Community Presbyterian Church (Vacaville, California)

Community Presbyterian Church, 2003

The Community Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian church in Vacaville, California. Established in 1873 as the First Presbyterian Church of Vacaville, the church has undergone several name changes and location changes throughout its history.

First Presbyterian Church of Vacaville

The First Presbyterian Church of Vacaville was organized on July 12, 1873. Officiating at the birth of the church was the Reverend Thomas Frazier, Synodical Missionary of the Synod of the Pacific, Benicia Presbytery.

There were 22 charter members of the church as follows: David Creighton, wife and three daughters; Mr.. and Mrs.. George Brown; Mr. and Mrs. Thurston; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Eversele; Mr. and Mrs. O.J. Bingham; Mrs. Charley Loomis; Mrs. Coburn Farmer; Mrs. Laura Davis; Mrs. Fascett; Mrs. Cynthia Merchant; Miss Gorman; Mr. Robert Simpson; Mr. J.B. Robinson; and Mr. James C. Weir. Worship services were held in the Methodist Church for several months. The original Ruling Elders of the church were Robert Simpson, O.J. Bingham, and J.B. Robinson with Henry Eversole as Sunday School Superintendent. Later that September, Mr. James C. Weir was ordained as an elder. The Church was started as a "Home Mission" field church and did not become fully self supported until 27 years later.

For the first several months, the pulpit supply came primarily from the San Francisco Theological Seminary (subsequently relocated to its present site at San Anselmo). During 1876, the Reverend A. J. Compton was called as the first regular minister of the church. Mr. Compton had suffered a severe stoning by natives of Mexico at his previous mission assignment. Services were held in the Methodist Church for those first few months, then the first church building owned by the church was purchased from the Christian Church. This building had also served as the Vacaville High School for an undetermined period. That structure was moved to a lot on the corner of what is now Wilson and East Main Streets. This structure suffered a fire just a year later (1877) which destroyed all the Minutes of Session to that date. Subsequent to that date, still another fire in 1891 destroyed the entire building. Mr. Compton remained until 1879 when the pulpit supply again came from the San Francisco Seminary until a graduate student, Mr. Robert Ballagh was called and served until the Spring of 1882.

Records of that period are sketchy, but the church continued to grow and struggle with the problems of the day. The following resolution gives rise to the suspicion that a generation gap existed:

"When candidates apply for membership hereafter, it shall be the imperative duty of Session to make diligent inquiry by direct question if the candidate has been in the habit of dancing and if they propose to continue in the habit, and if they answer in the affirmative they are to be informed immediately that no such person will be received into the communion until after a total renunciation of that sin."

It is further recorded that "this made some of the younger members unhappy as they could see no harm in dancing. They had been permitted to dance in their former Church."

The Reverend John D. Beard from Illinois replaced Robert Ballagh (1882-1887). He is described as a man along in years with a wife and four children and as being "a sincere, earnest minister."

In 1888, The Reverend F.J. Edmunds from Kansas took up the work and remained for two years. The church was in a very precarious condition at that time. In the Fall of 1890, the Presbytery met there, granting leave again to supply the pulpit. The Theological Seminary had been removed to San Anselmo from which several young men came up at the week-ends to fill the pulpit.

Reverend Donald Ross, 1890–1892

Finally, Mr. Donald M. Ross, a seminary student, came to stay until Spring vacation. Then something had to be done or let the church go down as the church was in debt $65.00 and Mr. Ross could not be paid. If there were no services, the debt could not be paid, so the elders offered Mr. Ross $30.00 to start with. Mr. Ross replied, "If you will give me enough to finish my course in the Seminary, I will stay." From that time, Elder James Weir and Mrs. Weir took Mr. Ross in as one of the family and he lived there for some time. The Weirs' and others of the congregation, as was the custom of the time, fed and lodged the various young student ministers as the pay was so small. The elders decision was to be proven sound. Mr. Ross was soon receiving much more than the $30 a month salary. In fact, after the church building was burned to the ground in 1891, a new lot at Main and Parker was purchased. A new church was built and then dedicated. The Rev. Donald M. Ross completed his Seminary work. In the fall of 1892, Rev. Ross took as his bride, Miss Dutton, church organist. They then went on to a new pastorate in San Francisco. A complete account of the dedication of the new church follows:

