The following is a detailed history of our first 100 years, compiled by Jeanne Mella for our Centennial Celebration. To download a copy of a similar history, written in 1953 by Mrs. O.R. Meacham, our Church Historian, click here. A new window will open; PDF reader is required. Go to the Adobe website to download a free copy of Adobe Reader.
THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S CHURCH: 1896-1901
When Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Mills moved from Boulder Creek to Palo Alto in 1896, they were greeted by only a promise of a town. There was a single church building, a few residences with no modern conveniences, unpaved streets and one great wheat field!
Feeling the loss of the Disciples congregation they had left behind, the Mills family began work to establish a Christian Church. They contacted Robert L. McHatton, the Disciples State Evangelist at the time. Together, Reverend McHatton and the Mills family visited the widely scattered residents of what is now Palo Alto, inviting them to services.
On November 15, 1896, Reverend McHatton preached to 46 persons in the morning and the same number in the evening. That Sunday morning service was the first Disciples sermon delivered in the area between San Francisco and Santa Clara. Reverend McHatton preached almost every night of the continuing week and on Sunday to gatherings numbering from 17 to 46. During the next week, visiting preachers and Reverend McHatton delivered sermons each night. On Sunday, November 29, twenty two charter members plus three new faith confessors enrolled in the new church.
The first baptisms of the new church were on Friday, December 4, when four ladies were immersed in San Francisquito Creek, under the Palo Alto Tree near the railroad bridge. These were the first baptisms by Disciples between San Francisco and Santa Clara, and apparently the first immersions by any church in the same area. On that day, the membership grew to twenty six – the final number of charter members of the new church.
Later that December, the very active Young Peoples Society of Christian Endeavor was formed.
The new little church flourished in those first months. It was called “The Young People’s Church” by the local citizenry. At its very heart then, and for years to follow, were Martha and A.W. Mills – affectionately viewed as its founders.
Unable to support a pastor at the time, the members decided to invite the pastors of nearby churches to preach half of the time. Reverend J.P. McCallough came from Irvingston to preach every other Sunday from late 1896 well into 1897. In August of 1897, the first Sunday School classes were organized and offered.
Finally, in September 1897, the first pastor of the new church was elected. Reverend Henry Shadle moved to Palo Alto with his wife and son. He was just getting established when dire conditions in the Sacramento church forced him to take a call from that congregation. After his departure in February 1898, the pulpit was unoccupied for about six months.
The first church meetings were held in Nortree Hall, and the congregation continued to use it as their regular gathering place for some time. Occasionally when Nortree was unavailable, they used Pillsbury Hall, the Presbyterian Church, or met in individual homes. For their revival meetings, they erected and met under large tents. During a particularly dramatic six week program of revival meetings in February and March of 1898, a windstorm compelled folks to hastily flatten the big top pitched in a vacant lot beside the Ruckert building.
Anxious to have their own house of worship, all money above expenses was saved to buy a lot and build. In August 1898, the church appointed a committee to consider the purchase of a lot.
D.A. Russell accepted the position of pastor in September 1898. He was a student of the University of California at Berkeley. By September 1899, the little church had grown to 56 members.
Reverend Russell served as pastor for three years, until August 1901, when he graduated from the Berkeley Bible Seminary. For four months during this time (February to June 1900), Reverend Russell filled the pulpit of the First Christian Church of San Jose, and R.N. Davis served the Palo Alto church.
In the spring of 1900, the church acquired the lot at the corner of Bryant and Hamilton Streets for approximately $500. Difficult months followed for the young church due to controversy over a building offer. Mrs. Leland Stanford, a member of the Disciples elsewhere, offered to build the church completely if she could choose the minister to serve the congregation. Mrs. Stanford’s offer was rejected because of this stipulation. The Young People’s Church stood firm that it would erect its own sanctuary and select its own minister.
One of the pleasant memories of the time was the ladies’ May Rose Festival. This annual event was a program of flowers, music and song.
The young church was a mission church and continued in that status for many years. It received monthly financial aid from the Christian State Board of Northern California and the National Board of the Christian Women’s Board of Missions.
