USA > California > Alameda County > Oakland > Bishop's Oakland directory for 1874 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
SHARP MARIA Mrs., proprietress Parker House, 479 Ninth
WILCOX H. E. (successor to Grosso & Wilcox), importer and dealer hardware and agricultural implements, 955 Broadway, dwl Hobart bet Telegraph and San Pablo avs.
Old Pianos taken in Exchange at GRAY'S, 625 Clay Street, S. F.
Improve your sight with HOUSEWORTH'S PEBBLE SPECTACLES, 9 Montgomery Street, S. F.
R. C. GASKILL, Agent of the Ætna Ins. Co .; Office, 917 Broadway, Oakland.
CHURCHES.
-
65
CHURCHES.
First Baptist.
Location, southeast corner of Fourteenth and Brush streets. (Vacant), Pastor.
This church was organized in December, 1854, under the labors of Rev. E. J. Willis, missionary.
The first house of worship was dedicated December, 1854, and was the second Protestant house of worship completed in this city. It was located at the corner of Fifth and Jefferson streets, and cost with the land about $2,000.
Mr. Willis' pastorate terminated in June, 1856. The church was without a Pastor for about a year. In May, 1857, Rev. Har- vey Gilbert began to preach, and four months later, was settled as Pastor. He resigned in December, 1858, and was succeeded in April, 1859, by Rev. J. B. Saxton. In May, 1863, Mr. Saxton having left, Rev. John Francis became Pastor of the church. Soon thereafter the house of worship was removed to the corner of Ninth and Clay streets-a more eligible situation in view of the rapid growth of the city. This house, and the lot on which it was located, were sold, when the new edifice was erected to the Oakland Turn Verein.
Mr. Francis resigned in July, 1864, and was succeeded, in November of the same year, by Rev. A. L. Baker, a recent grad- uate from Rochester. Mr. Baker was compelled to resign in a few months on account of ill-health. In July, 1865, Rev. B. T. Martin was called to the pastorate, and continued Pastor for nearly six years. During Mr. Martin's pastorate, the present house of worship was erected, at a cost of about $30,000, and was formally dedicated in March, 1869, the chapel in the rear having been occupied three months before, and used while the main building was being completed. The lot cost $2,500.
In February, 1871, Mr. Martin resigned his position as Pastor, since which time the church has had supplies most of the time, until June, 1873, when the Rev. R. F. Parshall assumed the du- ties of Pastor, who continued until Oct., 1873, when he resigned.
Services every Sunday, at forty five minutes past ten o'clock A.M., and half past seven o'clock P.M. Prayer meeting, Wednes- day evenings. Covenant meeting, Wednesday evening before first Sabbath in each month.
The Sunday School connected with the church was organized in 1854. It has an attendance of over two hundred scholars, and a library of five hundred volumes. Meets at one o'clock P.M. Superintendent, A. W. Brodt. A Chinese Sunday School of one hundred pupils is connected with the church. Meets at six o'clock P.M. Superintendent, J. P. Cogswell.
PAGE & JORDAN, Collections made, 462 Tenth St. near Broadway, Oakland.
5
Phoenix Insurance Co. (Fire) of Hartford, BABER & ROFF, Agents, Broadway and Tenth, Oakland.
E. W. WOODWARD, 952 Broadway, Real Estate Agent and Collector.
66
OAKLAND DIRECTORY.
Church officers .- William Watts and G. W. Dam, Deacons; A. L. Warner, S. B. Maloon, Dr. J. R. Bradway, G. W. Dam, and William Watts, Trustees; W. Chamberlain, Treasurer; Wil- liam Garthwait, Clerk.
Baptist (East Oakland).
Location, northeast corner of East Fourteenth Street and Tenth Avenue. Rev. Thomas G. McLean, Pastoral Supply; res- idence, northeast corner of East Sixteenth Street and Eleventh Avenue.
This church was organized February 9, 1860, with twelve mem- bers. The Rev. J. B. Saxton was unanimously chosen Pas- tor at the time of organization, and officiated until May, 1863, when he resigned. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Francis, in June, 1863, who held the pastorate until December, 1869. From that time the church was supplied by Rev. E. Andrews, Rev. C. B. Egan, and Rev. T. C. Jamison, until September, 1871, when the Rev. William Perry took charge and officiated until November, 1872, since which time the church has had no settled Pastor. Number of communicants, August, 1873, about forty-four.