Community Church of Vacaville, Steeple Intact, Corner of Main and Parker

"Sunday morning saw the new Presbyterian Church thrown open for the first time, and the seating capacity was taxed to its utmost, at least four hundred witnessing the dedicatory services. These were conducted by the Reverend McDonald of Santa Rosa, and the pastor, The Reverend Donald Ross, assisted by The Reverends J.E. Denton, H.E. Jewett, and S.A. Keatch, who were present with their respective congregations. The services lasted from 11 o'clock until 1 o'clock. "It is a remarkable circumstance, as was said in Mr. Ross' remarks that morning, that two church buildings (referring to the Presbyterian and Christian) should be built simultaneously by one community. That it is a fact speaks volumes for -each and every contributor. "To say that the building is an ornament to this section is to rehearse the individual and general sentiment of all. Architecturally it has been well planned, the steeple and roof adding much to the effect of size. A change in the entrance will be made, however, and an ornamental portico of some size be added. The grounds have yet to be planted and walks laid and electric lights and a bell put in. Nothing will be spared to make the open-air portions all that could be asked. Comfortable would express the main idea of the interior arrangements. There is a large auditorium, seated with two hundred opera chairs; the room is comfortably carpeted, and finished off in plaster with mahogany wainscoting. The ceiling is arched and very high. A large chandelier is one of the main features. An expensive walnut pulpit set upholstered in dark red plush occupies the northern end of the building. A vestibule opens into the auditorium and Sunday School room, and sliding doors separate these two main rooms. At the left of the vestibule is a room which will be used for the various small committee meetings and also as a classroom. Two large colored glass windows with two smaller ones light the auditorium and another large-sized one with one smaller has been placed in the Sunday School room. The choir has been accommodated at the northern end. "The total cost of the building has exceeded the contractor's price by $3000, making the figure $7000. Of this amount, nearly all had been paid; $800 remained to be raised before the building could be said to be free from debt."

The amount was raised, and in less than fifteen minutes. Not only the $800 asked, but $100 less than twice that amount. In a little speech at the conclusion of the address of Mr. McDonald, a statement of the finances was made by Mr. Ross, and contributions asked toward the amount, with a comprehensive statement of expenditure and the purpose of the fund. The entire sum of $600 was not asked, but the speaker urged only the pledging of $300. The ball was started rolling by a contribution of $50 and when a halt was called the suns of $50, $25, $10, and $5 ascertained, it was found that the sum had reached $905. The amount after the service had increased to $1,100." Mr. Ross, though apparently very popular, only stayed for two years. The Reverend John McLean, a seminary student, took up the work in the Fall of 1892. It is written about Rev. McLean that "he was a good sermonizer but a poor mixer." The Reverend H.E. Jewett another seminary student, occupied the pulpit frequently until July 1896. During his term the pulpit was often filled by a nunber of other seminary students for very brief periods each. The following extract from the June 13, 1896 issue of the Vacaville Reporter establishes that the church participated actively in the commencement exercises of the first Vacaville High School graduation:

"The Vacaville Union High School Graduates its first class. On Friday evening last exercises were held in the full church with about seventy five unable to get through the doors. The graduates were Miss Gertrude Jewett, Miss Pearl Brazelton, Frank Marshall and Marion Brazelton. A fine program was presented by the students. The address was given by The Reverend H.E. Jewett."

The pulpit was occupied by Mr. Andrew C. Strauchen in 1896 about whom very little is written. A very brief entry on July 10, 1897 indicates he left the church in at least as good a condition as he found it. "The Reverend G. G. Eldridge was called. The work of the church was going well, as of this report." The 25th anniversary of the Church was observed on July 16, 1898 with Mr. Eldridge officiating. That observance was described at that time as follows:

"Last Sunday the Presbyterian Church fittingly celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Not in pomp and splendor but in quiet solemn worship, giving thanks to God for his mercy in sustaining the Church through the years that are past. And as the text of the Sermon from the 4th Chapter Joshua indicates, so this church organized 25 years ago stands today as the memorial to the children of the pioneers, who had the courage and good will to organize themselves into a body for public worship and moral influence in our community. And as children should honor their parents so it seemed good that we should this day especially honor those who did the work we could not do. We are glad to notice a few of the charter members of the church are still with us to encourage us to carryon the work they so well began, that the next few years may be marked with still greater success than the past. The Church has during this time suffered from two fires the last time in 1891, the church building was entirely destroyed, after which a larger and more commodious church house (the present one) was erected, and dedicated in the spring of 1892."

