USA > California > Los Angeles County > Ingersoll's century history, Santa Monica Bay cities prefaced with a brief history of the state of California, a condensed history of Los Angeles County, 1542-1908 > Part 31
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 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
In June, 1895, it was announced that Frederick H. Rindge proposed to build a new church building, free of all cost to the church, provided it would agree to meet the pastor's salary and all incidental expenses. In consequence on August 13th, 1895, ground was broken for this building and on the first Sabbath in 1896, the most beautiful Methodist church building in Southern California was dedicated.
In 1897-98 Rev. R. C. Wuestenberg was pastor and the membership was increased to 150, while the Sunday school numbered from 250-270. In July, 1898, it was voted to remove the old church to South Santa Monica, where a mission was holding service in the old Santa Fe depot. But after some agitation the action was not taken. In August, 1899, a church was organized, then known as South Santa Monica M. E. church, with Rev. F. G. H. Stevens as pastor, the mission having been served by Rev. Robert Fisher. In December, the old church was donated to the new organization and was moved to Ocean Park. A new parsonage was erected on the site of the old parsonage.
Rev. C. T. Wilson and Rev. T. H. Woodward served as pastors and Rev. J. C. Healy served during 1901 to 1903. During his term the parsonage was completed, a neat cottage which was a decided addition to the advantages of the church. In 1903 came Rev. F. G. H. Stevens, who still remains-one of the ablest and best beloved of the many good men who have served this church.
Now, in 1907, the church has a membership of 240, while the Sunday school reaches 350. So rapid has been the growth of the church and congre- gations that the church of ten years ago is inadequate and an addition which will more than double the seating capacity of the structure is in course of erection.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SANTA MONICA.
The history of the Presbyterian church of Santa Monica dates back to September 12th, 1875, when a Sunday school was organized at the house of W. D. Vawter, on Fourth street, the present home of the Misses Vawter. Later this school met in a hall on the corner of Fifth and Oregon, generously offered to them by Mr. J. O. Brady.
On September 24th, a petition signed by twelve persons, was sent to the
291
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
Rev. Dr. White, chairman of the committee of the Presbytery, asking him to come to Santa Monica and organize a Presbyterian church. On Tuesday, September 28th, Dr. White met with the petitioners and organized them in accordance with their request into the "First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica." The names of the petitioners were as follows: Mr. R. S. Bassett, Mrs. E. Bassett, Miss Rose Bassett, Mr. T. H. Clark, Mrs. E. Mountain, Misses Mattie A. Mountain, Mr. L. M. Perkins, Mrs. S. P. Perkins, Mrs. C. A. Vawter, Miss May Vawter, Miss Jennie Vawter, Miss Emma Vawter. The trustees of the new organization were: Y. S. Grinshaw, E. J. Vawter, G. W. Brady, W. S. Vawter.
The new society proceeded at once to provide themselves with a permanent place of worship. Messrs. Jones and Baker presented the church with two lots at the corner of Third and Arizona, and on these was erected the chapel which for eleven years was used, and was then moved to the rear of the lots. enlarged, and used for infant classes, mid-week meetings and socials. The Presbyterian Board of Church Erection assisted in building this first church, work on which was commenced January 17th, 1876, and which was dedicated March 12th.
On Sunday, July 10th, 1887, a move was made for building a more com- modious place of worship. On that day Col. Elliott F. Shepherd, proprietor of the New York Mail and Express, and an elder of the Fifth Avenue Presby- terian church of New York City, happened to be present and, hearing that the church intended to build, started the list with a subscription of $230. Encour- aged by this beginning, a committee consisting of Mrs. Mary E. Treadwell and Miss Jennie Vawter was appointed to canvas the congregation and community. By their energetic efforts sufficient funds were soon subscribed to erect and enclose the new church building. But before the completion of the work came the collapse of the boom and many of the subscriptions were not paid in. The ladies of the church met this condition and it is largely due to their efforts that the church was finally completed and dedicated, Sunday, September 4th, 1892. The ladies held a memorable series of entertainments during the four years of church building. The success of the Santa Monica ladies in taking the first prize at the Floral Festival in Los Angeles, suggested the idea of a Floral Festival at home. In 1889 a "Feast of Flowers" was held in the new church building, then unfinished, which was arranged by the ladies of the town under the auspices of the Presbyterian ladies and which was acknowledged as one of the most beautiful floral exhibits ever made in Southern California. The succeeding year a Kalendar Kirmess was given, lasting three days, the booths representing the months and the whole conception most artistically designed and carried out. In 1891 another " Spring Festival " was held which was an equally rich display of Santa Monica's floral wealth. These affairs were participated in by the
292
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
people of Santa Monica generally and attracted many visitors from Los Angeles and other places. Much of their success was due to the energy and executive ability of the committee of which Miss Jennie Vawter was chairman.