The lot on which the church stands was donated by Mr. A. K. Warner. The erection of the edifice was commenced April 16th, 1860; it was completed and dedicated the following September.
The Sunday School connected with the church was organized in 1860. It has an average attendance of sixty teachers and scholars, and a library of two hundred volumes. Meets imme- diately after morning service. Superintendent, S. S. Howell.
Church officers .- N. J. Thompson and S. S. Howell, Deacons; N. J. Thompson, Shadrick Osborn, Branson Bangle, E. Grover (Treasurer), Trustees; J. M. Hartman, Clerk.
First Congregational.
Location, northeast corner of Washington and Tenth streets. Rev. J. K. McLean, Pastor; residence, 1008 Washington Street.
This church was organized December 9, 1860, with a mem- bership of seventeen persons. The Rev. George Pierson, of the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church, officiated as Pastor until May 6, 1861, when the Rev. George Mooar was called to the pastorate, and continued in charge until May, 1872, when the present Pastor arrived. At present there are about three hundred com- municants.
The society, which has charge of the finances of the church, was organized January 7, 1861. In the following September they purchased a block of land, bounded by Broadway, Wash- ington, Tenth, and Eleventh streets, for $1,400, one half of which they sold in 1872 for the sum of $65,000.
The church edifice was dedicated June 8, 1862, and cost, in- cluding furniture, $11,345. In 1867 the building was enlarged at an expense of $3,500, and in 1868 a chapel erected at an ad-
Hear the GUILD, CHURCH & CO.'S PIANOS at Gray's, 625 Clay St., S. F.
Have your Photograph taken by HOUSEWORTH, 12 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House, S. F.
Ætna Insurance Co. of Hartford, R. C. GASKILL, Agent, 917 Broadway.
CHURCHIES.
67
ditional cost of $2,500. In the Spring of 1872 the church and chapel were removed, enlarged, and refitted, at an expense of $8,000.
The Sunday School connected with the church was organized in December, 1860. It has an average attendance of two hun- dred and seventy-five teachers and scholars, and a library of one thousand volumes. Meets at half past twelve o'clock P.M. Su- perintendent, W. K. Flint. The church has under its control two branch Sunday Schools, viz., the Mission, located on Second Street, near Washington, organized in 1868, with an attendance of about one hundred and fifty, Superintendent, F. W. Gill; and the Temescal, located on Telegraph Avenue, organized in 1871, with an attendance of forty, Superintendent, Israel W. Knox. Also a Chinese School of over one hundred scholars, W. K. Row- ell, Superintendent.
Church officers .- T. B. Bigelow, R. E. Cole, E. P. Flint, T. L. Walker, I. W. Knox, and M. Kellogg, Deacons; C. W. Kellogg, Clerk and Treasurer.
Second Congregational.
Location, southeast corner of Wood and Goss streets, Oakland Point. Rev. J. T. Wills, Pastor.
This church was organized May 31, 1868, with a membership of nine persons. The Rev. Eli Corwin was installed Pastor, in November, 1868, and resigned January 1, 1870. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. David B. Gray, who was installed August 9, 1870, and officiated until August, 1873. Number of communi- cants, about fifty.
The edifice occupied by this congregation was dedicated Au-
.
gust 31, 1868, and cost, including lot, about $4,500.
The Sunday School connected with the church was organized August 12, 1867. It has an attendance of one hundred and forty teachers and scholars, and a library of three hundred vol- umes. Meets at half past twelve o'clock P.M .; Superintendent, W. H. Craig.
Church officers .-- L. P. Collins, Deacon; J. A. Folger, Jacob Collyer, W. O. Wedgwood, L. P. Collins, and Q. A. Chase, Trustees of Society.
St. John's (Episcopal).
Location, west side of Grove Street, between Seventh and Eighth. Rev. Benjamin Akerly, D.D., Rector ; residence, west side of Adeline Street, between West Fourteenth and West Six- teenth. The Rector is in his study, rear of the church, daily, from nine o'clock A.M., till twelve M.
This church had an humble origin when Oakland numbered but few houses, and not over a hundred inhabitants. During the Summer of 1852, two families met and worshiped unitedly until a member of one of the families fell seriously ill, when the services were discontinued.
