Early Churches of Martinez
The good people of early Martinez took thought
as to their churches without delay. The Roman Catholics were the first to
hold services. Father Schimel was the first priest to officiate and the
services were held in the old building which stood on Smith Street, and was
afterward used as a barn. This building was erected in 1849 by Judge Brown,
Warren Brown, and N. B. Smith as a store, and in it the mercantile
establishment of Martinez was opened. After its sale to the Catholics, from
far and near the Spanish rancheros on Sunday gathered with their wives and
children to attend mass and afterward hold a merry reunion. From 1850 to
1851 the Catholics used this structure as a place of worship; then they
began the construction of an adobe building, which was not completed. In
1855 a church was built on Estudillo Street, which was blown down by a gale
in 1866.
Among the early priests were Fathers Vincent,
Vallarassa, and Dominick.
The New England pioneers of Martinez were
largely members of the Protestant Episcopal church, which seems somewhat
strange, when we remember that the Congregational is the leading church of
New England. For some years these pioneer Episcopalians were obliged to
attend church in Benicia, where services of the Church of England had been
held since 1854. In 1855 the Rev. Orange Clarke held services in Martinez,
and in 1858 the Rev. Elijah Hager, chaplain U. S. N., at that date rector of
St. Paul's Church, Benicia, officiated in Martinez from time to time. From
1860 to 1866 the Rev. James Cameron, of Benicia, held Episcopal services in
the Methodist church. The Rev. Henry G. Perry followed in 1866, and
established a Sunday-school and library. Plans and specifications for a
church building were prepared, but the Martinez Episcopalians still remained
members of the Benicia church, and it was not until 1869 that, through the
exertions of certain ladies of the church, money was raised and the present
building was begun and completed. Grace Church was consecrated by the Rt.
Rev. William Ingraham Kip, D. D., on Sunday, July 10, 1870. He was assisted
by the Revs. Doctor Breck and E. C. Cowan. Previous to this date the
Missionary College of St. Augustine, at Benicia, had had the charge came to
an end. Doctor J. A. Merrick, formerly connected with the mission, became
pastor of the Martinez church. Other early pastors of Grace Church were the
Rev. William Benet, the Rev. William Tucker, the Rev. Henry Monges, and the
Rev. James Ambercrombie, D. D. The beautiful memorial chancel window which
ornaments Grace Church was made by Edward Colgate, of New York, and was
placed New Year's day, 1882, in memory of the founder of the church, the
Rev. James Breck, D. D. The stone font was a gift by the youth of the parish
on Easter Sunday of the same year. The altar, prayer-desk, and seat were
given to the church on Thanksgiving and Christmas days, 1881, by the Rev.
Mr. Abercrombie and Elam Brown.
The Congregational church of Martinez was
organized June 18, 1874. It is a much younger church society, therefore,
than its sisters of the Catholic and Episcopal faith. The first pastor was
the Rev. W. S. Clark, who was succeeded in 1875 by the Rev. E. B. Tuttle.
During the four years of Tuttle's ministry the membership increased. The
Methodist church, for years the only Protestant church structure in the
town, was purchased and services were held in it until 1886, when, under the
pastorate of Rev. Mr. Baille, a new edifice was built. One of the pastors,
Rev. A. Drachms, has served as chaplain in San Quentin prison for a number
of years.
About 1854 S. Swain gave lots on which to
build a church. The property was deeded to the Methodist Society, with the
understanding that, when not occupied by them, other denominations from the
residents of the town. The women agreed to finish the interior of the
church. They gave a supper in the building. The price of the tickets for
supper, admitting two persons, was five dollars. A party was given the same
evening in Union Hall. Holders of tickets for supper were admitted to the
dance free. Those pioneer women had an eye to business, and they raised a
round sum of money.
The following are names of the clergymen who
officiated until the property was sold to the Congregational society, about
the year 1873: Wilmot, Methodist; Yager, Presbyterian; May, Methodist;
McClure, Congregational; Urmy, Methodist; McDonald, Episcopalian; Cameron,
Episcopalian; Breck, Episcopalian; Woodbridge, Presbyterian; Woodbridge,
Presbyterian; Warren, Congregational.
