Preface
The Community Presbyterian Church of Cambria was formally established on September 20, 1874. The purpose of this history is to concisely establish the chronology of the pastors who have served CPCC, as well as some of the significant dates and events which together form a chain of milestones of more than twelve decades, shaping its growth and development.
For this church, the future is as bright as its bold, stirring, and memorable past. In addition to its ministerial leaders, any dynamic and vital church consists of a progression of devoted members committed to participating in its service to the glory of God and the betterment of the community. So is it true for CPCC; these dedicated lay persons are too many to name in a history as brief as this one, as is any inclusion of much rich anecdoal material. For any who might undertake such a narrative, it is our hope this might provide a foundation.
History
The First Presbyterian Church of Cambria, known as the Community Church, has the distinction of being the 64th Presbyterian church to organize in California, and the first Presbyterian church in the County of San Luis Obispo. The Community Church also stands out as one of the sixteen churches still in existence in the Synod which are noted as "Fraser Churches". This term has been applied to the Presbyterian churches originally organized by the Reverend Thomas Fraser, Synodical Superintendent of the former Synod of the Pacific, between the years 1868 and 1887. During that period, this energetic man increased the number of Presbyterian churches in the Synod, which at that time included all of the United States west of the continental divide from 57 to 158.
1857 - 1875
Between the years 1857 and 1874, the area around Cambria, which included San Simeon, Santa Rosa Creek Valley and the mountains surrounding it, plus Green Valley and Harmony Valley, was being populated rapidly by pioneering families seeking homestead lands in California. Many of these people, often with children, left well organized communities and churches to establish themselves in a wilderness area completely alien to their previous environment.
In 1865, the Reverend B.F. Music, a Presbyterian minister from Salem, Oregon, left his home and settled in Green Valley. Rev. Music was not well, and because of his ill health, he did not actively conduct regular church services. He, along with James McFerson of the Santa Rosa Creek area, and Mr.J.Q. Buffington of Harmony Valley encouraged the meeting of residents in their respective areas for the purpose of Christian worship and study. With the arrival of the James Taylor family in 1860, the Green Valley people began meeting at the Taylor home as a church group and soon took in all of the people within the three valleys. Later, this group was to begin meeting in Cambria at what was later known as the Minor-Dickie store. Plans for church affiliation gradually developed, and it was decided to officially organize under the Presbyterian Synod of the Pacific.
A request was sent to Rev. Fraser, who arrived in Cambria in September 1874. On the 20th of that month, a church meeting was held in the newly finished Grange Hall of Cambria and was led by Mr. Fraser. After the service a business meeting was held, and the Presbyterian Church was formally organized with nineteen members.
The first pastor of the church was the Reverend R.S. Symington, and shortly after his appointment, plans were laid for the securing of property and for the erection of a place of worship. In that year of organization, 1874, the building began on Bridge Street with materials and labor largely donated. Since no official records of the building process or date of completion were kept at that time, we are grateful for the word of unknown early residents who established the completion date as 1875. The ladies of the church busily raised funds and acquired furnishings for the church school. In May 1875, a Festival of Celebration was held to raise funds for an organ to be used in the Sunday School.
1876 - 1950
Because of distances and road conditions, a special program was instituted to meet spiritual needs, since it was still difficult for many of the farming and ranching families to attend services in town on Sunday. This included the holding of services and meetings in various outlying schools at intervals. For many years during that period, these meetings and church services alternated between Harmony Valley School and the Olmstead School. Descendants of one of these families, the Taylors, remain in our midst.
In June 1876, the Reverend James Woods headed a meeting to incorporate the First Presbyterian Church of Cambria. Through the years, many additions were made to the church buildings including a bell and bell tower. Finally, in 1946, after seventy-two years of receiving mission aid, the church became self-supporting and was able to retire a four hundred dollar mortgage which left all church properties free of encumbrances.
1951 - 1969
November 1959 saw the issuance of a call to the Reverend William H. Clark. Dr. Clark replaced Theodore Allison who had served the congregation since 1952. Dr. Clark served as pastor until March 1964 when another call was issued for his replacement, the Reverend P.A. Castellano. A building committee was soon begun under the chairmanship of Byron "Bing" Boisen, a member of the church since 1942. The congregation was now outgrowing the old Bridge Street facilities; subsequently, they purchased the property at Yorkshire and Burton where the church is now located.
