Imperial County History

In September of the year 1901, Rev. J. S. Kline was appointed to Imperial as a supply. This is the first time that Imperial appears in the minutes. He did some preaching at Blue Lake and Calexico during the year. The following year no one was appointed to the charge, though the Rev. Kline continued to preach occasionally. In March, 1903, Rev. H. C. Mullen of the St. Louis Conference was transferred to the Southern California Conference, and was appointed to the Imperial work by Bishop John W. Hamilton. Rev. Mullen arrived on the field the 16th day of April, and preached his first sermon in the Valley the following Sunday, April 19th, at Blue Lake schoolhouse to an audience of about twenty-five.

On Sunday morning, May 10, H. C. Mullen preached on the eastside at the home of Mr. J. S. Bridenstine to a congregation of about 20. He was the first person to preach in that section, having held services there some seven months before any other preacher had entered the field. The class on the eastside was organized on December 13, 1903, and completed on January 10, 1904. The number of charter members was 14.

In July, 1903, the fifth Sunday, H. C. Mullen preached to an audience of 30 in Brawley, the services being held in an adobe building used at that time as a rooming house. He continued preaching services at this place as opportunity offered until January, 1904, when Rev. Thos. Stamp of Oregon came to take charge of the work. He remained but six weeks, the critical condition of Mrs. Stamp's health brought him here, and she survived only a short time after their arrival. H. C. Mullen continued to care for the Brawley work after Rev. Stamp's departure. A class of 22 charter members was organized on Sunday, April 4, 1904. The series were held in the Cady-Lee Hall. The second week in May following, Rev. Andrew McAllen of the Missouri Conference, who had been transferred to the Southern California Conference, took charge of this point.

The following pastors have served since those mentioned in the preceding lines: Stephen Stanton Myrick, October, 1905, to October, 1906; Charles Wentworth, October, 1906, to October, 1907; Mott Mitchell, October, 1907, to October, 1909; Frank Lucas, October, 1909, to October, 1910; R. I. McKee, October, 1910, to October, 1912; O. M. Andrews, October, 1912, to October, 1913; Robert E. Wright, October, 1913 to October, 1916; Quintin P. Royer, October, 1916, to ------------

The seed from which sprang the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Calexico, Cal., was first planted by Rev. H. C. Mullen, who in the early part of the year 1903 came from the city of Imperial, once a month, and preached in Calexico schoolhouse, which was located at that time on the main canal north of the city.

A lot was donated by the Imperial Investment Company on the corner of Heffernan and Third streets, and here Rev. McAllen erected his tent on Saturday and prepared to preach his first sermon on the following day, but a wind storm arose and blew down the tent that night, and so the first services were held on the Sabbath in the office of the California Development Company.

During the week following the tent was re-elected and Methodism was installed on the site which has been her home ever since. A Sunday school of about 20 members was at once organized, with Mr. E. S. McCullom as superintendent. This child of the church has since grown to be a strong, sturdy youth, with a membership of about 300.

In the fall of 1905 Rev. O. C. Laizure became the pastor of this sturdy young church. It was during his pastorate that the Epworth League and Ladies' Aid Society were organized. It was also in the latter part of 1905 when the task of building a permanent church building was begun, but, owing to the first break in the Colorado River, work on the building was suspended for about nine months. In the fall of 1906, Rev. Wm. M. Harkness came to be the pastor of the church, work was again begun on the building and the church was completed and dedicated about the first of June, 1907. From that time the growth of the church has been rapid and is now carrying on work in all the various departments of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The first services of the Episcopal Church in Brawley were held in October, 1910, by the Rev. Edgar M. Rogers of Imperial, the pioneer Episcopal clergyman in the Imperial Valley. A meeting of interested women, held at the home of Mrs. Arthur P. Higgins on All Saints' Day, November 1, 1910, resulted in the formation of All Saints' Guild. And soon the name of All Saints' was decided upon as that of the congregation. The Rev. Mr. Rogers was a man of keen business sagacity, and under his leadership the splendid site at the junction of South Imperial Avenue and the Plaza was acquired. Meantime services were held at the Presbyterian Church. The first officers were: Warden, Mr. Nelson T. Shaw, and treasurer, Mrs. Arthur P. Higgins.