It was the only Disciples church between San Francisco and Santa Clara, a distance of 48 miles through what was fast becoming a densely populated valley.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH: 1901-1945
On February 2, 1901, the Christian Church was incorporated under and to meet the laws of California for a term of 50 years. By now the membership had grown to just over 70 members.
It was determined that the previously purchased lot at Bryant and Hamilton was not suitable for the church home. The Board sold it and purchased another lot on the corner of Lytton Avenue and Florence Street. It was on this lot that the First Christian Church was erected in Palo Alto.
Contracts for construction were awarded in March 1903. The brick work would cost $1,200 and the wood work was estimated at $1,950. By June 30, the stained glass windows were installed, and pews were delivered on July 26. The small brick building of artistic design was occupied in July 1903.
Dedication services were held on August 30. Reverend W.W. White, pastor of the West Side Church in San Francisco, conducted the dedication services.
In the fall of 1901, Reverend David M. Crabtree had begun his work as pastor and served the congregation during the construction of its first home. He worked hard to raise the money to build the church for this growing congregation. Reverend Crabtree completed his pastorate in the Summer of 1903.
John J. Evans followed Reverend Crabtree as pastor for 10 months from August 1903 to July 1904. Under his pastorate, the church prospered. He resigned to accept a position as Secretary of the Christian Churches of Oregon.
In late 1904, Charles L. Beal accepted a call from the Christian Church of Palo Alto. There is conflicting information about the length of Reverend Beal’s pastorate with this congregation. He wrote of his own time in Palo Alto, “…locating in Palo Alto where I entered Leland Stanford Jr. University and spent four years in that institution. I became pastor of the Palo Alto Church during the first year I was in the town and held that position for five years.” Other reports are that Reverend Beal resigned as pastor in 1908, and Bryant C. Pere served as pastor from 1908-1910. This account will presume that Reverend Beal served the congregation from 1904-1910.
Reverend Beal saw the congregation through the great earthquake in April 1906. The congregation had just paid the last of the church debt a few weeks before. The earthquake destroyed the entire north wall of the building. The work of restoring the walls and refinishing the interior would cost approximately $800. An appeal resulted in financial assistance to restore the church from the committee of evangelism in San Francisco. The money was part of the funds provided by the American Missionary Society for rebuilding the churches on the coast.
Although the earthquake materially damaged the building on the corner of Lytton and Florence, the prized piano, a gift from A.W. Mills, was uninjured. The $350 Cote piano was offered by Mendenhall & Woods dry goods store to the holder of the largest number of tickets secured for trading done at their establishment. Mr. Mills won, and the piano was immediately presented to the church.
In April 1907, the mortgage note was burned in a celebration of payment of the debt. The year ended with all departments in good financial condition and membership up to 138. It was during this same year that the congregation ceased to receive aid from the Christian Women’s Board of Missions and became self-supporting.
For the next couple of years, the church experienced a low period. The membership labored faithfully to increase its strength and community influence and to meet its financial needs.
In September 1909, a Christian Women’s Board of Missions auxiliary was organized. Martha Mills was chosen as the first President, and there were fifteen members.
Lewis A. Pier began his work as pastor of the church in July 1911. In an effort to help with the financial situation, Reverend Pier suggested that his salary be paid on a voluntary offering basis instead of as a regular stated sum.
In 1912, envelopes were first used in the Church for offerings. Finally, in 1913, the congregation launched a campaign to pay off its lingering indebtedness. The year closed with a clean slate and ten cents in the treasury.
Reverend Pier ended his pastorate in 1915. From 1915 to 1918, there was no regular pastor. Nearby clergy and seminarians assisted the services and met the needs of the congregation. One of these was Dr. Harvey H. Guy. He and Mrs. Guy had gone forth as missionaries to the Orient during the summer of 1907. They returned from the Orient to Berkeley, and Dr. Guy assisted frequently with the worship services of the Christian Church. Others supporting the Church during this time were Mr. Floyd Mercer, Mr. Shelton and Mr. W.A. Gardner.