Rev. Eldridge left Vacaville in the Spring of 1899 to become Pastor of St. John's Church in San Francisco. The Reverend John R. Jones was called that year and remained until 1901. Very little is known of the church's activities during that period except for the fact that it was during this time frame that the Church became self-supporting and was no longer a "mission church." The next minister to serve the church, The Reverend James Curry, D.D., provided outstanding spiritual leadership for the next 6 years and it is recorded "under whom the work of the Church was carried on thrivingly." Among the records of that period is a report made by Mr. Curry as follows:

"During July and August union services were held on Sabbath evenings in the open air on Main Street which were well attended. Your pastor has delivered 119 sermons and addresses among them being addresses on Memorial Day in the Vacaville Opera House, at the State Christian Endeavor Convention in Santa Rosa, Installation of the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Placerville. Delegates from our church have attended the meetings of Synod and Presbytery, the Woman's Presbyterial Missionary Society and the State and County Conventions of the Sabbath School Associations and Christian Endeavor Unions. Thus the influence of our church has been extended far beyond the bounds of our own parish."

The church has long been recognized as a leader in ecumenical affairs through working diligently for unity and cooperation among all Christian Churches. The following notice that appeared in the March 5, 1904 Vacaville Reporter attests to the validity of that statement:

"The regular monthly meeting of the Minister's Union of Vacaville will be held in the Presbyterian Church on Monday next, March 7, at 10: 30 o'clock. A paper will be presented by Mr. James Curry of the Presbyterian Church on "Christ the Example of Ministers." Ministers from neighboring towns are invited to attend and will be entertained. Everyone interested in the subject will be welcome." (The Reporter, March 5, 1904)

Community Church of Vacaville After Steeple Fire

Mr. Curry was succeeded by Reverend H.N. Coontz in 1907 and served until 1910. The most spectacular recorded event during the term of Mr. Coontz was an exciting, valiant and successful struggle to prevent the church from again being consumed by fire. On Sunday morning, July 11, 1909, the Hotel Raleigh across the street from the Church burned to the ground. That fire posed a grave threat to the Church building. The following is the newspaper account of that incident as it affected the church:

"Just across the Parker Street from the burning building stood the Presbyterian Church, one of the handsomest houses of worship in Vacaville. For some time it was believed firemen would not be able to save the church from burning, but they fought with determination and not for a moment were their efforts relaxed. The great heat began to scorch the east side of the church and the water pressure was not sufficient to send a stream to the eaves. The only way to reach the fire was from the roof and Guy Bassett, although not a member of the fire department, George Akerly and C.E. Lawrence mounted the steep roof dragging a line of hose. By this means they kept the roof wet and filling a small bucket with water, Mr. Bassett crept to the edge and dashed water under the eaves, which at one time had begun to blaze. A row of trees along the sidewalk were of great service in keeping the heat from the body of the building and it is probably that but for these trees no human effort could have saved the church. The steeple, projecting to considerable height, soon began to smoke and blaze. The firemen made every effort to reach this fire, but the water pressure as not sufficient, and people held their breath in fear that after the hard fight of the firemen, the building would yet burn. The firemen, however, only fought the harder for this new dander. Sam Bentley, chief of the fire department, Buck Cline, M.T. Jewell, Frank Costello, and R.R. Beard, the latter not a member of the fire department, worked in the steeple, and finally made their way up into it, and with a small chemical (sic) were able to reach the fire and partly extinguish it. The watching crowds breathed a sigh of relief. Had the church burned, it is believed no human agency could have prevented the spread of the flames to the parsonage and from that to other residences, and no one dared venture an opinion as to where the fire would have stopped. Many people wondered why it was, when the fire had apparently been extinguished, the firemen sawed off the timbers and toppled the steeple into the street. It was because they could not reach the flames to entirely extinguish them and were afraid to wait for the fire to burn down to a.point where they could apply water. They could not climb the interior of the steeple, and any ladder they could use in the close quarters was too short to be of service. Not being able to force the water up to the fire they concluded it best to remove it and run no chances."

Church Annex

Community Church of Vacaville with New Annex Complete

A memorable event in the life of the church, as well as the entire city of Vacaville, was the construction of the church annex in 1912. The April 19 issue of the Vacaville Reporter contained the following article that highlights that event, as well as summarizing the church up to that period. The new church steadily grew.