PAGE & JORDAN, Ag'ts Hartford Fire Ins. Co., 462 Tenth nr Broadway, Oak'd.
Home Insurance Co. (Fire) of New York, BABER & ROFF, Agents, Broadway and Tenth, Oakland.
E. W. WOODWARD, 952 Broadway, Real Estate Agent and Collector.
68
OAKLAND DIRECTORY.
HOUSEWORTH'S SALES ROOM, 9 Montgomery Street, S. F.
In August, 1853, Rev. Dr. Ver Mehr, Rector of Grace Church, San Francisco, visited Oakland to aid in the establishment of a church, and with much difficulty a meeting of twelve persons was convened. For various reasons, however, the project was for the time abandoned. Toward the close of the same year, the Rev. Dr. Morgan appeared, and preached a sermon to a small but attentive audience beneath the branches of one of Oakland's shady trees; and so favorable was the impression then made, that it was determined that a covered church of some kind should be procured by the following Sunday, if the reverend gentleman would repeat his visit. A large tent, twenty-five by seventy feet, was erected, with a cross upon the apex to desig- nate the object of the structure, and a temporary pulpit fitted up. Mr. Morgan, however, was in some manner detained, but a Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Mr. Walsworth, who had inci- dentally visited Oakland, being present in the congregation, was invited to officiate. The same week the tent and appur- tenances were sold to the Presbyterians.
In December, 1854, the Right Rev. Bishop Kip celebrated di- vine service in a room that had been prepared for the purpose. In January, 1855, the missionary, Rev. E. W. Syle arrived, and became acting Rector of the embryo parish. The first commun- ion service was celebrated on Sunday, February 4, when eleven communed with the Rector. On March 5 of the same year, the parish was regularly incorporated and trustees elected, but it was not until the 8th of August following that a constitution and by-laws were finally adopted. During the same month a rented room was fitted up as a church, with benches, at a cost of $150, current expenses being met by collections every Sunday.
. The Rev. Mr. Syle resigned January, 1856, and from that time lay services were regularly held, Bishop Kip occasionally officiating.
In July, 1856, the Rev. James W. Capen became Rector, and continued in charge until 1857, when he resigned.
On March 1st, 1858, the present Rector entered upon the dis- charge of his duties.
A lot was purchased in 1860 for the sum of $450, and a church edifice erected thereon at a cost of $2,600, which has since been enlarged twice. The church was consecrated to divine service March 1, 1860. Number of communicants, August, 1873, one hundred and fifty.
Services every Sunday at eleven o'clock A.M., and half past seven o'clock P.M. On week days, daily morning prayer, at ten o'clock. Holy Communion, the first Sunday of each month; also upon each Saint's Day and Festival.
Mission Services on Sunday at Temescal, in the School House at four o'clock P.M., and at Oakland Point in the Congregational Church at three o'clock P.M. At these Mission services the as- sistance is had of the Rev. C. W. Turner and Rev. Sidney Wilbur.
The Sunday School connected with the church was organized April, 1858. It has an attendance of one hundred and twenty-
Best Piano Tuners at GRAY'S, 625 Clay Street, S. F.
Great Fires prove the Strength of the ÆTNA INSURANCE COMPANY.
CHURCHES. 69
five teachers and scholars, and a library of eight hundred vol- umes. Meets at forty-five minutes past nine o'clock A.M. Su- perintendent, Stephen Smith.
Church officers .- R. W. Kirkham, Senior Warden; Charles D. Haven, Junior Warden; Dr. W. J. Younger, Clerk; James De Fremery, Robert H. Bennett, Joseph W. Jordan, and Dr. J. C. Van Wyck, Vestrymen; Charles Oxland, Treasurer.
St. Paul's (Episcopal).
Location, southeast corner of Twelfth and Webster streets. Rev. Charles W. Turner, Rector; residence, Tubbs' Hotel.
This church was organized January 19, 1871, with a mem- bership of twenty. The Rev. Thomas Williams was placed tem- porarily in charge, and officiated until May, 1871, when the present Rector was called to the parish.
Immediately after the date of organization, the congregation purchased a lot and edifice for the sum of $10,000, fitting it for divine service at a cost of $2,500 additional. In August, 1872, the church building was enlarged and greatly improved at an expense of $4,000. It will now accommodate three hundred and fifty people; and besides the church itself has a vestry room and two large rooms for the Sunday School and other purposes. Number of communicants, May, 1873, ninety-two.