For a few months in the spring of 1911 the Rev. Mr. Rogers was assisted by the Rev. Edwin B. Mott. The former resigned, however, on May 1, and was succeeded by the Rev. Lawrence M. Idleman. In November he presented the first class for confirmation to the Right Rev. Joseph H. Johnson, D. D., S. T. D., Bishop of Los Angeles. This service was held at the Presbyterian Church.

At the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Idleman the first of the year he was followed by the Rev. Frederick W. Pratt. During his incumbency the present structure, a portable chapel, was erected. The first services were held in it by the Rev. Mr. Pratt, April 4, 1912. He, however, was compelled to leave the Valley because of ill health, and late in the year was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Wood. About this time an organ was purchased and paid for by the efforts of the members of All Saints' Guild.

On October 1, 1913, the Rev. Herbert V. Harris assumed charge of All Saints', holding services also at St. Matthias', Imperial. With the growth of the work at Brawley he relinquished the latter about the middle of 1914. The following spring the chapel was enlarged and a vested choir inaugurated. The Rev. Mr. Harris resigned in May, 1915, to go to Trinity Church, Orange.

For several months in the fall of that year services were conducted by Mr. Carl E. Arfwedson and Mr. J. A. Harris, lay-readers. From December of that year, however, till the next summer All Saints' was in charge of the Rev. Randolph Leigh. Since October 1, 1916, the services have been provided by the Rev. C. Rankin Barnes, with residence at El Centro.

The officers of All Saints' for 1918 are: Lay-reader, Mr. J. A. Harris; warden, Mr. C. A. Terwilliger; clerk, Dr. A. N. Morgan; and treasurer, Mr. J. A. Harris. The present officers of All Saints' Guild are: President, Mrs. James L. Allen; vice-president, Mrs. O. B. Dunham; secretary, Mrs. W. F. Beal; treasurer, Mrs. Daniel Gaines.

After Imperial, El Centro was the second town in the Imperial Valley to have regular services of the Episcopal Church. The early records have, however, been lost, presumably in the fire described below. The first services were held by the Rev. Edgar M. Rogers, the pioneer Episcopal clergyman in the Valley, who made his headquarters at Imperial. Tradition has it that the first service was held on the Oregon Hotel.

Under the initiative of the Rev. Mr. Rogers, a meeting was held at the home of Mrs. W. E. Morton, February 23, 1910, which resulted in the organization of St. Paul's Guild. The first officers were: President, Mrs. A. W. Swanson; vice-president, Mrs. Norma Richardson; secretary, Mrs. M. Emma Pearson; treasurer, Mrs. W. E. Morton. And from that time to the present St. Paul's Guild has continued a great power in the life of the congregation. It was largely by their efforts that the original church lots were purchased.

The Rev. Mr. Rogers resigned May 1, 1911, being immediately succeeded by the Rev. Lawrence M. Idleman, who remained till Christmas of that year. During the early part of 1912 St. Paul's was under the direction of the Rev. Frederick W. Pratt. It was at this time that a portable chapel was erected at the southwest corner of Fifth and Orange. On the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Pratt, he was succeeded by the Rev. William Cochran, who remained in charge for about a year and a half.

On December 1, 1914, he was succeeded by the Rev. Timon E. Owens, who lived at Imperial and was in charge of the two congregations till June 1 of the following year. During the season 1915-16 the clergyman in charge was the Rev. Randolph Leigh, but as his residence was at Brawley, most of the services were conducted by Mr. Charles E. Addis, lay-reader. All Saints' Altar Guild was organized about this time.

Like that of San Francisco, the history of St. Paul's Church has two chapters, before and after the fire. For on the night of August 8, 1916, the little portable chapel burned to the ground. At first the congregation were heartily discouraged, but decided that the crisis only served as an incentive to rebuilding in a more permanent way.

The bishop named the Rev. C. Rankin Barnes as priest-in-charge from October 1. For four months from that date services were held at Mulligan's Funeral Chapel while plans were being drawn for the new church. The architect was Mr. Samuel B. Zimmer. Ground was broken December 1, and the new edifice at Fifth and Orange rushed to completion. An attractive building, on simple lines, it represents an expenditure of $4000. The new St. Paul's, as it is called, was dedicated by the priest-in-charge February 11, 1917. It has a long hall paralleling one side, which is used for the Sunday School, guild meetings and social gatherings.

