001

Antioch United Holy Church Rocky Point, NC

2009

Greater Bethelpore Baptist Church, Bleecker, AL

2002

Greater Jefferson Missionary Baptist Church, Eatonton, GA

2010

Macedonia Church of God in

1999

Angier, NC Bethel AME Church Summerville,SC

Christ, Springfield, MA

227

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

J)»mcs OjDpon A member of the congregation since 1975, James Cappoii has served variously as an usher, a Trustee and a zoork team member.

When a church member's new teaching tion of UMCOR (United Methodist assignment sent her to the Pueblo Committee on Relief). They rebuilt two Pintado School on the Navajo Reserva- of the many damaged houses following tion in New Mexico, the Sunday School the Missouri River floods.

The two

students at FUMC soon struck up a pen houses had been underwater ceiling pal correspondence with the children high for twenty-nine days and bethere. Soon after a group of adults and longed to two elderly women who had children traveled to New Mexico to no funds for repairs. begin the first Work Team Project. 1992—Navajo Indian School, Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico

Work included

general clean-up, electrical, drywall installation and the building of cabinets for the kitchen. While the team worked on one house, the house next door was bulldozed.

Because of the distance to their homes, the children lived at the government-

1994—Methodist Mission Hospital

run school during the week and traveled to their homes on weekends.

and Dental Clinic, Maua,Kenya

The

work

team

from

the

FUMC

worked at the school for a week doing repairs, painting and landscaping.

Three members from the FUMC joined other Methodists from the Pasadena area as part of their ongoing support of a mission hospital project in

1993—Missouri River Flood, Elwood, Kansas

Kenya.

This year's project included

installing the plumbing and septic systerns for a motel-like building that was

Our church was part of a group of j-q provide housing during hygiene Methodists from Southern California training sessions for single women and and Hawaii, working under the direc- young mothers. Locals were hired and

NOTICIAS

228

worked alongside team members in While the team was there the eye of digging trenches and pits for the septic Hurricane

Bertha

passed

over

St.

system. Pipe fittings from the U. S., Thomas and the team watched more sinks and toilets from Nairobi and roofs being damaged. Following the faucets and valves from India all came hurricane, the team was without electogether on the project. Rubber gaskets tricity for five days, cut from an old inner tube were used to seal the ensuing leaks. Weekend breaks

1997—Nutrition Center,

included trips to the game parks and

Chichicastenango, Guatemala

included a long weekend safari on the Serengeti among the herds of migrating FUMC members again joined the San animals. Diego group and returned to Guatemala. 1995—Medical/Dental Clinic,

This year's project was to construct a nutrition center of concrete blocks. All

Chichicastenango, Guatemala

construction was done by hand. One of the first day's projects was to build a

Members from the FUMC joined others concrete block privy. The nutrition center from the San Diego area as part of an building was to be used for housing up to ongoing project to help the women sur- twenty malnourished children and for vivors of the rebel uprising support teaching adults proper nutrition and themselves. This year's project was the hygiene. Weekends were used for sightcompletion of a Medical/Dental Clinic. seeing including a trip to Mayan ruins Work included roof repair, rewiring, near Belize, plumbing, and cabinet making. While the team was there, a medical team from the states arrived and treated over

1998—Methodist Church Refurbishment, Sitka, Alaska

seven hundred patients. FUMC members traveled to the land of 1996—Hurricane Hugo Damage,St.

the midnight sun and worked on a small

Thomas,US Virgin Islands

Methodist church in the land historically Russian Orthodox.

FUMC members traveled to St. Thomas wallpapering,

Projects included

landscaping,

exterior

to repair some of the damage resulting painting, play yard clean-up and fencing, from Hurricane Hugo the previous and adding a shelf to the sanctuary year. Work included roof repairs, win- chairs for storage of hymnals and bibles. dows and doors and general carpentry. Time was available for hiking and sight-

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

229

seeing as Sitka had twenty-four hours of the loft and exterior of a storage area, daylight. Almost everyone, including Evenings and weekends were spent visiting Russians, knew of Santa Barbara sightseeing. The last day of the trip was spent in old Vienna.

from the TV soap opera.

2006—Hurricane Katrina Damage, New Orleans, Louisiana

2002—New Church Building, Tjakastadt, South Africa

Two members of FUMC joined a group To date, team members from FUMC from Texas to construct an all-brick and others have made two trips to New church building in a town about sixty Orleans and worked on houses dammiles east of Johannesburg. The bricks aged by Hurricane Katrina. All of the were locally hand made, rough-tex- houses suffered major flood damage tured and not uniform in color. Their from water eight or more feet in height, composition helped in masking mis- Work effort involved the removal of takes made by the novice bricklayers, furnishings, shoveling out muck and Women from the community worked

debris, stripping the walls down to the

alongside the team. The noticeable ab- studs, and the removal of flooring, apsence of men in the community was pliances and cabinets, because most worked in Johannesburg and returned home about one weekend a month. A highlight for the team was

2008—Hopi Indian Reservation, Second Mesa, Arizona

a four-day stay in Kruger National Park with early morning walk-abouts Team members from FUMC and others renovated the home of one of the tribes among the wild animals. five elders.

Work included replacing

2005—Mission Church, Banska

the old floor covering with new vinyl,

Bystrica, Slovakia

clearing kitchen and bathroom drains,

Church

members

worked

adding plumbing and wiring for an the electrical water heater, and installing

FUMC-supported missionary site in the water heater, installing a shower Slovakia.

Work performed included

stall with plumbing, replacing ceiling

removal of the existing sanctuary floor, light fixtures, correcting faulty wiring, helping install a new floor, interior installing a bedroom door, repairing painting,

running

electrical

wires broken windows, and replacing the

between buildings, and refurbishing pot belly stove.

NOTICIAS

230

yurs ofMQt\\obistMinistry 1867-R. R. Dunlap

1908 - P. P Carroll

1868 - P. Y. Cool

1910 - Harry White

1871 - Robert Bentley

1914 - C. B. Dalton

1876 - Stephen Bowers

1917-W. M.Jeffers

1877-A. H. Tevis

1918 - Alfred Hughes

1878 - Charles Shilling

1922-J. W. Neely

1879 - F. D. Bovard

1923 - Samuel Hughes

1880-J. A. Van Anda

1928 - Lincoln Ferris

1881 - T. S. Ureen

1931 - Don Ford

1883 - W. A. Knighten

1932-Ralph Lee

1886 - S. W.Brown

1937 - John Ashley

1887 - T. E. Robinson

1943 - R. K. Swenerton

1888 - E. W.Caswell

1949 - Will Hilderbrand

1890 - S. W.Brown

1956 - Frank Matthews

1891 - F. M.Larkin

1965 - Ralph Johnson

1892 - T. C. Miller

1971 - Don Locher

1895 - C. A. Westenberg

1977 - Robert Weirbach

1899 - B. C. Cory

1984 - George Walters

1901 - S. J. Carroll

1989 - LLoyd Saatjian

1903 - A. Inwood

2004 - Hillary Chrisley

1905 - R. L. Bruce

2014 - Mark Richardson

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

Rev. Ralph Johnson portrays a Methodist circuit rider in honor of the church's 100th anniversary in 1967. NEXT PAGE: The congregation celebrates the 150th anniversary of the First United Methodist Church, October 21, 2017. Dallis Richardson photograph.

231

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