Back in 1879, on the 27th and 28th of March,
for the benefit of the Congregational church fund, one of the most elaborate
and successful entertainments ever given in Martinez took place. It was in
charge of Mrs. James Weeks, who, as Miss Jane Lyons, one of the early
Martinez teachers, arranged the first school exhibition ever presented in
this town. She gave much time and thought to the production of the program,
and made many of the costumes herself.
In a reminiscence of this entertainment, Mrs.
Weeks says that the large rude building in which it was given was admirably
fitted to her requirements. The mechanism of the stage was arranged by a
young man then connected with the church, and it worked perfectly. The
peacocks which drew Juno's chariot were made of pasteboard and paper,
painted to imitate the plumage of the real birds. They were drawn by
invisible wires across the stage. Iris flew through the air in advance of
the chariot, and so perfectly did the sliding apparatus work that the
delusion of flight was excellent. The first scene was the fairy scene, which
showed a forest with two fountains playing. The edge of the stage was turfed
and dotted over with pansies. The rocks were made of fruit boxes, painted to
simulate stones. Fairies were perched everywhere. During the scene the music
of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was played on the piano in the gallery. The
playing was fine, but the spectators did not listen to it, for they became
so excited at the beauty of the tableaus that they rose to their feet and
shouted with pleasure, drowning the sweet strains. A beautiful rainbow, made
of wire and tarleton, was exhibited during the Norse scenes, and was an
excellent imitation of the heavenly arch.
Several prominent Martinez people took
characters in the different scenes, among them being George Sherman, who
represented Jupiter; Mrs. Sherman, Juno; Mr. Wittenmyer, Mars; Mr. Bailhache,
Pluto; Mrs. Davenport, Persephone; Mrs. Mathews, Roman Liberty.
These two entertainments netted two hundred
dollars for the church fund.
The Congregationalists instituted their first
societies in this county in 1863, in which year they organized two churches,
one at Crockett and the other at Clayton. These churches have continued
their existence all these years, and have served the communities in which
they exist with faithfulness. The oldest Congregational church building in
the county is that at Clayton, erected in 1868. Crockett has had two church
buildings, the first being built in 1883. In 1913 it was so completely
remodeled and enlarged as to become practically a new building. The present
pastor of this church, the Rev. E. O. Chapel, was the pastor at that time.
In 1865 the society at Antioch was organized
and soon thereafter erected a building, which was succeeded in 1891 by the
present large and beautiful church. In 1910 a handsome and commodious
parsonage was added. The Antioch church is one of the most beautiful and
well-kept church properties in the entire county. The Rev. A. B. Roberts has
been the pastor since 1912.
Nine years elapsed before another
Congregational church was started in the county. In 1874 a society was
organized at Martinez. From that time this organization has worked
uninterruptedly, and today they have a very attractive church and an
uncommonly convenient and commodious manse, centrally and beautifully
situated at the county seat. This society numbers among its members now, as
it has in the years gone by, many of the substantial and influential men and
women of the community. To meet the needs of this rapidly growing center,
the church has just called the Rev. George E. Atkinson to become its pastor.
He entered upon his work at the beginning of September, 1916. This church is
facing a great opportunity, and facing it with courage.
In 1882 a church was started at New York
Landing, called the Black Diamond Congregational Church. This organization
worshipped in the brick schoolhouse for some time, until the church
building, at Nortonville was moved to Black Diamond; then later, with the
change of the name of the town to Pitts-burg, the church's name was changed
accordingly. This organization in the years just passed has done much good
in the community. It is fully abreast the times. The adequate and artistic
parsonage, built a little over a year since, is the home of their energetic
and pushing pastor, the Rev. C. C. Champlin. It is just announced that two
splendid lots, one on either side of the church property, have been given to
the church, looking forward in the near future to the erection of a building
adequate to their growing community needs. This church aspires to meet the
needs of the Protestant community for all sorts of church and social life.
The Port Costa church was organized and built
in 1891. Here a Sunday-school has been maintained faithfully for these
years, and the congregation has depended for the most part for its preaching
either upon a student from the seminary or a pastor of one of the
neighboring churches at Crockett or Benicia.
The Bay Point church was built in 1909 by the
co-operation of the community, the lumber company, and the Congregational
Conference. A society was organized in 1910. A parsonage was erected two
years later. This church has therefore just begun a service that is much
needed.
