Petaluma -1877

1. Petaluma -1877

2. History of First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma • 1852 : The survey for Petaluma completed. An agriculture center for grain and meat supplying San Francisco and the gold fields. • 1850s: Methodist church started • 1854: Combined Congregationalists and Presbyterians created in Petaluma. Denominations had formed an alliance in 1801.

3. Presbyterians organize • May 27, 1883 – 60 members of the Congregationalist Church withdrew • Formed First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma on July 22, 1883 • 45 Charter members • W. H. Darden, Stated Supply, from July, 1883 to October, 1887 – then installed as pastor

5. Presbyterians organize • First meeting hall was Derby Hall on Washington & Main Sts. until Oct. 1883 • Moved to the Baptist Church on Kentucky Street (since destroyed). • First church was at 4th and A Streets, with initial services 1/28/1885 (less than 2 years to construct) • Remained in this church until 1963

6. Old Church on 4th & A Streets

7. Presbyterians Become Established • Rev. Darden submitted resignation – 8/1890 because of congregation indifference and lack of cooperation – resignation withdrawn and he remained until 1905 (15 more years) a total of 22 years. • Petaluma unscathed by the ’06 Quake – prospered by providing eggs and poultry to San Francisco • Revolving door pastors: 7 pastors in 12 years – last left to go to France for WWI

8. Petaluma -1877

9. Survival of the Congregation • Rev. F. S. Shimian – 12/1919 to 3/1928 • Building used by Ladies Aid Society & Women’s Christian Temperance Union – there is a fountain on Western Ave. and Petaluma Blvd. with the WCTU initials • During WWI congregation met with Christian and Congregational Churches as show of unity • In 1941, first woman served as an Elder, (11 years after approved by the National Presbyterian Church)

10. Frank ‘Pop’ Raney • Pop Raney was the ‘Barry Fitzgerald of Petaluma’ (Bells of Saint Mary) • Installed April, 1928 and led the congregation through the Great Depression and World War II • Many of the older members (Joanne Lubbers, Dorothy Henning, & Tammy Fautley) grew up with Pop as their pastor

11. Pop Rainey with children (photo from Tammy Fautley

12. The Choir ~1943 (photo from Tammy Fautley

13. Quartet ~1943 (photo from Tammy Fautley

14. Youth Ski Trip (photo from Tammy Fautley

15. A New Pastor and a new Church • Rev. Raney retired July, 1957 – 29 years • Rev. Fred Rusk installed November, 1957 Beginning of a time of Change • Board of Deacons established in 1957 • Rotating plan for the Trustees and Elders • New Manse built at D and Grossland Way • New site on B St selected and dedicated 1962

16. Site Dedication – February, 1962

17. Old Church Destruction

18. New Sanctuary • The new sanctuary was dedicated March, 1963 – one year to construct • Described by the Argus Courier as an “Inspirational Tower, the much discussed crown of First Presbyterian Church”. • Cost: $173,000 – 10,700 sq. ft.

21. Outbuildings • Christian Education Building and Kitchen was built in 1964

22. Controversy Comes to 1st Presby • Social issues of the 60’s created divisions in the congregation • Rev. Rusk walked in Selma, Alabama • Denomination decisions caused further division – Vietnam and Legal Aid for Angela Davis • Session met with Presbytery concerning division between Rev. Rusk and congregation – Church nearly closed

23. Only thing constant is Change • Rev. Rusk retired December, 1971 • Rev. William Saladin served as interim pastor • Bill is the Director of Hope Counseling Services, until his retirement in 2005. Interim Pastor Rev. William Saladin

24. Only thing constant is Change • Rev. Hugh Goss – December 10, 1972 after a one year search • Time of program expansion – Happy Day Presbyterian School started in the Fall, 1976 • HDPS strongest mission outreach of FPCP

25. Rev. Hugh Goss was called as Pastor, December 1972 and served until 1980. • Rev. Goss helped to found Petaluma Ecumenical Properties – now PEP Housing • Happy Day Presbyterian School started in the Fall 1976, under Director Shirley Caine. • HDPS remains FPCP’s strongest outreach

26. Outbuildings January, 1977 Groundbreaking for Koinonia Hall and Fireside Room (Pastor Hugh Goss on left in robe)

27. Outbuildings • Discovery Room was added in 1990 by Happy Day Presbyterian School • The mortgage was paid off 2005

28. Rev. Harry Washburn – served as interim pastor March, 1980 till Dec, 1980

29. Rev. Gary A. Gard • Rev. Gary Gard was called February 1981 and served until 1995 – 14 years • He worked to build an inclusive congregation – all people are welcome. • Social Justice (Sanctuary for Central Americans, etc.) an issue in the 1980s

30. Associate Pastor Rev. Tim Boyer • 1991 - Rev. Tim Boyer was called to serve as Associate Pastor, – Tim was a recent graduate of SFTS • Tim remained until shortly after Rev. Gard’s departure

32. In the Interim • Interim Pastor Jane Newstead served six tumultuous months in 1995 • Interim Pastor Rod Fridlund served the remainder of the interim period. Rev. Rod Fridlund

33. Carlyle • Rev. Carlyle Spohr was called in 1997 as the nineteenth pastor. • Darlene Spohr, Carlyle’s wife, served as Director of Children’s Ministry and built a large Sunday School Program. Rev. Carlyle Spohr

34. Carol • Carlyle resigned in 2001 to return to his home in Denver, CO. Having served for 4 years. Rev. Carol Shellenberger served as Interim Pastor Dec. 2001-Jan. 2004

35. Sanctuary Renovation • The Sanctuary desperately needed to be refurbished. • Services were held in Koinonia Hall for six months, including Advent 2002 and Lent 2003.

36. The same, but different The Sanctuary Renovation was completed April 2003, with funds raised in two capital funds campaigns and $400,000 borrowed from the Synod of the Pacific. • Rev. Shellenberger served until January, 2004

37. A new Pastor Called • Rev. Dave Weidlich was called February 2004 as FPCP’s 21st Pastor Rev. Dr. Dave Weidlich

38. What’s New ... • 40 Days of Purpose • Revitalized Small Groups • Growing programs for all age groups

39. ? What's Next