Our History
In 2010 we celebrate our 118th year in ministry, and our 112th year in our beautiful church building!
We trace our beginnings back to 1892 when the Rev. George Alexander preached an afternoon sermon with 14 in attendance. In 1898 we moved to our present location on the corner of Bardsdale Avenue and Ventura Street when two lots were donated to the church by Senator Thomas Bard. Our sanctuary was dedicated on April 15, 1899. In 1914 the building was expanded with the addition of the wing which now houses our church offices. In 1926 the chancel area was expanded, and the basement was finished.
In August of 1982 a section of the original plaster ceiling collapsed during a morning worship service. Driven by the faith and vision of the Rev. Bob Ness, and the generous and faithful support of church members and friends in the community, this lead to a four year, million dollar renovation and resoration of the church facility. The renovation included the addition of new stained glass windows to complement the existing windows, oak chancellory, a hand carved pulpit and lectern, new chandeliers and the construction and addition of our schoenstein organ. Our church became a national historical landmark during this time.
In 2006, approximately three quarters of an acre of land was gifted to the church. We are currently in the process of visioning how to best use this gift to enhance and expand our mission and ministry. Our visions so far include a new parking area and the eventual construction of a new multi-purpose building. It is an exciting time!
As we celebrate the mission and ministry we have lived out over the last 118 years, we also stand at a crossroads. Like those whose legacy we stand on, we look ahead to the future. As we continue to dream and plan, we believe that for this congregation the best is yet to come!