At a congregational meeting on May 14, 1965, the report of a long- range committee was presented. The four page report anticipated the growth and needs of the church calling for a new sanctuary, a fellowship hall, and a Christian education building. The session proceeded to support the building committee and to hire Warren Leopold to work with the committee to prepare architectural plans. In February 1966, Session determined the sanctuary was to be the first building erected. Although the building fund had grown through spontaneous giving, the building finance committee was assigned the task of arranging for loans and conducting a campaign for funds. The official campaign began in March 1966, seeking three year pledges to support the requests for loans from the Board of National Missions. A total of $90,000 had been raised by the sale of the old building and property on Bridge Street to the First Baptist Church of Cambria, plus the loans and gifts and pledges of the members and friends. A decision was made at this time to combine the Board of Trustees and Session.
The construction of the new sanctuary began in June 1967, and the building was ready for occupancy on December 10 of that year. It is evident that planning and processing building plans were much simpler in those days. Many hours of donated and dedicated labor made the work a team effort, and this legacy continues to be the case with the congregation today. Whenever needs are to be met, the call goes out, and willing hands are there to help. One example of this is the application of the stone work that decorates the sanctuary building and the landscaping. Twenty people, working ten hours, applied the stone skirt around the building. The old stone was once a part of an English manor house named Norland Hall and built in the British Isles in 1672 (date is inscribed on two of the stones). William Randolph Hearst purchased the manor, which was dismantled, and the stone was sent to the United States by ship. It is said the stone was in two shipments and that one was lost at sea during a storm. The Hearst family donated the remainder to the church.
On Sunday, March 24,1968, the sanctuary was formally dedicated. In attendance were representatives of the Presbyterian Synod of Southern California, the Presbytery of Santa Barbara, and the Board of National Missions. Greetings from former pastors were heard in person and by letter. Rev. Castellano officiated at the service and the United Presbyterian Wonen's Association provided for a reception.
With the completion of the sanctuary, a new period of growth began for the congregation and its pastors. It might be of interest to note here the importance of gifts and donations made to the ongoing health and continuance of the Community Presbyterian Church in Cambria. The generous gift of the Hearst family has been noted and there were others, as well. Unfortunately many were not recorded.
1970 - 1979
Rev. Castellano oversaw the near completion of the Fellowship Hall before his departure in March 1970. For the next several months, interim ministers served the congregation until the Reverend Michael Jarvis was called as pastor in August 1970. During his tenure, the now familiar "coffee hour" was begun and has continued with few interruptions until today. Pastor Jarvis also carried on a ministry to the "hippies" who still roamed Highway One. By means of a "road pastorate", Rev. Jarvis carried the Word as they moved through our small community. He left our pastorate in 1973. Once again, various interim ministers answered the call. They were of importance in the continuity of the church, serving as best they could to shepherd the congregants through some often difficult times.
In September 1974, the church celebrated it's Centennial, and former pastors and other dignitaries participated with the congregants in a worship service. It was a momentous occasion and a happy one for all to celebrate one hundred years of Christian service in the community of Cambria. In December of that year, a special meeting was called to present and seek approval by the congregation of a joint pastorate with the Reverend Robert Cleath as pastor and the Reverend John Orr as visitation minister. The request was accepted by the Presbytery in January of 1975, and Dr. Cleath became Pastor in February. At the end of 1975, Rev. Orr left, and Dr. Cleath served through March 1976.
The Reverend Henry Haupt was appointed in May 1976, under Book of Order rules, to serve as pastor for at least one year to give the congregation time to find a permanent pastor. This was a period of relative stability and growth to the church. It was in September of that year that the final payment on the church building was made. After almost 102 years of existence, the church was finally mortgage free! A mortgage burning ceremony was held, and the congregation celebrated with a grand turkey dinner served to members, friends, and honored guests.
In October 1976, Rev. Haupt was called as permanent pastor by the congregation and session. The membership was now ninety-seven. It was during this time that Pastor Haupt began publishing the News Letter, which today has become Presbyterian Passages.
1980 - 1989
Four years later, on December 1, 1980, Rev. Haupt announced his retirement. This information was received with deep regret but with gratitude for his service and guidance. In recognition of his dedicated pastorate, the Session voted to award the Reverend Henry Haupt the title of Pastor Emeritus, which was approved by a grateful congregation. Members of the Haupt family continue today as active participants in the life of this church.
For the next three months, the Santa Barbara Presbytery made arrangements for pulpit supply and submitted suggestions pertinent to a selection committee. In March 1981, the Session invited the Reverend Walter Robie to serve as Stated Supply for a period of three months. During this period, Rev. Robie began an active campaign to acquaint himself with the people and needs of the congregation by making many house calls.