"To accommodate the growing work and the needs of the community in general, an Annex was added which doubles the capacity of the church proper. This addition is intended not only for the larger church work but affords a place for physical culture and social and literary gatherings for the whole community. There is a large hall which can be a gymnasium and which, with the gallery, will seat some 450 people. There is a commodious stage, boy's room, ladies rest room, lavatories with shower baths for boys and girls, a parlor, a kit-chen, cloakroom and lockers. The whole arrangement is exceptionally good. The annex is a great addition to the town and will be of service in many ways. Visitors have much praise. The church work includes besides regular Sunday worship, Sunday School, Intermediate and Senior C.E. Society, midweek worship and social service, Ladies Missionary Society, Ladies Aid, Ora et Labora (young ladies society), Knights of King Arthur, and World Scouts. There were 50 members added in the last 16 months. More money for benevolences and missions than ever before.

Reverend Arthur F. Fruhling

The Reverend Arthur F. Fruhling came to serve the church in 1914 and was to spend virtually his entire career in the service of this church and the Vaca Valley area. The following brief article in the April 24 issue of the Vacaville Reporter makes the simplest mention of the installation of Mr. Fruhling without the slightest knowledge of the profound influence that young man would have on the life of the church and the entire community:

"Fruhling installation as pastor of the Presbyterian Church Tuesday evening. The Reverend E.G. Phillip of Sacramento preached the sermon "The More Abundant Life." The Reverend H.C. Culton of Winters gave the charge to the pastor. In the absence of The Reverend Wieman of Davis, The Reverend A.S. Coats of the Baptist Church gave the charge to the people. Elders - R.P. Duff, Norman Bethune, C.G. Robinson, Ora E. Merchant, James C. Weir, and Paul Burke were installed."

An added feature to supplement the church annex facilities was provided through a generous donation that made the March 18, 1918 edition of the Vacaville Reporter as follows:

"A Simplex DeLux Movie Machine a gift of Mrs. J.C. Weir was announced at the Ladies Aid meeting on Thursday. They voted enthusiastically to stand the expense of installation. Films were to be shown Sunday evenings. They were to be religious and educational."

The Church Annex was pressed into a very humanitarian service during the flu epidemic of 1918 as the following newspaper article describes:

"Fifty nine patients have been received in Vacaville Red Cross hospital (Presbyterian Church Annex) since it opened on November 1. Thirty dismissed and five died. There are twenty four at the present time. Five professional nurses are in charge with several assistants. The kitchen has five shifts with ten people busy. While the Annex was not built with a view of adapting it to its present use, it offered the only solution to the problem which confronted the Red Cross Hospital committee when the sudden emergency necessitated that a hospital be established without delay, and while many inconveniences exist, it is serving the purpose well. At a hospital committee meeting Mrs. B.F. Fields became acting chairman on the illness of Mrs. F.B. McKevitt. Miss Olga Johnson of San Francisco in charge of day nurses and Mrs. M. Tornburg of San Francisco in charge of the night force. The number of patients could be thirty two. There would be a strict quarantine with no visitors. Dr. W.C. Jenny and Dr. M.P. Stansbury were the doctors.On Nov. 22, 1918, there had been sixty five patients in all. Forty four had been dismissed. The Hospital was closed the following week. This was at the time of the Spanish Flu epidemic.

After the flu crisis had passed, the annex immediately reverted to its role as Sunday School on the Sabbath and a community hall virtually every night of the week (the session evidently loosened up on it's objection to "theatrical amusements"). An unidentified individual wrote the following comment about the annex activities:

"Every winter during basketball season, until the advent of the high school gym in 1930, both the town and high school basketball teams played to capacity crowds in the annex. The rafters resounded with the cheers of the crowd in the balcony and the stage. Many local thespians of the town and high school theatrical groups first trod the boards of the annex stage as the names on the old wings and back curtain could testify. The Saturday Club, American Legion, Boy and Girl Scouts, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Lions Club, and other organizations too numerous to mention were among the groups that used the stage and annex, along with the church youth groups, Sunday School, and ladies groups through the years."