The new church is of the Queen Anne style, ceiled and wainscoted within with cedar, lighted with stained glass windows and electrical chandeliers, and with a seating capacity of 250. The total cost was about $7,000, of which over $1,000 was contributed by Mr. W. D. Vawter, to whose encouragement at the outset and liberal contributions, the success of the undertaking was largely due. It was built under the supervision of a committee consisting of Messrs. WV. S. Vawter, Patrick Robertson and E. H. Sweetser.
In the summer of 1907 a fine pipe organ was placed in the church as a memorial gift from Mr. Joseph H. Clark to the memory of his son, Edward HI. Clerk. It was built by the Estey Company and was installed at a cost of $2,600.
The following ministers have served the church since 1875 as pastors, or as stated supplies : I. M. Condit, H. V. Noyes, John W. Ellis, H. Mackay, Thos. F. Fotheringham, Williel O. Thompson, J. W. Healy, Richmond Logan, James White, Samuel H. Weller, Enos P. Baker, J. B. Stewart, William R. Henderson, O. F. Wisner, Amos A. Randall, Henry P. Wilber. The following have served as ruling elders: G. H. Clark, J. C. Olmstead, Geo. A. Armtsrong, William E. Case, H. H. Dow, George D. Rowan, Andrew J. Viele, John M. Coyner, James E. Ward, C. S. Dales, Clarkson N. Guyer, T. H. Wells, H. J. White, T. E. Cramer.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
July 28th, 1877, the Outlook states, saw the celebration of mass, for the first time in the new town of Santa Monica. The service was held in the house of Judge Morgan, Reverend Father Verdaguer, the beloved "Father Peter " of the Plaza church, Los Angeles, presiding. Services were probably held at irregular intervals thereafter until May 4th, 1884, when the Catholic church was opened for use, although it was not completed until the following year. On August 18th, 1885, the bell of the church was blessed and the church was dedicated.
In May, 1886, came Father Patrick Hawe as pastor of the church, and since that date Father Hawe has been the mainspring of the parish and the church work in this vicinity. Under his supervision was built the parochial house adjoining the church and the addition to the orginal church building which was dedicated August 19th, 1888, by Bishop Mora. In 1887 the statue of Saint Monica was presented to the church by Mrs. Victor Ponet, of Los Angeles. Also this year was built the Catholic church at Ballona, now Palms.
293
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
St. Augustine's-named for the son of Saint Monica very fittingly, since this mission was an offshoot of Saint Monica's church.
In 1899, July 16th, a small band of Sisters of the Holy Name, came to Santa Monica to establish an academy. They rented a private house on Fourth street, and September 4th, opened their school with nineteen pupils. The year closed with fifty-two childrn under the charge of the Sisters.
September 26th, 1890, the ground was broken for the building of the Academy of Holy Names on the corner of Third and Arizona streets. February 2211d, 1901, witnessed the dedication of the new building. This was an im- pressive ceremony and the occasion is one that will long live in the memory of the participants and witnesses. The civic services were the finest ever held in Santa Monica. Under the management of the grand marshal, J. J. Carrillo and his fifty aides, richly caprisoned as Spanish cabelleros, the parade was viewed in front of the academy. It consisted of a number of old soldiers from the Soldiers' Home; a float representing all the states and territories; two brass bands ; nine societies from Los Angeles; Santa Monica Board of Trustees and fire department, and the children from the academy, the Ballona, Santa Monica and Canyon Sunday schools. As General La Grange, and the city officials, escorting the clergy, left their carriages the home band played " patriotic songs and the cannon of the Soldiers' Home boomed, while the flag unfurled and spilled the fragrant roses hidden within its folds." The mayor of Los Angeles welcomed the guests ; Right Reverend Bishop Montgomery delivered the oration. Thus was the school inaugurated in its beautiful home.