Over a period of time, the Session was to extend Pastor Robie's contract three times while the Mission Study required by Presbytery to assess the nature and pastoral needs of the congregation was completed. When this was done, a Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC) was appointed and began its search for a permanent pastor. Rev. Robie had become a very active presence in the church community, calling on congregants regularly and meeting increasing pastoral needs. Finally, during a stated meeting of the Nominating Committee, it was proposed "the most suitable candidate was the Reverend Walter K. Robie". Subsequently, his name was presented and accepted unanimously by the congregation in February, 1982. An installation service was held on May 23 with a reception following.
The life of the church community continued to flourish and grow. As a result of community outreach, membership and stewardship of gifts increased. The average attendance in 1982 was well over one hundred, with that number steadily increasing with the passage of time.
Due to an influx of younger families, the church school expansion was well under way. It soon became apparent there was a need for more space, which resulted in the formation of a building fund to be used for the addition of rooms for use by the church school. In March 1983, a building committee was formed, and in August it was decided by Session that the proposed education building not be an extension of Bird Hall, but rather a separate entity in the area of the Thrift Shop. Plans moved forward along with other new programs in the church. A second service at 9:30 a.m. was begun, intending to meet the needs of younger families.
Construction of the new building began in August 1986, and by early 1987, with a great deal of donated time and labor among the congregants and friends in the community at large, the Christian Education building became a reality. On September 20, 1987, a dedication ceremony was held. The activity and growth of the Thrift Shop contributed greatly through capital funds to the creation of a new C.E. building.
Several parts of the existing campus today are named to commemorate earlier members whose service to the church was especially significant.
The Squibb Library is named for Louise Squibb, who together with her husband, Paul, was an integral part of the life of this church as well as the wider community. Their former home on Burton Drive, now known as the Squibb House, welcomes visitors today as a bed and breakfast inn. Not known to these guests, as well as many in Cambria, is the fact that a garage on their property served for several years as a storage facility for the church's Thrift Shop, even after the Thrift Shop was moved from East Villlage to the church campus.
Our Fellowship Hall is named for Evelyn Bird who, in her retirement, served as church secretary to Rev. Henry Haupt, and in his words, "pretty much ran the day-to-day schedule of the church. One of her loves was the Thrift Shop, and she worked tirelessly in the cleaning and repair of items for sale there. Her Christian devotion and selflessness were one of the inspirations to all who knew her."
The previously mentioned gift of English slate and stone given by the Hearst Corporation enhances several areas of the church campus. It is seen as a stone skirt around the sanctuary building and on walkways leading to several sanctuary entrances. It also was used for the area forming the entrance to Bird Hall which serves a a pleasant meeting place for after-service coffee and fellowhip, and in several walls around the parking lot. Grant Brown, a senior elder at that time, led several volunteers in creating much of this beautiful stone work. He trained Richard Partridge to succeed him in this labor when he was no longer able to complete it. Subsequently, master stone mason Gary Wardell led volunteers in the completion of the barbecue and the sign on the corner of Burton and Yorkshire.
In December 1987, Pastor Robie informed Session of his intention to retire, effective in April of 1988. He had served for seven active and progressive years with the membership and stewardship experiencing substantial growth. At his last congregational meeting, the figures for attendance that year were 158, and an active membership of 192. As had those before him, Walter Robie left his mark upon the life and people of Cambria Community Presbyterian Church, having been "a good and faithful servant". He and Virginia are still active in the life of the church.
The Reverend Katherine Johnson became the new interim pastor in June 1988. Rev. Johnson served with loving care and distinction while the Session prepared the search for a full-time pastor. During her period of service, Pastor Johnson brought increased observance of ecclesiastical polity and administration as stated in the Book of Order and greatly strengthened the spiritual life of the congregants. All departments of the chruch experienced continued growth, as did the membership.
1990 - 2000
The Reverend Brian Boughter was called as our senior pastor in March 1990. One month later, he was diagnosed with a serious illness. He requested the elders and deacons forge ahead and carry on the business of the congregation during his treatment. By the end of that month, he was again serving his church with vigor of purpose and dedication to his calling. In spite of fatigue resulting from radiation treatments, he instituted new programs in fellowship and outreach.
In August 1992, it was announced to Session that Pastor Brian's health indicated that it would be necessary for the elders and deacons to assume duties that would assure the vitality of the church. The congregation was also informed of Pastor Brian's situation, and prayer was continued for him, his family, and the life of his church.