In 1918, Charles F. Hutslar accepted the call of the Christian Church in Palo Alto at the urging of Mr. George W. Brewster, then State Secretary of the Christian Church. Reverend and Mrs. Hutslar came to Palo Alto from Los Angeles with two major objectives: to reach the young men at the nearby university and Camp Fremont; and to seek a new location for the church.
In early 1919, the church on the corner of Lytton and Florence was sold. The playhouse on the corner of Channing Avenue and Bryant Street was purchased to serve as the new church.
Numerous alterations and improvements began immediately. An entrance hall was built across the front of the huge single room playhouse building, including a stairway to a balcony over the hall and a tower over the front entrance. A cottage about 20 feet from the playhouse building was converted to provide kitchen, dining room and restroom facilities. The cottage was connected to the main building providing Sunday School rooms.
On June 1, 1919, the remodeled hall was dedicated as a new $12,500 memorial Christian Church in honor of the Christian Endeavor men who served in World War I. Memorial windows were dedicated in honor of Rex Isch, Ward Howard, Bryce Aten and Harvey C. Cox. A plaque was placed on the door post of the church as a testimony to the three of these young men who gave their lives in the service of their Country – Rex Isch, Ward Howard and Bryce Aten. There were five services that day. An unbelievable voluntary and unsolicited offering for the day amounted to $3,000.
A boy’s club and youth programs were strongly featured at this time. During Reverend Hutslar’s ministry, the boy’s class taught by Stanley Dougan became an outstanding youth group of the community.
In May 1920, the song book “Gloria en Excelsior” was selected and purchased for use in the regular worship services.
Reverend Hutslar resigned as pastor in 1922. Guy G. Emery from San Jose followed him and served as pastor for a year. He left the ministry for a business career in 1924.
Morton L. Rose, with his wife and daughter, Ruth, came from San Bernardino in February 1924 in answer to the call of the Christian Church of Palo Alto.
It was during Reverend Rose’s pastorate in 1926 that the mortgage on the memorial Christian Church was paid in full, and the church was again debt-free.
In 1928, E. Wellington McCash started his seven year ministry with the Palo Alto Church. Reverend and Mrs. McCash came with their two sons, Donald and David, from the West Side Christian Church in San Francisco.
There was revitalized interest and spirit in the congregation during Reverend McCash’s pastorate. The Christian Endeavor work was revived, a bulletin board was erected at the front entrance, church stationery was printed for the first time, participation in Vacation Bible School was first recorded, and every department was strengthened. Reverend McCash was a splendid speaker and an outstandingly active pastor. It was during and following his work here that he contributed regularly to the “Front Ranks,” a youth magazine.
In 1929, a pipe organ was purchased and installed – a testament to the importance of music in the worship of this congregation. This organ was used throughout the period the church met at this location. It was completely overhauled and refitted in 1944.
In early 1935, the pastors of the Palo Alto and Red Bluff churches traded positions. Reverend and Mrs. George W. Morris and their two little daughters came to Palo Alto.
There was an influx of new and associate members, especially young married couples, following the arrival of the Morris family. A Young Married Class was added to the church school under the influence of the Stanford lawyer William Lockhart.
Reverend Morris resigned his pastorate in 1935. During the following months, the congregation reduced in size and finances were very low. The pulpit was filled by lay leaders, speakers from Stanford, representatives of church organizations, and an occasional visiting pastor. The church asked Reverend Morris to return and continue as pastor indefinitely. He did return, and finally left the service of the church in January 1938.
Charles B. Mobley, a member of the Board of California Christian Churches, answered the call to Palo Alto some months later in 1938. He left his free will pastorate at the Porterville Church to take up the same arrangement in Palo Alto. Upon arrival, Reverend Mobley stayed in an upstairs room of the church for several months until housing could be found. Then he was joined by his wife and son, Paul.
With the coming of Reverend Mobley, notable signs of stability were seen. The membership showed a slow, steady increase. Nursery service was organized and provided during the morning worship hour. The congregation again started looking for a new location for their church home. The year 1941 closed with all debts paid, and Reverend Mobley began receiving a salary for his ministry.