The last society to be organized in this
county by the Congregationalists was at Richmond, in 1915. Its activities
are confined to the district across the railroad tracks toward the hills,
entirely away from the existing churches, and in response to a demand by the
people in that vicinity. At its organization the pastors of several churches
in other parts of the city of Richmond were present, and the council decided
to start this church in response to the people's statement of its need in
the community. The Rev. J. B. Orr is its pastor at the present time. The
rapid growth in membership and in the number of Sunday-school pupils
testifies to a good future in store for it.
Perhaps the best page of Congregational
history in this county consists in the church deaths it has had. In 1877 a
church was started at Pacheco and continued to exist there. Thus the
denomination manifested its desire to be of service to communities that
might need it. In 1903, to meet the needs of the newly organized community,
a church was started at Oakley. Later the Methodist church at Neroly moved
into town; still later a Baptist church was organized. There seemed to be no
room for so many Protestant societies in so small a community. The
Congregationalists therefore sold the church to the improvement club, and
their members work with the Methodist church, thus doing in this county what
needs to be done in many places, consolidate little churches into larger
ones.
Baptist history in Contra Costa County is of
quality rather than quantity. There are only four Baptist churches now at
work in this county, the oldest of which is the San Pablo church. Our Gospel
Boat colporteur is visiting a number of towns with a view of organizing
missions and churches in destitute religious fields, but this is of future
rather than the present.
The San Pablo church was first organized in the
old town of San Pablo, and later was moved to the new town. It is the only
Protestant church on the community, and the only Baptist church in the
state, so far as we know, that has its own cemetery.
The next oldest is the church at Oakley, which
was organized August 10, 1911, with a charter membership of seventeen. This
church gave liberally to missions during that year, as they averaged over
three dollars a member.
The Point Richmond church was organized in
1911, with a member-ship of eighteen. Their growth has been steady, and they
now have a member-ship of forty-four.
Calvary Church, Richmond, was organized as a
branch of the Point Richmond church January 8, 1912, with a charter
membership of thirty-two. They also have had a steady influx of members, now
having 108. This church since its organization has always taken a keen
interest in missions, having met its budget and sometimes exceeding it every
year.
At the present time the Point Richmond church
is the only church that has a pastor, although the others will probably call
one soon. The Rev. C. W. Howd, a student at the Berkeley Divinity School, is
supplying the Point Richmond church as pastor very acceptably.
The inauguration of the Christian Science
movement in Contra Costa County dates from the early part of January, 1909,
when seven women who had felt the healing touch of divine love, and whose
gratitude could only find expression in giving to the field that which has
been of such inestimable value to themselves, met in a private residence and
perfected plans for holding of Christian Science services. Accordingly, two
second-floor rooms were rented in the building occupying the southeast
corner of Macdonald Avenue and Seventh Street, and the first service was
held there on January 17th. Soon, however, these rooms proved inadequate,
and it was decided to erect a small building, to be used as a Christian
Science reading-room, on a lot in Sixteenth Street owned by one of their
number, and in it all the activities of the movement were conducted.
With the removal into their new building in
April the attendance in-creased. The interest manifested seemed to justify
an organization, and on May 5, 1909, the Christian Science society of
Richmond was organized with eighteen members. In the spring of 1910 the
society purchased a lot in Nevin Avenue near Fifteenth Street and moved
their building thereon.
While these activities were being conducted
the Christian Scientists in the county seat were not unmindful of the good
to be accomplished in their field by united action, so only about one year
after the Richmond society was organized a similar organization was formed
in Martinez, which is still being maintained and is making a steady and
stable growth.
The organization of a society which followed
close upon that of Stege, it being formed in the latter part of the year
1910.
Meanwhile Christian Scientists in Antioch
were holding meetings in a private residence, but early in the year 1911, as
more and more interest was manifested in the work, the hall of the Odd
Fellows and Masons was secured, where their services are still being held.
In July of the same year the Christian Science society of Antioch was
formed, and later purchased a desirable lot and is now contemplating
building.
In June, 1912, the society at Richmond
disbanded and reorganized as the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in
Richmond, and since that time they have twice found it necessary to seek
larger quarters; the first time in Pythian Castle, and about one year later
in the auditorium of the new building of the Richmond Club, 1125 Nevin
Avenue, near Twelfth Street, where their services are now being held.
In July, 1912, the society at Stege
reorganized, and Stege having been in the meantime annexed to Richmond, this
organization became known as the Second Church of Christ, in Richmond. A lot
was purchased on Bay Avenue and a small building erected, and there services
are still being conducted.
