First Presbyterian Church

Old Presby Days For June 22, 2008 to June 21, 2009

Old Presby Days For August 23, 2008

Celebrating 140th Anniversary of First Presbyterian Church, Santa Barbara

Featuring:   II.  Boom or Bust Era,  1891 to 1914

This second era is titled “Boom or Bust” because economic conditions in our community and in the nation in general were very unsettled.  There were great fortunes being made and there were bankruptcies, scandals, swindles, and disasters.  We experienced droughts, floods, freezes, and pestilence.  This land of great promise didn’t always produce as expected, or sales to the northeastern part of the U S didn’t return much to the local producer.  Excitement was heightened when oil was discovered in Summerland in 1895.  This is when the automobile was introduced and airplanes appeared very promising.

But, in the midst of this unrest, the Presbyterian Church was the “safe haven during the storm”, ministering to the congregations needs and growing families.  Under the leadership of Rev. Augustus Carrier, DD, the membership grew.  The new Presbytery of Santa Barbara was formed on Dec 1, 1896, with First Church a charter member.  In 1900, Dr Carrier retired to an emeritus status, and on Jun 15, 1901, the Rev. Warren More, DD, was called. 

During this era Santa Barbara became a vacation destination for the wealthy, using the railroad as the means of travel.  Hotels, resorts, hot springs, and health facilities mushroomed as did large estates.  Agriculture expanded to develop into a major production area for lemons, walnuts. almonds, olives, lima beans, and tomatoes.  Toward the end of this era, the increasing population made the State Street Church unable to handle the over 550 members, in spite of some remodeling, so the officers began searching for a new site.  But the gathering war clouds and economic unrest slowed this effort.