The church leadership, with willing help from the congregation and Presbytery, continued to minister in the community at large. Rev. Boughter took disability leave due to his illness and Presbytery provided continuing pulpit supply. A "Designated Elder of the Week" program came into practice to assure continued administrative leadership. The spirit of love and devotion in their service throughout Pastor Brian's illness brought the congregation into a unified effort. With great sadness at the passing of their young and once vigorous pastor, a memorial service was held to celebrate his life in service to Christ. He loved his work among those in search of the Way, the Truth and the Life. He was laid to rest in Cambria Community Cemetery and his family continues to be active in the life of the church with their presence and active participation. A stone bench in memory of Rev. Boughter is on the north side of the sanctuary.
In June 1993, the elders continued the work of the church as the Reverend Noel Anderson was called as interim pastor, and the PNC began its search for a permanent pastor. After a difficult six months without their pastor, the church was in need of strong leadership. Rev. Anderson began immediately to bring a sense of healing and progress to the congregation. The Elder of the Week program continued on a reduced scale, and all areas of church life began to move forward once again.
The Reverend James Stewart Evans was called as pastor in March 1995. He brought with him a spirit of renewal and the energy of youth as he shared his goal of a prayerful, biblically literate, and evangelical congregation. In his ministry in Cambria, there was a broad outreach; his enthusiasm and energy were widely felt among people as he shared with them his vision for the witness of the church in the community.
(The formal writing of our church's pastoral history ends here. As continued work is completed in this ongoing effort, it will be added.)
The Community Presbyterian Church of Cambria moves ahead into the future with continued gratitude for the opportunity to be of service to the entire community. In the school year 1996/1997, an outreach to the community was created for school children of families with working mothers or for those who wished additional help for their youngsters. Volunteers from our church and the community help the children in grades one trhough five. The Learning Center has been a very successful program ministering to children in a safe, nurturing atmosphere. Each year the number served has grown and continues to be met with gratitude and enthusiasm by the parents of the children.
New buildings have been erected on our campus, with special emphasis on youth. The vision of an offering of a Christian pre-school has become a reality.
Today, over one hundred and thirty years after being founded, the Community Presbyterian Church of Cambria plays a major role in the life of the community. The outreach of this church extends beyond our CPCC campus - to foreign and domestic mission fields as well as to local activities - but always with one objective, to honor Jesus Christ.
This history was compiled in 2000 by the following committee:
Fred Sommers, chairman
Sandy Ehlers
Mollie Keister
Wes Keister
Shirley Partridge
Ed Pierce
PASTORS
| R.S. Symington | 1874-1875 | C.S. Knott | 1922- |
| James Wood | 1875-1876 | A.D. Swogger | -1925 |
| C.G. Belknap | 1876 | A.M. Prewitt | 1925-1929 |
| A. Fairburn | 1877 | Thomas A. Mitchell | 1929-1934 |
| J.A. McMillan | 1877-1878 | Archibald R. Crouch | 1934-1935 |
| W.F. Wenk | 1881-1882 | John W. White | 1936-1937 |
| H.V. Rice | 1882 | J.J.Jones | 1938-1943 |
| D.W. McFee | 1883 | Peter Koopman | 1943-1944 |
| M.L. Whitmore | 1883 | John R. Becker | 1944-1947 |
| F.S. Thomas | 1884 | Kenneth J.Scott | 1947-1952 |
| S. Slocomb | 1885 | W. Theodore Allison | 1952-1959 |
| A. Inwood | 1885 | William H. Clark | 1959-1964 |
| J.E. Leach | 1886 | G.A. Kaltenbach | 1964 (interim) |
| F.M. Warrington | 1887 | P.A. Castellano | 1964-1970 |
| W. Askins | 1889 | Michael Jarvis | 1970-1973 |
| R.S. Symington | 1890-1893 | Ed Girod | 1973-1975 |
| Henry C. Thomson | 1893-1898 | R.L. Cleath | 1975-1976 |
| J. Henry Chase | 1899-1908 | Henry Haupt | 1976-1981 |
| W.S. Pryse | 1909-1911 | Walter Robie | 1982-1988 |
| Winfield C. Scott | 1911-1912 | Kathryn Johnson | 1988-1990 (interim) |
| A.W. Williams | 1913-1916 | Brian Boughter | 1990-1992 |
| J.J. Bostick | 1916-1920 | Noel Anderson | 1993-1995 (interim) |
| W. Baldwin | 1920- | James S. Evans | 1995- |