Community Church of Vacaville

Almost on the heels of the flu epidemic and the Armistice of World War I, most all of the churches in Vacaville were to suffer severe distress. A byproduct of that distress brought about the first change in the name of the church to "Community Church of Vacaville." External denominational identification virtually ceased to exist for a few years. An article from the June 10, 1921 Vacaville Reporter tells the story of the subordination of denominational identification of the part of several churches in the interest of preserving an effective means of teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in unity and harmony:

"The congregations of the Presbyterian, Baptist, and Christian Churches which recently decided to cooperate under the name of the Community Church of Vacaville, assembled in the Presbyterian Church, last Sunday morning for their first service. Instead of a sermon, several short addresses were made and the following declaration of principle was read:

Name:

This organization shall be known as the Community Church of Vacaville.

Object:

1. The object of said Cooperation is to coordinate the activities and services or the respective congregations in order to pre-vent needless duplication and harmful rivalry of effort, to demonstrate in the larger measure the Christian Unity of the Spirit, and to serve Community and humanity more efficiently, according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. The Community Church aims to function independently of the denominations, yet in cooperation with them. Denominational organization property, interests, requirements and benevolent obligations are to be fully respected. Membership in the Community Church does not interfere with membership in any denomination. On the other hand, one does not need to be a member of a denomination in order to become a member of the Community Church.
3. The Church recognized religion as a universal fact and attitude of life instead of a dogma, and as an indespensible common need, like love and sunshine. We impose upon our members, no formal confession of faith, but seek to stimulate each and every-one to form his own carefully considered convictions thru untrammeled investigation and faithful practice.
4. Until a constitution and by-laws are adopted, the officers of the three congregations, parties to the agreement, will constitute the Governing Board of the Community Church."

The fact that harmony and unity was actually achieved is supported by the following article in the April 13, 1923 issue of the Vacaville Reporter:

"A spirit of happiness, helpfulness, and hopefulness prevaded the atmosphere of the Community Church annual meeting, Wed. Evening. Previous to the general meeting, the denominations comprising the Community Church met to transact business, adjourning to the Annex at 8:15. The reports were encouraging. Refreshments were enjoyed. Reports by Mrs. Watts, Miss Saxton, Mrs. Blake, and Mr. A.F. Fruhling on the advantages of the Union whose organization will be complete next year."

This was the only time the church had two ministers. Mr. Arthur F. Fruhling, who had been pastor since 1913 was assisted by Dr. A.C. Coats for a time. The record is rather vague during the several years of reincorporation and the consolidation of the Baptist, Christian, and Presbyterian Churches into the Community Presbyterian Church. On April 21, 1924, the congregation of the Community Presbyterian Church met to consider the proposed constitution drawn by the committees from the three churches that was chosen to draft same. Mr. Fruhling acted as chairman. The constitution was presented and brought to a vote item-by-item. Then the constitution as a whole was adopted. The Community Presbyterian Church came into being.

Stained Glass of Hoffman's Head of Christ, Community Presbyterian Church, Vacaville, California

The 50th anniversary of the church was observed in 1923. Mr. James C. Weir gave a history of the church as he remembered it. Mr. Weir, in his talk on the 50th anniversary of the church said of Mr. Fruhling, "It is needless to comment, only to say he is doing good work here and is building up a Community Church more successfully than had been done before." About this time, Mrs. Frank Buck, Sr., left money to be used for renovation of the church. A choir loft, choir room, and small Sunday School room were added to the west side of the church. New pews and paint were other improvements. Even though Mr. Fruhling, Mr. James Brightman and other members did much of the work, the Ladies Aid had to help with finances. Pastor Fruhling's wife had died and a suitable memorial was proposed. The members, with the Ladies Aid leading the way, decided on a stained glass window to be put in the wall behind the pulpit. Heinrich Hoffman's head of Christ, a favorite of Mrs. Fruhling, was chosen and soon installed. That memorial is the only visible structural item moved to the new church on Hemlock Street.

In the late 30's the session was apprised of the opportunity to buy the pipe organ in the Vacaville Theater. The price set for the organ seemed favorable. The Ladies Aid had maintained a memorial fund for some time and they volunteered to turn over the funds toward the purchase. Certain other contributions and resources made it possible to purchase the instrument which brought much enjoyment to the congregation through the years. A Memorial Fund was continued for the upkeep of the instrument which was made by the William Wood Co., of Portland, Oregon. The pipes of that organ pipes were heard every Sunday morning and for countless weddings and funerals. But, "Penelope Pipes" became increasingly unreliable as the years passed. Funds were raised through mostly memorial contributions to purchase an Allen Digital Renaissance three-manual state-of-the-art organ in May 2002.