The officers of St. Paul's for 1918 are: Lay-reader, Mr. Carl E. Arfwedson; warden, Mr. Samuel B. Zimmer; clerk, Mr. R. M. Linekin; treasurer, Mr. J. G. Cadman. The officers of St. Paul's Guild are: President, Mrs. M. W. Conkling; vice-president, Mrs. George H. Hayward; secretary-treasurer, Mrs. Alfred C. Aitken.

There is a small group of Episcopalians in Holtville organized as St. Mark's Mission. Organization was first effected in 1910, under the direction of the Rev. Edgar M. Rogers, an able pioneer. Lots were purchased, one of them being occupied by what is now called "the old schoolhouse." One room of this was converted into a chapel.

The congregation has been cared for by different clergy living at El Centro or Imperial. After the departure of the Rev. Edgar M. Rogers these were the Rev. Messrs. Lawrence M. Idleman, Frederick W. Pratt, and William Cochran. During the administration of the last a small rectory was erected. During the period 1914-16 the church was without services, due to a shortage of clergy.

May 18, 1908, the Right Reverend Joseph H. Johnson, D. D., S. T. D., Bishop of Los Angeles, visited Imperial to confer with local Episcopalians. He made a similar visit about a year later, but regular services were not initiated till February 13, 1910, on the arrival of the Rev. Edgar M. Rogers, the pioneer Episcopal clergyman of the Imperial Valley. For a month the Sunday services were held in the Water Company Hall. This was the initial work of the Episcopal Church in the Valley.

Organization was soon effected, Dr. E. E. Patten being the first warden and Mr. Charles J. Jenney the first clerk. For a year services of the Imperial Episcopal Church, as it was called, were held at the Imperial Business College. During this period there was a flourishing Woman's Guild, which aided greatly in the work of accumulating funds for a permanent church building. As a result of a united effort an artistic building of brick and concrete was erected at the cost of $2700. The architect was Mr. Samuel B. Zimmer, now of El Centro. It was used for the first time February 24, 1911. The date was St. Matthias' Day, and the church has since then always borne the name of the "Thirteenth Apostle."

Soon after this the Rev. Mr. Rogers resigned to go to the state of Washington. His successor, the Rev. Lawrence M. Idleman, remained only from May 1 till Christmas. During 1912 the Rev. Frederick W. Pratt was in charge of St. Matthias' until compelled to resign on account of ill-health. During the first half of 1913 the Rev. Henry Wood was in charge. At this time the church was freed from debt, and was consecrated by Bishop Johnson on February 23, the eve of St. Matthias' Day.

On October 1, 1913, the Rev. Herbert V. Harris assumed charge of the work, and during his incumbency the little rectory was built. He was also in charge of All Saints' Church, Brawley, and after the middle of 1914 was given charge of that work only. Late in that year the Rev. Timon E. Owens was appointed to St. Matthias', but only remained for six months. From December, 1915, till June 1, 1916, St. Matthias' was under the care of the Rev. Randolph Leigh of Brawley. Since October 1, 1916, the services have been provided by the Rev. C. Rankin Barnes, with residence at El Centro.

The religious effort which developed into the present church organization was a weekly preaching service and prayer meeting established by Rev. T. L. Taylor in the Masonic Hall, in Brawley, in the month of April, 1908. Rev. Taylor, who had removed from San Pedro, California, in December, 1907, sought to begin a Baptist work immediately on his arrival, but the Methodists and Presbyterians were occupying the Masonic Hall, the only available place in town in which to conduct services. The following April, however, the Methodist folk moved into their newly finished church house, thus making room for the Baptist services in the hall. Services were continued in Masonic Hall for a while, then in Rev. Taylor's home, and later in the public school building.

When the Baptists began to plan for a church organization they were told by some that the town already had more churches than it could support. But Baptists are rather persistent, and went ahead and organized a regular Baptist Church, January 10, 1909, with ten charter members, as follows: Rev. T. L. Taylor, Ethel Perryman, Lena Taylor, W. J. Taylor, Curt Holland, Lee T. Holland, Mrs. S. E. Wheelan, P. W. Ward, Minnie McKeehn, and Lackey Darnell. Rev. T. L. Taylor was chosen as pastor and Curt Holland as church clerk.