In February, 1913, two women at Walnut Creek
began reading the lesson-sermons together, and as this became known others
joined them, and very soon the room was outgrown. In April a temporary
organization was formed and later Masonic Hall was secured for their regular
services. A permanent organization was effected in January, 1914, and a
growing interest is being continually manifested in the work there.
The experience at Walnut Creek was not at all
unusual and was repeated in Pinole in the summer of 1914, when three
persons began reading the lesson-sermons in a private residence and were
soon compelled to seek larger quarters. Great interest in Christian Science
is being manifested there, and it is only a matter of a little time when the
work will be organized.
All the Christian Science organizations have
Sunday-schools which are being largely attended, the children being
particularly receptive to the truth and verifying the saying of our master:
"Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in
no wise enter therein."
The Churches of Christ, Scientist, as well as
some of the societies, maintain free reading-rooms and circulating
libraries, thus affording the public an opportunity to read or purchase
authorized Christian Science literature.
The reader will have noticed that the growth
of Christian Science in Contra Costa County has not been phenomenal, but
steady and stable; the foundational work being thoroughly well done, the
future growth of the movement is assured.
Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of
Christian Science, defined the church as "The structure of Truth and Love,"
"That institution which affords proof of its utility," and Christian
Scientists everywhere are proving that it does "elevate the race" and is
"casting out errors and healing the sick."
The first services of this church within the
present boundaries of Contra Costa County, so far as there is any record,
was held by the Rt. Rev. William Ingraham Kip, D. D., Bishop of California,
at Martinez, in 1855 or 1856. These were followed in the next few years by
occasional service as lay-readers by one or another of the United States
Army officers from the arsenal at Benicia. In 1869 a missionary parish was
formed and a small church building erected under the direction of the Rev.
E. C. Cowan, of Doctor Lloyd Breck's associate mission at Benicia, and
named Grace Church.
Under the ministrations of a succession of
earnest clergy the parish had a healthy growth, and on the excellent site
originally chosen there have since been erected a suitable church building
and rectory with other improvements, and a considerable extension of these
buildings is now being planned. The present resident priest in charge is the
Rev. E. G. Davies.
The next church, called St. Paul's, was built
at Walnut Creek in 1891, where a most devoted little band of people have
faithfully sustained services under the direction of the Rev. Hamilton Lee,
the Rev. Hale Townsend, and others.
At Richmond services were begun and Trinity
Church was organized in 1901, by the Rev. D. O. Kelly. A good parsonage on a
fine site well up on the hill looking out over the bay toward the Marin
County hills, was soon after-ward built, and later a church near the
business center of the city. The original plan of the beginners of the
church here contemplated an institutional work, as best suited to the
prospective industrial character of the place. It is hoped such a plan may
yet be realized. At present, as in fact it has been from the beginning,
nominally at least, the administration of the mission here is under the
Venerable John A. Emery, archdeacon of the diocese, through the Cathedral
Staff for Missions.
A branch of the Seamen's Institute of the
diocese, at Port Costa, with its reading-rooms and chapel nestled upon the
hillside overlooking the wharves, should be mentioned as an interesting and
valuable work for seafaring men.
Occasional services are held at several other
points, as Concord and Lafayette, in the interior of the county.
The original Methodist church of Martinez was
built on lot 1, block 32, of the original survey of the town. On December
13, 1853, the lot was donated by Seth M. Swain to the following trustees:
Isaac P. Van Hagrew, William S. Bryant, and Stephen B. Cook. Lots 1 and 2,
block 32, and the buildings thereon, were sold to the Congregational church
for one thousand dollars on February 8, 1878, by the following trustees;
Orris Falls, H. M. Strange, and W. C. Pratt.