In January 1942, evening worship services stopped. Later in the spring, “sing-spiritual” meetings were held on Sunday evenings, not only for the congregation but also to attract the young men in the Army and Navy station located close to Palo Alto. The church building was designated as an emergency first aid station, and first aid classes were taught there.
In addition to his services as pastor, Reverend Mobley took over as Chaplain of the Page Mill Army Camp in December 1941, during the absence of the regular Chaplain. He participated actively in the larger Disciples of Christ organization; he was Vice President of the State Convention in 1943 and attended all sessions of the State Board. He served as President of the local Ministerial Association.
In 1944, a Communion Table and two chairs were presented to the church as a gift by Mrs. Grace Oberg in memory of her late husband, Henry L. Oberg. This same set was refurbished to grace the sanctuary during the Church’s Centennial Celebration.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST): 1945-1948
In August 1945, just prior to terminating his pastorate, Reverend Mobley submitted the Articles of Incorporation for the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
By September, the church located and called Denzil L. Carlisle from Pacific Grove.
The housing situation was so severe that the Carlisle family had to live in the church annex for months after they arrived. Attention was focused on securing a much needed parsonage.
In March 1946, the church board estimated parsonage costs at $1,500 for a lot, $8,000 for a house, and $800 for a down payment. The Parsonage Fund had $1,244, and fund raising activities were at a peak.
A lot at the corner of Kipling and Colorado Avenues was purchased. Then this lot was sold to help purchase a home on Guinda Street. Some records show the parsonage address as 1111 Guinda Street, others as 1212 Guinda Street. This purchase was made possible by a generous gift from the Cummins family for the balance due on the transaction beyond raised funds. This gift made the parsonage debt-free. It was finally ready for the Carlisles upon their return from vacation in July 1946.
Reverend Carlisle’s influence drew many young couples into the church and attendance at services was high. He instituted an extensive calling campaign in which twelve two-person teams received instructions on Sunday morning and spent the afternoon calling on members and prospective members, returning to the church for dinner in the evening.
Mr. Carlisle resigned as pastor in 1947, accepting a call to a small church in San Francisco.
Dr. Paul Reagor of Oakland served the church for approximately a year as a part-time pastor. He spent Saturdays and Sundays in Palo Alto. He instituted the practice of consecration of infants in the church.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF PALO ALTO: 1948-…
In 1948, the church filed an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation. The church was re-incorporated as First Christian Church of Palo Alto, with an unlimited term and perpetual existence. Church membership was 250 at the time of this amendment.
In 1948, Roy O’Brien was called to Palo Alto from Berkeley with his wife Muriel and their daughter. They resided in the parsonage on Guinda Street.
Reverend O’Brien saw the church through one of its most creative periods, preparing the church to meet the challenge of the modern age. A new constitution and by-laws were adopted. He helped the newly formed departments, provided guidance for the church leaders, and aided the youth in understanding the meaning of church membership. A church remodeling program was started and completed in early 1951.
It was during Reverend O’Brien’s ministry that the church celebrated its 50th anniversary with a banquet held at the Women’s Club building. He left in 1951 to become the chaplain of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Palo Alto.
Donald E. Poston, with his wife Hazel, moved to Palo Alto in the spring of 1951. He was serving as the director of the seven-state western division of the Disciples brotherhood, “Crusade for a Christian World.” In June, he accepted a call from the First Christian Church of Palo Alto and began a 24-year pastorate. Reverend Poston is the longest serving pastor in the first 100 years of this congregation.
The growing church needed new facilities. Rebuilding at the Channing and Bryant location was considered, but city zoning requirements made that alternative inadvisable. In 1952, the congregation purchased approximately five acres fronting Middlefield Road next to the Herbert Hoover Elementary School for the price of $30,000.
Initial plans were to rent the house located on the property. Repair work was done in preparation – the floors in the hall and four bedrooms were sanded, tile was laid, a duplex floor furnace was installed. A year-long lease was executed with good renters.
The congregation began clean-up of the rest of the property. Grass and weeds were burned and the old barn was torn down. Architectural plans were developed for the new facilities on Middlefield Road, providing for construction in stages as the congregation grew.
