First Presbyterian Church
of Santa Barbara, CA 21 E. Constance Avenue † Santa Barbara, CA 93105Voice: (805)687-0754 † Fax: (805) 687-5421
Old Presby Days For June 22, 2008 to June 21, 2009 Old Presby Days For September 27, 2008 Featuring: III. World War I Era, 1915 to 1924 Our third historical era covers the period of World War I and afterward, 1915 to 1924. In spite of the sacrifice and service of some of the members in the war, several developments occurred in the church during the war. A new church site was purchased on Anapamu Street, one-half block east of State St, to accommodate the burgeoning congregation by building a new sanctuary that would hold 800. On Easter morning, March 31, 1918, the Rev. Warren More, DD, led his congregation in a march from the State Street Church to the new edifice. The other wartime activity was the organization of the Women’s Missionary Society. This dynamic group of women was immediately active, and continues to the present to be a wonderful group to help those in need in our congregation, in the community, and throughout the world. Another local outreach program was organized and staffed to offer a Sunday School in Chinatown. With Dr More’s retirement, the Rev. Clarence Spaulding, DD, was installed in 1919. By 1920 the issues of war had passed and the Santa Barbara community experienced another economic growth and population expansion. A more secure water supply was assured with the completion of Gibralter Dam on the Santa Ynes River and Mission tunnel through the mountains. Women were finally given the right to vote in 1920. “The Roaring Twenties” had some economic problems, but the church continued its growth to a membership of over 1,000 and a Sunday School of over 800. Accordingly, plans were drawn to build a new Christian Education building on the corner of Anacapa and Anapamu streets. Mrs. Grace Wright began serving as Director of Religious Education and continued for two decades. |