Plans for a church home were put on foot. One lot was purchased and another was given by the Brawley Building Loan and Improvement Company, and the present structure was built on these lots in the summer of 1910. The work of construction was placed under a foreman. Part of the labor was donated by members of the church. In November of the same year the house was dedicated with a debt of about $1250. The Home Mission Society was appealed to, which responded with a donation of $500 and a loan of $500. The debt of $750 thus left on the house has been paid a little each year, the last installment of which was raised October 28 of this year. It gives the Church great joy to come to the ninth anniversary with no debt and with a small balance in the treasury.

Since the organization of the church five pastors have served. Rev. T. L. Taylor had the honor of being the first, and served the church for three years and five months, resigning June 10, 1912. In the interim Rev. Amos Robinson and Mr. Frederick Rapson supplied the pulpit. October 13, 1912, Rev. Carl Bassett, a licentiate of Calvary Baptist Church, Los Angeles, was called to be pastor and ordained by the church.

Rev. Bassett served the congregation about a year and resigned. The church then called Rev. John Boyd, who served as pastor from September 6 to June or July, 1914. Rev. A. F. Wallis next took charge of the church in September following Rev. Boyd's resignation, and continued till November, 1916. The church was then without a pastor until March, when the present incumbent, D. W. Beberly, took charge as supply pastor during the Hermiston meetings, and was regularly chosen April 4, 1917.

The church has been prosperous as could be expected in a transient district in which constructive work on the ranches and in business is the watch-word. It has had its ups and downs, but more ups than downs. Under Rev. Taylor it increased to fifty odd members; the membership also increased materially under Rev. Bassett. The rest of the ministers contributed their part toward the church's growth. The present membership is 104. And now since we are out of debt, and since we are getting our departments into a better organized and modernized shape, we are looking forward to a period of genuine prosperity and permanent, intelligent advancement along all lines of the highest type of church growth.

The Free Methodist Church of Brawley was organized by District Elder David McLeod in 1912, with eleven charter members, as follows: C. H. Ruth, Grace Ruth, Levina Bailey, Electa Robb, E. M. Robb, Carrie Robb, W. N. Jones, Clara Jones, Rachel Lyall, Wm. Nixon, J. P. Heil. In 1913 a nice, well-furnished church with two lots, on the corner of Imperial and D streets, was purchased from the Nazarene Church. D. D. Dodge served as pastor in 1912 and D. A. Heck in 1913, and S. W. Stone in 1914. F. A. Ames, the present pastor, is closing his third year and has seen the membership grow from eight full members and two probationers to seventeen full members and fourteen probationers. While S. W. Stone was pastor a parsonage was built.

There is an active Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, with Mrs. Grace Ruth as president. A flourishing Sunday School is doing good work with forty members. The church property is free from debt. The pastor has a Sunday afternoon appointment in the schoolhouse at Westmoreland, and a regular Sunday evening street meeting is held in Brawley, which is largely attended.

Brawley, previous to December 13, 1908, offered no church to the small Catholic population. On December 13, 1908, a modest wooden structure witnessed the first services. Mass was celebrated by Rev. F. Bewelbach, who then made his residence in El Centro. January 18, 1910, Father Bewelbach took up his residence at Brawley. After zealous labors and co-operation of his good people, he was able to erect the beautiful edifice which now stands as a memorial to his zeal. The new church was completed and dedicated by the late Rt. Rev. Thos. J. Conaty, D. D., bishop of Monterey and Los Angeles, in the latter part of 1912. Father Bewelbach's desire now was to erect a schoolhouse where the Catholic children could be educated in their religion and receive the mental equipment necessary for their success in life. This cherished hope was realized in the latter part of 1915, when the beautiful school building now standing adjacent to the church was dedicated and opened to the children. The Sacred Heart Church and school are the pride and boast of not only the Catholic people, but also of the non-Catholics who contributed so generously to the undertaking. Father Bewelbach resigned his pastoral office July 15, 1917, and was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Martin, the present incumbent. The parish is growing in leaps and bounds. Its school facilities, under the able direction of the sisters of St. Joseph, of Eureka, California, are extended to and enjoyed by non-Catholic children as well as Catholics.