Almost a year later, the church accepted an offer of $40,000 for the Channing and Bryant property from the developers of the Palo Alto Medical Center. The offer permitted the congregation to continue to use the sanctuary there for up to one year. The congregation met at the Channing and Bryant location until the chapel was completed in December 1954.
Ground breaking ceremonies were held on April 25, 1954. The new chapel on Middlefield Road was dedicated at a special service on December 12, 1954.
The new chapel received wide attention and praise. It was featured in local newspapers and it was the setting for a portion of the nationally televised “Home” show over the NBC network in January 1955. It was chosen because of its unusual modern interior and exterior features as the best example of western architecture in churches. The morning worship service on December 26 was shown in the filmed presentation.
A plan to obtain a safe for the church was accepted by the Board in 1957. This safe is still used today for important records and Sunday offerings.
In 1958, the church committed to a “living link” relationship with Dr. Paul Detweiler. A physician and surgeon, Dr. Detweiler took up missionary work with his wife, a teacher, in East Orissa, India. The church personally supported their medical, educational, and evangelical mission.
Church school attendance grew in the mid-fifties, including many young families, increasing the demand for church school classrooms. Architectural plans for an L-shaped church school wing were drawn, and construction of the nursery, beginner and kindergarten facilities began in 1956.
The City of Palo Alto purchased just over an acre of the church property for $9,800 to build Hoover Park to the rear of the church. This money helped fund the additional construction needs.
In 1960, the first and second grade classrooms and the storage room were completed. In 1961, a lighted church sign was installed in the parking lot. In 1962, classrooms for the third and fourth grades were constructed, and the parking lot and driveways were paved. In 1964, the fifth and sixth grade rooms were in operation.
In September 1965, the Church sponsored the operation of the “Cooperative Nursery School” concurrent with the normal school year. This made use of the Church facilities at otherwise vacant times, while also meeting the needs of the community.
The congregational growth which began in the mid-fifties created other demands in addition to the need for larger facilities. More help was needed in directing the large and growing educational program. A series of assistants were called to service at First Christian Church to help with the direction of the educational programs – Art Morgan, Leon Riley, Jackson Fortman, and George Brown.
In 1964, concern over social injustice and human rights grew among the congregation. Reverend Poston was a strong influence in this concern. Through the National Council of Churches Commission – Civil and Human Rights, he was an active participant in the civil rights actions taking place in the Deep South in 1964 and 1965. In 1965, a “Social Action” department was established as part of the church organization.
The succeeding years brought many changes. A long decline in membership began in the mid-sixties in mainline churches throughout the country. This decline is attributed to the social unrest, political turmoil and reduced family growth of the ‘60s and ‘70s. These factors challenged long-established congregations like that of First Christian Church of Palo Alto.
The decline in church school membership led to consideration of alternative uses of the classroom facilities – uses which would cultivate relationships with young families, which would provide community service and which would generate money to further the work of the church. A use agreement was reached with the young parochial Keys School, and the school located on the grounds in September 1973. This agreement continues to the present day, and the school has expanded over the years, adding Redwood Hall and modular buildings to the rear of the church facilities.
In 1975, Reverend Poston resigned his long pastorate at First Christian Church of Palo Alto. David Reese, joined by his wife, Joyce, and his daughter, Liz, accepted the call to serve as interim minister. Reverend Reese was an ordained Disciples pastor with over 22 years of experience. He and his wife served on the staff of the Ecumenical Institute of San Jose at the time.
The search for a permanent pastor resulted in a call to Darwin A. Mann later in 1975. He came with his wife, Mary Jane, from a seven year pastorate in Medford, Oregon. In September, he was installed by Dr. Karl Irvin, then Regional Minister.
In 1976, the church discontinued use of P.O. Box 961; mail was delivered directly to the church office. The Prayer Chain was established in 1977; a total of seventeen persons constituted the first prayer chain.
