First Presbyterian Church

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

Old Presby Days For November 24, 2008
                       
Celebrating 140th Anniversary of First Presbyterian Church, Santa Barbara

Featuring:   IV.   Disasters Strike Era,  1925 to 1940

On June 29, 1925, a strong earthquake struck Santa Barbara causing deaths and injuries and much property damage.  The bell tower, an outstanding feature of the Anapamu Street edifice, crashed through the roof of the sanctuary rendering the building unuseable.  During the following summer months our congregation along with those of the other protestant denominations held worship services in the Alameda Parks.  By late August our congregation returned to meet in the social hall at the rear of the rebuilding sanctuary.  These repairs proceeded quickly under the chairmanship of William Porter, so the sanctuary was rededicated in January 1927.  Needless to say the plans for and funds saved for a new Christian Education building were absorbed by the earthquake repairs.

This fourth era was marked by a second disaster, this time in the form of the Great Depression. 
Starting with the Stock Market Crash in 1929 and then the Banking Holiday in 1932, the country and many members had more than a decade of economic hardship and suffering.  Unemployment soared to 25% of the workforce.

This was a difficult time for the church as well, with the costs of repairing the earthquake damage and the reduced giving by the members, the services of the church to its members and others in need in the community were greater.  Dr. Clarence Spaulding resigned in August 1931 due to ill health.  He was followed by Rev. Robert McLean, DD, in April, 1932.  A new effort was started in 1931 for young mothers called the Triple S Club that proved to be a wonderful support for those involved and for the Sunday School.  The Triple S stood for Study, Service, and Sociability.

A new program that had widespread success among Presbyterian churches was the formation of Mariners Clubs for married couples, and our first club meeting was in 1937.  The Triple S Club dissolved in 1940 with many women joining the new Mariners Club with their husbands.  These Mariners Clubs grew through the years and divided into age groups – Voyagers, Clippers, and Navigators.

A much loved pastor’s wife, Clara B. McLean, died suddenly and this seemed like a third disaster for many members.  Through generous donations, funds were raised to build a chapel in her honor, which was dedicated on December 15, 1940.  The chapel was graced with three stained glass windows on the themes of “The Prodigal Son”, “The Good Shepherd”, and “House on the Rock and House on the Sand”.  These beautiful windows were done by Rush Taggert of Santa Barbara.  By the way, the old windows were preserved and incorporated into the new buildings at State and Constance.   

The Music programs had always been an outstanding part of the worship and entertainment offerings of the church.  An outstanding organist was hired in 1938; she was Emma Lou O’Brian, who was to continue for more than four decades.  In 1940 we hired an excellent Choir Director, Dr. Walter Buchanan, who also led the choruses at Santa Barbara City College and later at University of California Santa Barbara.