In places like California, it’s rare to find anything older than about 100. Institutions, that is. But just a few blocks from downtown, the First Presbyterian Church of Ukiah is happy to announce its 150-year-old anniversary celebration.
The two-day festivities begin Saturday, May 18 with an already-confirmed guest list consisting of former members, youth directors, pastors and friends of the church’s ministry, who will be gathering for a dinner, silent auction and a special slide show featuring the highlights of the church’s history.
“We are tapped out at 120 guests for that event,” notes Pastor John Melsness. However, the public is invited to share in the festivities on Sunday, May 19thth which begins with a 10:00 am worship service followed by an old-fashioned potluck, featuring barrel-made tri-tip, an “enormous” cake prepared by Jean Davis and lots of opportunities to eat, meet and greet visitors and old friends who chose to stay overnight and continue celebrating.
“As far as the potluck goes, we’ll take as many people as can fit into the sanctuary,” smiles office manager Denise Beckler.
“I want to see how many we can fit. If Roe Sandelin starts giving me any attitude, we’ll open the doors and ask him to step outside,” Melsness grins, referring to parishioner Sandelin’s former responsibilities as a Fire Chief with the City of Ukiah.
The church’s ability to host the party in the sanctuary is in part because of the decision by Melsness and his parishioners to replace the church pews with comfortable- and moveable chairs.
“There is so much more flexibility in the sanctuary now. We also have rolling tables so it’s the perfect spot for a conference or an concert. And the acoustics are really bright,” he continues. This is in no small part due to the church’s commitment to follow the future and create a space where all are welcome.
Visitors will be greeted with the entry to the fellowship hall featuring some of the highlights from their long history.
Sunday’s service will be an investigation of the future, to balance out the previous evening’s exploration of the church’s past. “Don’t Stop Believin’ – The Journey Continues” is the theme of the event. Every church is struggling with how to attract more people to their community, and this organization is no different.
“There’s a discussion going on about what is called a missional- where people attract more people to the church by going where they are. In the Book of Acts, that’s what they did. There wasn’t even an official church building for the first 200 years of Christianity,” Melsness continues. “Our job is to reproduce the grace of God and all of the good things we’ve experienced. We have to let our mental models go,” he emphasizes. “The Holy Spirit will break out, regardless of what we think. To attract more people to the church, we must demonstrate the flexibility and willingness to adapt.” The service will be highlighted by a liturgical dance performance by Gwendolyn van Wyk, who recently danced at Mendocino College’s Spring Dance Recital and is part of the SPACE faculty next door to the church.
The original church was essentially a carbon copy of the church built in the village of Mendocino, according to Melsness. Charter members had been meeting in what was St. John’s Methodist Episcopal Church- the Saturday Afternoon Club- and organized the First Presbyterian Church in April, 1874.
A deed was soon to follow, with the current location purchased for $250 in gold. House-to-house prayer meetings ensued in September, 1876, with construction of the original church completed by 1879. Heat was provided by a wood-burning furnace and kerosene lamps provided light. The church sat 300 parishioners and cost $4,000, or about $129,000 in today’s dollars. The pastor’s salary was raised by renting pews!
In 1882, Grace Hudson painted the church.
In 1954, a Christian Education and Fellowship Hall were completed. A decision needed to be made whether to remodel or tear down the original sanctuary, with the final Sunday service held in the sanctuary in December of 1965. The old building was demolished in January of 1966, and when the remaining portion of the building was burned, neighbors called it “holy smoke.” It took another year before church services were held in the new sanctuary in 1967. The pulpit was constructed by Dick Wise, and the alter by Walter Eversole.
The front window of the church, entitled “The Burning Bush” was dedicated to Esther Redwine, who was the owner of Esther’s Shoppe – a well-known women’s clothing shop.
The church has had 38 pastors in 150 years, with Rev. Al Damon the longest serving, with 18 years of service. In 2005, Rev. Sherry Budke was hired- the church’s first female pastor, which did result in a few members electing to leave the church, despite the fact that the Presbyterian Church was one of the earliest modern Christian churches to allow the ordination of women and had been doing so since 1956. Denise Beckler has been a Choir and Musical Director since 1994 and continues in that capacity.
More recently, a “mortgage burning ceremony” took place in 1973. In 1999, funds were raised to purchase the existing parking lot, and in 2003, the parking lot was resurfaced, the sidewalk replaced, and the church and manse were painted. During the pandemic, equipment was purchased to facilitate live streaming. New projectors, screens and a digital soundboard were installed in 2022, and classrooms were upgraded.
Last year saw even more upgrades, with the removal of the 1967-era pews, recarpeting of the sanctuary, the installation of new speakers, the purchase of a new gas range for kitchen, new landscaping and construction of ADA-compliant bathrooms.
In the early 1900’s, music was only performed by the male members of the congregation. A pipe organ was purchased for $750 in 1929. Annetta Myszka served as choir director for 23 years beginning in 1945, with regular radio broadcasts of Sunday services beginning in 1951 and ending in 2006.
Denise Beckler was hired as the church pianist in 1989, and the choir had between 20 and 25 members during this period. Contemporary music was woven into worship services beginning in 2001, with drums purchased for the worship team in 2019.
During the pandemic, in addition to livestreaming on YouTube, worship services and the church’s annual Christmas Carol Singalong were held outside under the church breezeway and parking lot. Meetings and Bible studies took place via Zoom.
Other memorable events in the church’s history include 106 years holding the Presbyterian Women’s Colonial Tea from 1909-2015. Youth activities have included summer softball teams, youth mission trips, Christian clubs at Ukiah High, Pomolita and Eagle Peak Middle Schools, and lots of field trips and service activities. “VIP” luncheons for men and women are held for parishioners over 70. Other activities include community Bible study, youth and adult Sunday School and innumerable camp outs, movie nights, picnics, couple’s dinners, coffee hours and prayer ministries.
Locally, the church has helped build homes in Lake County for fire victims. They have supported Spanish-speaking members through worship and AA meetings, which began in 1998 and are still continuing.
The church has supported community members with an “open clothes closet” and a reading assistance and tutoring program at Yokayo School. Support for the less fortunate included outreach with the Buddy Eller Center, collecting canned goods, interfaith lunches for homeless persons and today, church volunteers serve a “no questions asked” breakfast at the Center for Hope on Luce Avenue.
Finally, the church has made it a priority to focus beyond its local borders. Families hosted refugees from Europe and have traveled to Kenya, Mexico, Djibouti, Uganda, Zambia and more.
“The story of Isaiah is the story of our church- grace unrolling, generation after generation. That’s our vision,” Melsness concludes.