In October 1979, the church sponsored a Vietnamese refugee couple, Xuan Minh Hong and Mi Lang Nguy. The couple was united with other family members being sponsored by St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. They were helped to find jobs and enrolled in English as a Second Language classes. The couple was welcomed into the Hornbeck home until an apartment could be found.
During the ten years that Reverend Mann served as pastor of First Christian Church, there was an active youth group. They received special attention from seminary interns and assistants especially sought to focus on working with the youth. These young leaders brought special talents and encouraged the youth to share and participate in worship.
Bill Jacobs was the first of these, coming in 1976. During his stay, the youth of the First Christian Church of Palo Alto joined with the youth of the First Presbyterian Church in Mountain View to present the musical drama “Reconciliation.” The event brought the cheering audience of 300 to their feet in appreciation of the Sunday evening performance.
Later that year, Bruce Heydon accepted a position as pastoral assistant. In August 1977, he and his wife led the youth in a production of “Godspell!” A year later, in August 1978, the youth presented “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
Steven Lacey accepted the position of Seminary Assistant in 1978. He was a second year student at San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo.
Mr. Lacey completed his study in 1980 and chose First Christian Church to host his ordination to the Disciples ministry. The sanctuary was filled, and the congregation was honored to be selected for this event.
In October 1980, Joe Lutz began his work as a seminary intern. He was a third year student at American Baptist Seminary of the West. He also had previous experience working with youth and as a pastor.
Loyed Arnold assumed the duties of Associate Pastor in June 1981. He was a graduate of San Jose State University and had completed two years of study at the American Baptist Seminary of the West.
Then Doug Wirt served as the Youth Ministry Assistant for one year. He was the last one to hold such a position for several years.
As the years had passed, building changes and additions also continued.
In 1976, a new church sign was dedicated in memory of David Irvine. Twenty years later, this sign still stands as a memorial. (Ed. Note: This sign was replaced in 2009.)
In late 1979, a building fund was started to extend the chapel, add more office space, and add the Fireside Room. The construction began in 1980. By February 1981, the work was completed and the new facilities were dedicated at a special service.
The century plant at the base of the cross on the front of the chapel sent up a stalk almost 30 feet high and bloomed in June 1981. The festoon of yellow flowers only occurs once in 10-70 years, after which the plant withers and dies.
The etching of the glass doors in the narthex was dedicated in July 1981 in memory of Ray and Vera Krone, two devoted congregation members.
In May 1990, the memorial court deck addition to the Fireside Room and pastor’s office was completed and dedicated. This final addition completes the First Christian Church facility as it appears today.
In September 1990, all remaining debt was paid, and the mortgage was burned.
After ten years as pastor, Reverend Mann resigned in 1985 to take a new ministry calling. Robert Lemon served as the interim minister while the congregation searched for a new permanent pastor.
In 1986, Dr. Steven D. Shepard, with his wife, Cindy, and son, Nathan, came to Palo Alto to answer the call of the First Christian Church. Reverend Shepard served the congregation for almost ten years, leaving his pastorate in December 1995.
During Reverend Shepard’s pastorate, three assistants served the congregation. Shaunie Eminger-Long was a student at the Pacific School of Religion doing post-graduate work in religious studies. She served as Youth Minister from 1986-1988.
In 1991, Yolanda Moreno-King was selected a Seminary Intern. She is remembered most for her musical gifts to the congregation.
Michael Bracamonte was a seminary student at the Pacific School of Religion. His particular interest was in Street Ministry to the homeless. He worked with the Urban Ministry of Palo Alto and the congregation of First Christian Church in outreach to the homeless during the period of 1994-1995.
The second oldest congregation in Palo Alto, First Christian Church celebrated its centennial year in 1996. Without a permanent pastor, the congregation called Dr. John E. Piper to serve as interim minister. Retired after a career of installed ministry, Dr. Piper accepted the call to First Christian Church. With his wife, Janet, Reverend Piper moved to Palo Alto in January 1996. He served as interim until the congregation called a new permanent pastor.
The centennial year closed with the Pastoral Selection Committee deciding on a pastoral candidate to present to the congregation. First Christian Church of Palo Alto called Reverend Charles Mackey as the new permanent pastor in January 1997.