On May 5th, 1903, the academy was honored by a visit from Rev. Arch- bishop Diomede Falconi, representative in this country of the Pope, Leo XIII. The occasion was made a festal day and the distinguished guest was paid every honor, not only by the clergy and laity of the Catholic church, but by the city officials and citizens generally. July 10th, 1903, was a day long remembered in the annals of Santa Monica. It was given up to the entertainment of the Knights of Columbia, who had that year held their annual session in Los Angeles. The streets and buildings were brilliantly decorated and the popula- tion turned out to welcome the guests who, in turn, gazed with admiration upon the charms of fair Santa Monica. The day was still further marked by the inauguration of a council of the Knights of Columbus in this city, a council which has flourished and is now a powerful ally of the church.
In 1904, under the auspices of Bishop Conaty, now head of this diocese, the Catholic Teachers' Institute was held in this city, and since that date these institutes have been an annual feature of the life of the Sisters who are engaged in teaching. As guests of the Academy of the Holy Name they spend two
REV. PATRICK HAWE.
295
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
weeks each summer in listening to the instructions and lectures of distinguished teachers.
But perhaps the most glorious of all gala days in the annals of Saint Monica's was the celebration of May 8th, 1904. This was a triple festival, for it marked the twentieth anniversary of the founding of the Church of Saint Monica's, the eighteenth year of Father Hawe's service to this parish and the dedication of the church of St. Clement, of Ocean Park. This church had been started by Father Hawe ten years before as a mission. The corner-stone for the handsome building was laid on August 24th, 1903, and the church was finally dedicated August 20th, 1905. The Reverend Michael Hennessy is the rector of this church.
The chapel at the Soldiers' Home is also included in Father Hawe's parish, he having held the first services on the grounds of the Home, soon after it was instituted in 1889. A beautiful building has been erected by the government, containing two chapels-one for the use of the Protestant churches and one for Catholic services. The churches now included in the parish of Saint Monica are four, beside the academy. The entire number of communicants is large.
January 15th, 1903, Reverend James A. O'Callaghan came to Santa Monica to relieve the head of the parish and assist him in his labors. Father O'Callag- han is a man of fine education and of superior qualities and has been of the greatest value to the parish. In 1906 Father Hawe visited the home of his birth and also visited the venerable Father Adam, of beloved memory through- out California. During his stay in Europe Father Hawe also visited Rome and received the blessing of the Pope. He is again welcomed to his own field where he guides the many affairs co-incident with so large and important a parish.
Plans are already made for greatly enlarging the work of the Catholic church in Santa Monica. It is hoped soon to begin work upon a cathedral which shall be a magnificent expression of worship, to be located on the corner of California avenue and Fourth street. The Christian Brothers, a Catholic organization, has recently secured a site of eleven acres between California and Nevada avenues, Ninth and Eleventh streets. Here a large college for boys will be established.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH-SAINT AUGUSTINE-BY-THE-SEA.
The first Episcopalian service held in this city was an Easter service in Roger's Hall, April 15th. 1876. The hall was suitably decorated for the occa- sion and the Rev. J. B. Gray officiated. After this there was talk of forming an Episcopal society here and a number expressed themselves willing to con- tribute to a building fund for such a church ; but it was not until about Novem- ber, 1885, that services were regularly held and a Sunday school organized. At
296
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
that time the Rev. Henry Scott Jefferys, of Los Angeles, was appointed by Bishop Kip as missionary in charge of the work and at once proceeded to secure land and money for the erection of an Episcopal church. Senator Jones and Mrs. Baker donated two lots on Fourth street and an active building committee. consisting of Rev. Jefferys, Messrs. Baxter and Tomkinson, set to work to get the needed subscriptions. At the end of the first year of Mr. Jeffery's labors, sixteen adults and twenty-two children were connected with the mission.
REV. J. D. H. BROWNE.
The corner-stone for a chapel to cost $3,000 was laid with much ceremony on June 10th, 1887. Bishop Wingfield acted for the Bishop of California and there were present beside the Bishop, the Rev. Elias Birdsell, rector of St. Paul's church, Los Angeles; the Rev. A. G. C. Trew, of San Gabriel; the Rev. J. D. H. Browne, rector of All Saints' church, Pasadena ; the Rev. J. B. Britton, a retired mission- ary and the missionary in charge. In 1888, through the successful labors of Mr. Jefferys and the people the new church was opened for divine worship and a large congregation assembled, the preacher being the rector of Pasadena.
Mr. Jefferys resigned in the carly part of 1889 and the Rev. Orrin Judd, of North Carolina, succeeded him. Mr. Judd had come to California broken down in health; but he was a most eloquent preacher, which gift led to his resignation of this charge a year later to accept the new church of St. John on West Adams street, Los Angeles, which had been built in order to find a place for him in the city. During Mr. Judd's incumbency the work prospered and considerable additions were made to the membership of the church.