The records indicate that Mr. Fruhling and Mr. Ed H. McMillan attended a regular meeting of Presbytery in Red Bluff on January 22, 1931. At that meeting Mr. McMillan was elected as one of the Commissioners to the General Assembly that was to convene in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in May. McMillan was followed in that capacity several years later by Jim McCrory and still later by Pat Clarno. Mr. Fruhling closed his career as a minister of the church for 43 years with retirement in 1956; that retirement being exceedingly well deserved. Not only did Mr. Fruhling have an active interest in the church, but community affairs as well; The Scout movement, Youth Council, which was the beginning of the City Recreation Program, slum clearance in old Japan Town, and many, many other projects. The Reverend Henry Madden came to the church in 1956 from Placerville.

Community Presbyterian Church

The latter part of the 1950s was a period of rapid growth for Vacaville an with that growth there were several new churches established in Vacaville. During that period the uniting of two of the major elements of the Presbyterian Church at the national level brought about another change in the name of the to Community United Presbyterian Church of Vacaville. That name preserves all of the significant elements of its long history.

Community Presbyterian Church, New Sanctuary on Hemlock Street

The period was also a time when a major decision had to be made regarding the church structure: either invest in a total rehabilitation and remodeling, or acquire property and construct a new church. The ultimate conclusion is obvious; new property was acquired at Eldridge and Hemlock and the old property sold to Safeway Stores who also purchased all the other property on the block. November 16, 1958 was the climax of a year-long series of events celebrating the 85th anniversary of the church. A very well attended family dinner followed by a dramatic presentation of historic events in the life of the church, was the event. The last service in the old church was held May 27, 1962, marking over 70 years of weddings, baptisms, funerals, worship services, sports activities, movies, dinners, and countless community services.

There was a period of several months without a church building, during which time the Saturday Club was used as a sanctuary and Sunday School classes were conducted at several locations. The master plan for utilizing the new property had been adopted, an architect selected and bids accepted for construction, and financing arranged for the sanctuary and education building. The roof of the sanctuary was designed to represent an open Bible, laid down with the words facing the congregation. The dedication of the new church was conducted on Sunday, October 13, 1963 at 4:00 P.M. The Session and congregation at that time were confident that it would be necessary to construct an addition that would link the education building to the sanctuary, as well as build the second unit of Christian educational facilities within a few years.

It is extremely unfortunate that Mr. Fruhling, who had been Pastor Emeritus since his retirement did not live to see the new church. Church members were confident that he would have been pleased with the one visible architectural item brought from the old church-the stained glass head of the Christ Memorial of the first Mrs. Fruhling. The invisible, but very audible item brought from the old church, was the splendid pipes from the old church pipe organ.

W. Warren Prall, TH.D., came to assist as a Parish visitor working primarily with military families assigned to Travis Air Force Base, but living in Vacaville and Fairfield. He also served as a very effective choir director. Dr. Prall retired and died suddenly shortly afterward.

Mr. MacFadden was largely responsible for reactivation of the Vacaville Ministerial Association. The United Presbyterian Women's Group was organized during that period and which absorbed the Ladies Aid and SDB Clubs. A book could be written about the years of service of those clubs to the church and community. The Men's Club and Couple's Club (later to become the Spares and Pairs Club) came into being prior to Rev. MacFadden's retirement in the Summer of 1968. Mr. MacFaddens skills as a leader were confirmed by his being elected as Moderator of the Synod of California in 19??. The Reverend Leo Nelson from the Hawthorne California Church was called to take up the work at that time and take up the work he did! He promptly set about establishing a fund for landscaping the church grounds and never missed a work party doing the planting. A well was dug to irrigate the grounds and the wrought iron sign was designed, fabricated, and donated by one of the church's members; the lighting for which was donated by another. Two very popular and thought-provoking portions of Mr. Nelson's services are the Children's Meditation and Informal Dialog with the Pastor. One of his works not so widely known is with a high school age group in his home every Sunday night.

The Dorcas Circle (the younger women's group) was added to the United Presbyterian Women and undertook establishing a PEP School for preschoolers. A new grand piano was purchased through special contributions.

Community Presbyterian Church, Fire Damage from the May 1976 Fire

In May 1976, fire again took its toll when a stray bottle rocket set the roof afire and did serious damage to the Christian Education Building. Paster Nelson turned to the people of the church and said to look at this as a "Blessing in Disguise" and asked them to pledge to a new Building Fund to not only repair the damage, but to add a much needed second story to the Christian Education / Social Hall and affect other needed repairs. The Office and Conference Room area was added in 1981. In 1987, a separate classroom building, including a choir rehearsal room was built to accommodate the needs of the growing congregation and its outreach to the community.