On April 23, 1888, the Rev. M. D. Buck,
presiding elder of the Napa district, purchased lots 7 and 8, block 23, for
$350, which money was part of the sale of original property. On August 2,
1889, the Rev. J. M. Van Every, the pastor, secured a quitclaim deed for
them, and the lots were conveyed to the following trustees: James M. Stowe,
Samuel Kelly, and D. R. Thomas. On May 30, 1889, a church was organized,
but, after consultation with an attorney, it was thought illegal, since the
day was a legal holiday. Because of needed time to secure a proper title,
the organization was delayed until August 12, 1889, when it took place at
Masonic Hall, with the Rev. J. M. Van Every as president and Fanny Van
Every as secretary. Brother Van Every brought his family to Martinez, March
22, 1889, and preached his first sermon in Martinez, March 24, 1889, in
Bennett's Hall, to a congregation of nine people. Within a week or two a
Sunday-school was formed, and after a month of services in Bennett's Hall
the congregation moved to Masonic Hall. On May 9, 1889, a ladies' aid
society was formed. During May and June a course of lectures was given by
the following pastors: The Rev. W. W. Case, D. D., pastor of Central
Methodist Church, San Francisco; the Rev. Robert Bentley, D. D., presiding
elder of Oakland district; and the Rev. E. R. Dille, D. D., pastor of First
Methodist Church, Oakland.
On September 16, 1889, Rev. Jas. Blackledge
was appointed to Martinez. In March, 1890, Antioch was joined to the charge,
and there the pastor preached every Sunday evening. About the same time he
also organized a Sunday-school at Pinole and preached there Sunday
afternoons.
At the fourth quarterly conference the
following trustees were approved: C. F. Diehl, Samuel Kelly, and Hart A.
Downer. It was decided to purchase a more central location for the church
property, so lots 1 and 2, block 39, were bought from Byron Brown for one
thousand dollars, Doctor J. Strentzel lending the money to the trustees for
one year without interest. Building on the new church, which was to cost
about twenty-five hundred dollars, was begun August 16, 1890.
The Rev. D. Brill was appointed to Martinez
September 20, 1890. The new pastor found the frame of the church up and
partly inclosed and no money in sight to complete the enterprise.
During the year Doctor Strenzel died, but Mrs.
Strenzel and her daughter, Mrs. John Muir, continued to be of great
financial help to the church, as Doctor Strenzel had been.
The lots purchased during Brother Van Every's
pastorate were sold for six hundred dollars, and shortly after a contract
was let to build a parsonage adjoining the church for six hundred and fifty
dollars.
On February 15, 1891, the church was opened
for dedication, but because of a severe rain-storm was postponed until
March.
The Rev. G. M. Meese was pastor in 1893 and
1894. On Christmas day, 1894, Mrs. Strenzel presented to the board of
trustees the canceled note for one thousand dollars. This left the church
with an indebtedness of two hundred and eighty dollars. During the year Mrs.
Strenzel and Mrs. Muir spent two hundred dollars in improvements on the
church. A new organ was secured, and Mrs. Muir paid the bill. March 2, 1895,
Martinez was made a circuit with Pinole.
The pastors of the Martinez church, with
time of their pastorate, are as follows: John M. Van Every, March 22, 1889,
to September, 1889; James Blackledge, September 16, 1889, to September,
1890; D. Brill, September 20, 1890, to September, 1893; G. M. Meese,
September 11, 1893, to September, 1895; E. B. Winning, September 16, 1895,
to September, 1896; S. Kinsey, September 15, 1896, to September, 1899;
Thomas Leak, September 12, 1899, to September, 1901; J. R. Wolfe, September,
1901, to September, 1902; T. C. Gale, September, 1902; Leon E. Bell,
September 19, 1903, to December 27, 1903; George F. Samwell, September,
1904, to September, 1905; M. J. Gough, September, 1905, to September, 1907;
E. H. Mackay, September, 1907, to September, 1908; E. J. Bristow, September,
1908, to September, 1910; L. C. Carroll, December, 1915, to date.
Antioch became a charge by itself in 1890, and
has continued since, with pastors in charge as follows, in the order named:
F. A. Morrow, 1901-1902; J. M. Barnhart, 1902-1906; C. B. Sylvester, January
14, 1907, to September, 1908; T. A. Towner, 1908-1909; Earnest Grigg,
1909-1911; D. O. Colegrove, 1911-1912; L. P. Walker, 1912-1914; W. C.
Howard, 1914-1915; and the present pastor, Charles Swithenbank, appointed by
Bishop Edwin H. Hughes at the Annual Conference held in San Francisco, in
September, 1915.
The Byron Seventh-Day Adventist church was
organized in 1913, with a membership of fourteen. A handsome new church was
erected in that year costing one thousand dollars. Religious worship is held
each Sabbath at three P. M., and Sabbath-school is held at two P. M. on
Sabbath day. Doctor J. W. Hammond, of Byron, is elder, and his wife is
treasurer.