The History Project

Background:

In the late 1960’s, a project was undertaken by church members to write a record of the first hundred years of our church. A book was published in 1969 entitled Landmark of a Century which gave its readers an idea of the work and sacrifices made by those members that had gone before us.

The First Quarterly Conference met on May 12, 1869 at the home of the Reverend Mr. G. W. B. McDonald, and at that time the First Methodist Episcopal Church of San Diego was organized with Adam Bland, Presiding Elder, as Chairman.¹

At the present time, three members of the Memorials Committee are interviewing and gathering stories concerning people who made contributions in the life of the church during the past 40 years, and before.

In a real sense, a church is not a building or other structures. But, rather, it is people, serving the Lord and presenting a witness in the community for God and His work. During this summer, we hope to display some of these stories on our church web site.

At some future time, perhaps, with greater resources, our modest attempts at preserving our history might be polished and enclosed in covers that are fitting to the faithfulness of the lives described. In the meanwhile, we will proceed with our task and welcome your comments.

In full awareness that we are deeply indebted to those who have gone before us, as well as those who walk and worship beside us today, we share with you the recollections, comments and stories of our brothers and sisters of First Church.

The Memorials Committee
First United Methodist Church
July 2005

Read the interviews …

¹ Violet E. Knudtson, Landmark of a Century, San Diego: Arts and Crafts Press, 1969