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Etiwanda Congregational Church
1893 Diamond Anniversary 1968
The first religious services in Etiwanda were held
in the schoolhouse near the southwest corner of Base Line and East Avenue. This
was a Methodist organization, but no one remembers how long it continued to
function.
Some years later through the efforts of the Nortons, the Episcopalians
secured the services of an eminent Canadian Rector who had come to California
because of his wife's failing health and was living in Ontario. The meetings
were held in the new schoolhouse and were attended by the Episcopalian families
of the Nortons, Captain and Mrs. J. H. Scott, Mr. and Mrs. George Frost, Mrs.
Elizabeth Donnelly, the Gildersleeves and other members, as well as non members.
The Rev. Sweeny was a most eloquent speaker and conscientious pastor, driving
long distances to call on the sick. Upon the death of his wife he returned to
Canada and was later made Bishop of Toronto - Bishop Sweeny.
After two or three preliminary meetings the Etiwanda Congregational Church
was organized at a meeting held in the new schoolhouse on September 25, 1893,
seventy-five years ago.
The Council consisted of Rev. D. R. Brainerd, Pastor and W. D. Humphreys of
Rialto, Rev. E. M. Balsbrough of Bloomington, Rev. A. E. Tracy, Pastor and Mrs.
James Waddington, Delegate of Ontario, Rev. L. H. Tracy, and Mrs. Charles
a. Loud of Pomona, Rev. E. G. Baldwin of Claremont and Rev. J. T. Ford, and Rev.
H. P. Case of Los Angeles. Rev. Ford was made Moderator and made some statements
as to the history of a church organized here some 12 years, apparently the
Methodist Church.
Services were held in the schoolhouse until late in 1902 when the church was
built at 7126 Etiwanda Avenue during the pastorate of Rev. A. W. Thompson. The
parsonage was built next door to the church in1907. Rev. and Mrs. Lamb and Ruth
were the first to occupy the new building. A barn for the pastor's horse was
built about the same time.
Sara E. and C. O. Perrine transferred property to the church on April 19,
1894 before selling the surrounding acres of J. Johanning, who later sold the
property to George F. Johnston, near 1901.
In 1908 Jones and Johnston presented a bell from an old schoolhouse in
Grapeland which they had bought and dismantled.
The church was extended to the west 20 feet; a basement was built and the
steps were covered in 1912. Dedication services were held January 30, 1913 and
lasted all day. In 1928 the Friendly Class was responsible for enlarging the
platform.
Rev. Ruoff, Clark Hickcox and others spent many hours working on the
basement. They built a fireplace in what is now a primary room so that it could
be used for a Boy Scout clubhouse; and it was so used for a number of years.
John Frost was the first Scout Master.
Rev. Greenlee, Pastor 1915 to 1924, was the originator of one of the best
community affairs we have, "The Friendly Class Supper." For years it
met the first Monday evening of each month. It has not met with the same
regularity the past two years.
On Sunday, February 1, 1953, a special memorial service to honor the Founders
of the church and to dedicate 14 new stained
glass windows was held in the church. Dr L. L. Wirt, Pastor, gave the main
address and Mrs. John Scott related the church history from 1893 to 1953.
The memorial windows for J. C. Jones and for George Chaffey were installed
in 1955.
[Merton E. Hill gave an address at the dedication of
the two windows. It can be read here and the two windows are also pictured.]
The Etiwanda Justice Court, presided over by Judge Burt Shelby, used the
church basement for Jury trials (only) during 1958, 1959 and the first few
months of 1960 when they moved into the new Justice Court building at 7611
Etiwanda Avenue.
The annual Easter services held on the Etiwanda Mesa from 1953 to 1966 were
an inspiration. During the last few years members from neighboring churches also
participated in the program.
Th Church participated in Released Time for Religious Education from 1954
through 1957. The 4th to 8th grade students walked from
school to the church. Mrs. Campbell (Hoppe) helped Dr. Wirt and Rev. Kimball in
this work. Released Time was somewhat restricted by school law in 1958 so the
program was discontinued.
In November 1956 it was decided that the church would have a coffee hour the
first Sunday of each month after the morning worship services.
The Young People's group meets on Sunday evenings when they have a leader or
advisor.
On December 11, 1960 a standing vote of the church congregation was taken and
a unanimous YES vote was given to have the Etiwanda Congregational Church be a
member of the United Church of Christ. This is a merger of the Congregational
Churches with the Evangelical and Reformed Churches, which took place in January
1948.
The Church Council was formed in 1943 and later the Board of Trustees met at
a different time to conduct the financial business of the church.
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