The Rev. P. S. Ruth, of Pomona, officiated temporarily until September, 1891, when the Rev. I. M. M. Jones became rector. Mr. Jones remained in charge for nearly six years and during that period the Parish Hall was built and in many ways the church made progress. On the resignation of Mr. Jones,
297
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
the Rev. Edward Meany officiated temporarily and, at a critical time in the history of the congregation, maintained the regular services of the church and did much to arouse the people. When, in May, 1900, Mr. Meany's school duties in Los Angeles compelled him to resign, he was succeeded by the present rector, the Rev. John D. H. Browne, who had been for sixteen years in Southern Cali- fornia and who had just resigned St. John's church, San Bernardino.
During the nearly eight years that have intervened since Mr. Browne assumed the work, there has been steady growth. The church building has been enlarged at a cost of $3,000, and has also been beautified by many costly memorials. The parish hall has been enlarged and finished within, and a $600 piano provided, with many other improvements made. The roll of communi- cants has increased from 27 to 201. The contributions for the parish and for the missionary funds of the diocese and the foreign field have multiplied many- fold. The baptisms have been over 100 and the confirmations 75. The Sunday school has grown very much and under the care of Mr. Percy J. Dudley, as superintendent, is accomplishing a good work, especially among the boys. The Parish Guild, the Woman's Auxiliary, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, the Daughters of the King, the Junior Auxiliary are all in active life and meeting the needs of old and young.
The Parish of St. Augustine-by-the-Sea has come to occupy the seventh place among the parishes of the diocese and bids fair to continue to grow in importance and increase in influence for good in the life of the city. The present officers of the parish and members of the vestry are: Rev. John D. H. Browne, rector; Hon. T. H. Dudley, senior warden; Mr. C. S. Raynor, junior warden; Mr. J. B. Proctor, vestry clerk ; Mr. Percy J. Dudley, treasurer ; Mr. J. F. Ordway, Mr. E. L. Young, Mr. H. J. Blake and Mr. C. C. Melville.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
In April, 1889, Mrs. Drane living on South Third street, near Sand street, gathered together a number of the children in that neighborhood and started a union Sunday school in her home. Sunday, January 12th, 1890, a call having been made by G. B. Studd and J. O. Mathewson for a Sunday school in South Santa Monica, about forty-two persons gathered at the house of Mr. Mathewson, at the corner of Bay and South Sixth streets. A school was organized and Mr. Andrew Mills was chosen as superintendent, a position which he filled for six years. For a time the school was held in the old school house and then in the house of Captain Clark, Fourth and Strand. This rough cottage was adapted for Sunday services as far as possible and neighboring pastors were frequently invited to preach here.
From February Ist. 1890, until November 3rd. 1892, Rev. A. P. Brown.
298
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
pastor of the Baptist church at Palms, preached on alternate Sunday afternoons: at Ocean Park. Three pupils were baptized from the Ocean Park school into- the membership of the Palms church. In 1891, Rev. W. W. Tinker became. district secretary of the American Baptist Home Missionary society. He pro- posed to erect a chapel in commemoration of J. O. Mathewson, who had passed away the previous year. September 5th, 1892, this was dedicated as the " Baptist Mission," a branch of the Palms church. It cost $700, was furnished with 100 chairs, a pulpit and a baby organ. Dr. Daniel Read, of Los Angeles, preached the dedicatory sermon. During 1893-4 Rev. H. S. Baker, pastor of Palms church, preached regularly in the chapel, assisted by Mr. Charles Baird as singer.
In 1895, Rev. Mr. Thomason, pastor at Palms, preached regularly. In June the church was encouraged by a visit from Rev. E. G. Wheeler and the chapel car "Emanuel." The same month the annual convention of Southern California Baptists was held in the Y. M. C. A. Pavilion at Ocean Park. IIr 1896 the church at Palms ceased to exist and the interest fell off very materially at Ocean Park. July 26th, Rev. Mr. French, who had located in Ocean Park for his health, began to hold services in the chapel and organized a new Sunday school. He also organized a Baptist church of sixteen members. In Septem- ber, 1896, Rev. T. F. Tooker took charge of the little church and conducted the- services and Sunday school for some time. In 1898, Rev. Chas. Pedley, a graduate of Charles Spurgeon's college, in London, located in Santa Monica, and acted as pastor of the church until the spring of 1899. After his departure the work languished and the Sunday school died out. The Methodists were granted the use of the building for their services until 1900 when they secured their own church.