In June 1992, church members updated the sanctuary, raised the chancel area, painted the walls, enclosed the choir loft, and laid new carpet. In 1994, a new patio was constructed through the determined efforts of many volunteers. It is a great gathering place before and after worship and a prime publicity area for church-sponsored events. The Mission Ministry Team wheels out an ever-changing kiosk of mission-related programs. A special treat for the very young children is to be led from Sunday School to the cookie table before worship is over.

Community Presbyterian Church, 2003

As the church did at the beginning of the century, it still reaches out to the community and host a variety of groups who use its facilities, including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and many twelve-step program groups. Two of the rooms in "C" building house a growing population of Mothers' Day Out (MDO) children and teachers. The Presbyterian Enrichment Preschool, (PEP, as it is known in the community) and MDO are a part of the overall Community Presbyterian Church ministry, with classes held every day. The youth groups continue to grow. Jesus And Me (J.A.M.) for Junior Highs meets on Tuesday nights, and New Life Senior Highs meet on Sunday evenings for fellowship, and on Wednesday evenings for Bible study. The church warmly welcomes all youth of the community. The church has many thriving Bible study small groups for both members and friends. Promise Keepers for men meet every other Saturday, and are becoming famous for their breakfasts! Community Presbyterian Women has three active circles, Dorcas, Martha and Ruth. A Sewing Group meets weekly and makes lap robes and bibs for local convalescent homes.

As the needs of the community change, involves itself with other outreach programs, such as New Focus Program (an extensive program that helps people make life changes). New Focus is a national Christian Financial Counseling Ministry which began in Michigan. In September 1998, Community Presbyterian Church became the first church in California to initiate this ministry. It was led by Kay Buchanan, Marion DeLaney, Sallie Harden, and Anne Ruth. Its premise is based on "teaching a man to fish and he will have food forever" as opposed to a bandage approach of giving assistance for temporary needs.

Meetings are held one night a week and consist of one-on-one personal coaches who assist members in setting short and long term goals, in learning how to budget and to realize that with God's help they can make the difficult changes necessary to achieve their goals and free themselves from the yoke of debt. A children's ministry is included also to introduce the children to Bible study, crafts, games and snacks.

Community Presbyterian Church continues to support other important local outreach programs, such as the Good Samaritans (short-term assistance). We strongly support VacaFISH (local food bank), generously fund Opportunity House (a homeless shelter), and the first build in Vacaville for Habitat for Humanity was dedicated to one of the church's long-time members. The church hosts both sacred and secular concerts from traveling music groups from colleges and universities, and work cooperatively with the Vacaville Unified School District. Crop Walk, the Festival of Trees and the Vacaville Museum are staffed by many Community Presbyterian Church volunteers. One of the church's members has been instrumental in organizing the World Day of Prayer worship. The church has provided space in the summer for a city-sponsored neighborhood recreation van. A blood drive several times a year is held in the church's Social Hall, and the church is an election polling place.

Church members continue to praise God with whatever talents they may bring. A unique ministry called "The Joyful Messenger" was started in 2003. One of the church's members attended a church retreat a long time ago, where the main speaker came dressed as a clown. He taught biblical lessons that were done with laughter, which made them easier to remember. A dream was formed. Clowning could be done at Community Presbyterian Church. Fifteen years later this member, on vacation, learned her cousin was the state's number one clown. The make-up and transformation began. The christian clown "Angelcakes" was born; the church now had a new member. She knew she needed more training and more clowns. Next Jim Jenson became interim pastor at Community Presbyterian Church, and he also did clowning and taught how to do clowning. The Joyful Messengers were created. This Ministry has shared God's love and smiles with homebound members. They have visited the all convalescence homes in town, visited other churches to perform skit based on Bible passages, helped with community programs and raised money for a victims of tragedies. All good things must come to an end, and the Joyful Messenger program finally ended, but it left behind a lot of happy memories—done with love and smiles.

Community Presbyterian Church's current membership is close to 600 and average attendance is about 275 in worship each Sunday. Many Ministry Teams are active in promoting the church's Mission Statement: "Our Mission is to know and love Jesus Christ, be His hands in reaching others, and joyfully proclaim and celebrate His love and grace."

References

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