The Sunday School connected with the church was organized January, 1871. It has an attendance of about sixty-six teachers and scholars, and a library of one hundred and fifty volumes. Meets at forty-five minutes past two o'clock P.M. Superintend- ent, Dana Harmon.
Church officers .- Allen I. Gladding, Senior Warden; Watson ~Webb, Junior Warden and Treasurer; John C. Kelton, Secretary; John A. Stanly, John B. Harmon, Thomas Yolland, William C. Parker, Heman P. Babcock, George A. Parker, L. L. Baker, and E. B. Marsh, Vestrymen.
Church of the Advent (Episcopal).
Location, southwest corner of Seventeenth Avenue and East Fourteenth Street. Rev. Sidney Wilbur, Rector; residence, with James McGrath, west side Sixteenth Avenue near East Six- teenth Street.
This church was organized May 25, 1860. The Rev. Ben- jamin Akerly, of St John's Church, Oakland, was the first Rector, and officiated until February 25th, 1866, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Daniel Wills. In 1869, Mr. Wills re- signed, and was succeeded by the Rev. Daniel Kendig, who continued in charge until July, 1870. In January, 1871, the present Rector entered upon the discharge of his duties. Num- ber of communicants, June, 1873, fifty.
In the Spring of 1860, James B. Larue, Esq., donated to the parish two lots on the corner of Broadway and Adams streets; and the same year the church edifice was erected, at a cost of
PAGE & JORDAN, Real Estate, 462 Tenth Street near Broadway, Oakland.
North British & Mercantile Insurance Co. (British) BABER & ROFF, Agents, Broadway and Tenth, Oakland.
E. W. WOODWARD, 952 Broadway, Real Estate Agent and Collector.
70
OAKLAND DIRECTORY.
$2,400. Since that date, the sum of $600 has been expended in improving the building and lots.
The Sunday School connected with the church was organized in 1860. It has an attendance of seventy teachers and scholars, and a library of two hundred volumes. Meets at half past nine o'clock A.M. Superintendent, Rev. Sidney Wilbur.
Church officers. - E. G. Mathews, Senior Warden ; C. M. Nichols, Junior Warden; A. F. Rodgers, Dr. M. W. Fish, J. West Martin, M. F. Truett, and L. J. Rector, Vestrymen; L. J. Rector, Parish Clerk.
Methodist Episcopal.
Location, southwest corner of Washington and Ninth streets. Rev. W. J. Maclay, Pastor; residence, 770 Tenth Street.
This church was organized in 1862, through the exertions of Rev. C. E. Rich, who entered upon his duties as Pastor in Sep- tember of the same year, and continued in charge until Sep- tember, 1864, when he was succeeded by the Rev. C. Miller, who officiated one year. The Rev. H. H. Hartwell next took charge, until September, 1866, when he was succeeded by the Rev. L. Walker, who officiated until September, 1869, when he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. T. S. Dunn, who officiated until September, 1872, when the present Pastor entered upon the discharge of his duties. In Dec., 1862, a small building was erected on the cor- ner of Sixth and Washington streets, and used as a chapel until 1864, when the society purchased a lot for the sum of $1,000, and erected the edifice now occupied by them at a cost of about $4,500. Number of communicants, June, 1873, one hundred and forty.
The Sunday School connected with the church was organized December, 1862. It has an average attendance of one hundred and thirty teachers and scholars, and a library of seven hundred and ninety-three volumes. Three hundred and ten Sunday School papers and magazines are distributed monthly. Meets at half past nine o'clock A.M.
Church officers .- M. T. Holcomb, W. J. Tucker, C. H. Bradley, M. S. Hurd, E. W. Playter, George Miller, James Stratton, W. W. Terry, and William H. Rouse, Board of Stewards; C. H. Bradley, M. T. Holcomb, George Miller, John W. Carrick, and James T. Stratton, Trustees.
African Methodist Episcopal.
Location, southeast corner of Market and Seventh streets. (Vacant), Pastor.