In January, 1902, Prof. C. S. Taylor, vice-principal of the Santa Monica High School, and Mr. F. C. Marvin came to Santa Monica to reside. They interested themselves in looking up the Baptists of the community and in December, 1902, Rev. George Taylor, of Sawtelle. preached in the Baptist chapel, and again organized a Santa Monica Baptist church, fourteen members. This church was brought into connection with the Southern California Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Home Mission society. It was served by various preachers until February 15th, 1903, when Rev. L. A. Gould was called as pastor and took up his residence here. September 7th, 1903, the church was admitted into full membership with the Baptist Convention and recognition services were held, many guests being present and the charge being delivered by Rev. Robert Burdette. Rev. Gould remained as pastor until' he was succeeded by Rev. M. M. Mason.
299
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE.
This church, whose articles of faith are identical with those of the Weselyan Methodist society, was organized in 1906 as a result of neighborhood meetings held in the home of J. E. Pearsall, corner of Michigan avenue and Twentieth street. The new church was incorporated the same year with Rev. Thos. Fisher, pastor of the church, Chas. Allsman and J. E. Pearsall, as trustees. Messrs. Towner and Irwin donated a lot on the corner of Michgan avenue and Nineteenth street and a neat building, costing about $2,000, was erected. The membership is now twenty-six and the Sunday school has sixty members.
WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.
In the summer of 1885 a few earnest women, among whom was Mrs. Jane Austin, Miss Niles, Miss E. A. Dow, Mrs. I. D. Richmond, and others, organized a W. C. T. U. in Santa Monica. These women felt that there was much need of their labors here as at that time there were a dozen saloons in the place. They took over the reading room which had been previously started in the hope of interesting the boys and the young people, and at once set about an earnest effort to support the reading room and library and to improve the moral tone of their beautiful town. They rented the lower room in the two-story frame building now owned by them on Third street. By means of soliciting subscrip- tions, giving suppers and dinners, socials and teas, and in many other ways which demanded the strength and time of the faithful workers, they managed to keep the reading room open and to add many books to those already collected. The early efforts that were made to keep the library and reading room up have been told in the history of the Santa Monica Public Library, of which this library was the foundation.
In 1887 the ladies determined to purchase the building which they were occupying and the owner, Mr. John Steere, made them a very reasonable rate, for boom times, putting the price at $2,500 and giving them their own time to pay in, provided the interest was kept up. The women, Mrs. Austin, then president, Mrs. D. B. Hubbell, vice-president and in charge of the library, and Mrs. Richmond, secretary, worked very hard to maintain the undertaking; but when dull times came in 1889, they found the burden too much and Mr. Steere took back the building and returned the money, $350, which they had paid on it. They continued to occupy the same room as their reading room, however, and on Mr. Steere's death, in 1892, he willed this building to the W. C. T. U. of Santa Monica, on condition that they maintain a perpetual free reading room.
This the organization has done. The large upper room is pleasantly fitted up and a supply of reading matter and books are kept on hand for circulation and for use in the room. A large amount of literature has been distributed by this society, also, to ships, camps of laboring men, canyons and school districts.
300
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
For eight years Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes, of Sawtelle, was president of the organization and much efficient work was done under her direction. Mrs. T. Hughes Lodge has acted as president or vice-president of the union and has the supervision of the reading room. The present officers are Mrs. Mattie Barrett, president ; Mrs. T. Hughes Lodge, vice-president ; Mrs. Ada Schutte, secretary; Mrs. Clara Odell, corresponding secretary; Miss Sarah Much, treasurer.
WOMAN'S CLUB OF SANTA MONICA.
In September, 1904, a lecture class in history was organized by Miss Elizabeth Mclaughlin, with Miss M. E. Abbott as lecturer. The first class was held at the home of Miss Mclaughlin, after which the sessions were held in a cottage, on Nevada avenue until the class outgrew this and was removed to Columbia Hall. On December 8th, 1904, the members of this class formed an organization, with Mrs. D. G. Stephens as president and Miss Mclaughlin as secretary and treasurer. This was in reality the organization of the Woman's Club, although the name" club " was not taken at this time. During the spring Miss Abbott resigned her place as lecturer and other ladies were secured, the subjects not being confined to history.
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.