This church had its origin in 1862, when a small congregation was brought together through the exertions of Mr. Abram Gross, who preached to them for a time in a school house near the cor- ner of Clay and Fifth streets. They afterwards worshiped for a few months at the residence of a member of the congregation, and then in the public school house at Brooklyn.
First Premium to Guild, Church & Co.'s Pianos at GRAY'S, 625 Clay St., S. F.
HOUSEWORTH'S PEBBLE SPECTACLES, 9 Montgomery Street, under Lick House, S. F.
ÆTNA INS. CO. has Cash Capital of $3,000,000; Cash Assets over $6,000,000.
CHURCHES.
71
In 1863 they organized and purchased a lot and the small wooden edifice which they now occupy, for the sum of $700. Mr. John Lane, a local preacher, then took charge and officiated about one year. Since his connection with the church ceased, several local preachers officiated successively until the Spring of 1872, when the Rev. James Dorsey took charge.
The Sunday School connected with the church was organized in 1868. It has an attendance of about twenty teachers and scholars. Meets at one o'clock P.M. Superintendent, Isaac Flood.
Church officers .- Abram Gross, Isaac Flood, and Prince Wil- liams, Stewards; Abram Gross, Isaac Flood, Prince Williams, George Howard, and Samuel Bowser, Trustees.
German Methodist Episcopal.
Rev. Hermann Brueck, Pastor; residence, 765 Jackson Street. This church was organized in the Fall of 1872, with a member- ship of eight.
Services are held every Sunday at forty-five minutes past ten o'clock A.M., and half past seven o'clock P.M., in the Mission Sunday School building, on the north side of Second Street, between Broadway and Washington. The congregation con- template erecting a church edifice of their own as soon as prac- ticable.
The Sunday School connected with the church meets at nine o'clock A. M.
Church officers .- Christian Rode, August Kaese, and A. W. Brueck, Stewards.
First Presbyterian.
Location, southeast corner of Broadway and Thirteenth streets. Rev. James Eells, D.D., Pastor; residence, southwest corner of Telegraph Avenue and Hobart Street.
This church was organized in the Spring of 1853, being the oldest of any denomination in Oakland. The first services were held in a cloth tent, and afterward in the public school house under the pastoral charge of the Rev. S. B. Bell. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. E. B. Walsworth, who officiated until De- cember, 1865, when the Rev. L. Hamilton was called to the pas- torate, and continued in charge until February 24, 1869. On August 17, 1869, the Rev. Daniel W. Poor took charge, and offi- ciated until January 1, 1873. The present Pastor entered upon the duties of his office, August 1, 1873. Number of communi- cants, August, 1873, one hundred and twenty.
The edifice now occupied by. the congregation was erected in 1853, at a cost of $15,000.
The Sunday School connected with the church was organized in 1853. It has an attendance of two hundred and twenty-five teachers and scholars, and a library of seven hundred and fifty volumes. Meets at half past nine o'clock A.M. Superintendent, C. P. Hoag.
PAGE & JORDAN, Houses rented, 462 Tenth Street near Broadway, Oakland.
Fire Insurance on Dwellings and Personal Property made a Specialty ; BABER & ROFF, Agents, Oakland.
E. W. WOODWARD, 952 Broadway; Houses to Rent.
72
OAKLAND DIRECTORY.
Church officers .- J. J. Gardiner, W. S. Bartlett, Elijah Bige- low, C. W. Armes, George W. Armes, and W. C. Dodge, Elders; W. H. Knight, Charles K. Clark, J. L. Barker, and C. P. Hoag, Deacons.
Presbyterian (East Oakland).
Location, northeast corner of East Fourteenth Street and Fif- teenth Avenue. Rev. T. M. Dawson, Pastor; residence, Tubbs' Hotel.
This church was organized February 17, 1861, with ten mem- bers. The Rev. George Pierson was the first Pastor, and offici- ated until 1870. From that time the Rev. Oliver Hemstreet, Rev. E. H. Camp, and others, acted as stated supplies until December, 1872, when the present Pastor, in response to a unan- imous call from the congregation, entered upon the discharge of his duties, and was installed Pastor February 13, 1873. Num- ber of communicants, August, 1873, fifty-one.
The church edifice was erected in the Summer of 1861, at a cost of $4,700. The lot on which it stands is seventy-five by one hundred and fifty feet, and was donated to the society by James B. Larue, Esq. In 1867, the building was improved at an additional expense of $1,800, and a bell for the edifice pur- chased for the sum of $1,000.
The Sunday School connected with the church was organized in the Spring of 1861, with eight teachers and forty scholars. At present, there are one hundred and fifty teachers and scholars, and a library of seven or eight hundred volumes. Meets at half past twelve o'clock P.M. Superintendent, Rev. T. M. Dawson; Assistant Superintendent, J. H. Sumner.
Church officers .- W. H. Hamilton and J. B. Ford, Elders; D. S. Carrick, W. H. Hamilton, Frank Hostetter, and J. B. Ford, Trustees.
Independent Presbyterian.
Location, southeast corner of Jefferson and Twelfth streets. Rev. L. Hamilton, Pastor; residence, west side of Jackson near Twelfth Street.
This church was organized February 28, 1869, and is the only one of a similar character in California. The Pastor of this con- gregation officiated for several years as Pastor of the First Pres- byterian Church in this city, but for opinions expressed by him he was tried before the Presbytery, and subsequently before the Synod, resulting in his being deposed by those bodies February 24, 1869. A large portion of Mr. Hamilton's congregation, who were opposed to this decision of the Presbytery and Synod, de- termined upon organizing another society, and secured Brayton Hall as a temporary place of worship, where services were held until the Spring of 1870, when the edifice now occupied by the congregation was erected at a cost, including lot, of about $22,500. Number of communicants, June, 1873, about eighty.
The Sunday School connected with the church was organized
Old Pianos taken in Exchange at GRAY'S, 625 Clay Street, S. F.
HOUSEWORTH'S PHOTOGRAPHIC PARLORS, 12 Montgomery Street, opposite Lick House, S. F.
Ætna Ins. Co. was established in 1819; R. C. GASKILL, Agent, Oakland.
CHURCHES.
73
March 6, 1869. It has an attendance of one hundred and thirty- seven teachers and scholars, and a library of five hundred vol- umes. Meets at half past twelve o'clock P.M. Superintendent, Rev. L. Walker.
Church officers .- Rev. Henry Durant and Rev. David McClure.
Trustees of Society .- N. W. Spaulding, Hiram Tubbs, J. Pres- ton Moore, Walter Blair, Prof. W. B. Rising, George D. Dor- nin, T. J. Arnold, G. F. Allardt, and John I. Spear, President of Board.
First German Presbyterian.
Rev. William Buehren, Pastor; residence, 171 Eighth Street.
This church was organized in 1873, with a membership of thirty-three, and received under the care of the Presbytery of San Francisco. It is in contemplation soon to commence the erection of a church edifice, upward of $1,400 having been al- ready subscribed for that purpose.
At present services are held every Sunday at eleven o'clock A.M., in Odd Fellows' Hall, corner of Franklin and Eleventh streets.
The Sunday School numbers fifty-two scholars. Meets at ten o'clock A.M.
Church officers .- Julius Heimbold and A. H. Buehren, Elders; H. Kirchheiner and John H. Dreyer, Deacons.
Church of the Immaculate Conception (Roman Catholic).
Location, west side of Jefferson Street, between Seventh and Eighth. Rev. Michael King, Pastor ; Rev. Michael Mulville, Assistant. Pastoral residence adjoining the church.
Twenty years ago a room in a private house served as a place of worship for the Catholics of Oakland and nearly the whole of the present County of Alameda. A priest from the Mission of San José occasionally made a visit to celebrate mass and admin- ister the sacraments, and even these occasional visits had to be omitted during the rainy season, owing to the bad roads. The first church, a building of the most modest description, was erected in 1853 through the exertions of a few of the congrega- tion, and for some time was the only Catholic place of worship in the whole of Alameda and Contra Costa counties, with the ex- ception of the old Mission. Subsequent additions, made by the Rev. Fathers Croke and King, increased the size of this edifice until it was capable of holding a congregation of several hun- dreds, but this, too, has become entirely inadequate to the needs of the population of Oakland although three new parishes have been formed in the county. In 1869, Father King determined to erect a church on a scale commensurate with the promised im- portance of this city. Plans accordingly were prepared for a building surpassing in dimensions anything in the State, though only with the intention of erecting a part of it at first, a design which has been carried out in the present structure. The foun- dations were laid in that year, but various causes retarded any
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.