Sep 25, 2009 3 min read

California United Methodist Church, 227 Third St., is continuing to celebrate its 150th anniversary with a journey to Jumonville and Homecoming Month. The church announced it would travel to Jumonville at 10 a.m. this Sunday to have its service on the mountaintop. A picnic lunch will follow and later games and the scenery will be enjoyed.

October is Homecoming Month with a former pastor joining the Rev. Thomas Chacko each Sunday to bring the message. They include: Oct. 4, the Rev. James Decker; Oct. 11, the Rev. J.D. Hilliard; Oct. 18, the Rev. George Dran; and Oct. 25, the Rev. Keith Cutshall, who grew up in the church. The services start at 10:45 a.m.

The church also plans to participate in the Cal U homecoming parade on Saturday, Oct. 17, displaying a commemorative banner and giving balloons to children.

The yearlong celebration will wind down on Nov. 22 with the church hosting the bishop and district superintendent. This will be followed by a sit-down dinner in fellowship hall.

The church was organized in 1859 as the First Methodist Episcopal Church of California.

Later that year a 100-foot-by-150-foot lot was purchased at the present site with the building erected and dedicated in 1860 as Kier’s Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal Church of California. In 1884, it became an independent church – no longer part of a circuit. In 1893, the parsonage was erected on Liberty Street, adjacent to the church. In 1905, a pipe organ was installed, the cost donated by Andrew Carnegie.

In 1938, the name was changed to Methodist Church of California.

In 1968, the Methodist, Evangelical and United Brethren Churches merged to become the United Methodist Church. A new parsonage was built in 1972 at Hillcrest Drive.

In 1980, California United Methodist sponsored a Vietnamese boat family along with other churches in town. In 1985, the Care and Share Shop opened and continues today. The shop is open every Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and also the first and last Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Gently used clothing and household items are sold at reasonable prices. The church celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1985 with four former pastors returning.

In 2006, Matthew Gaisbacher built a prayer garden on the church lawn as an Eagle Scout project.

A commemorative banner for the anniversary was placed at the front of the church for the entire year of 2009. Pictures are displayed in the foyer and ongoing history facts are reported in the monthly newsletter.

Anniversary activities included a special Easter event with a choir reunion.

In June, The Valley Chordsmen performed a free concert. In August, an outdoor camp meeting was held on the lawn. Chacko conducted the morning service along with Evangelist Roy Gearhart and vocalist Rodger Knoche.

Some people wore period dress and many girls and women wore special occasion bonnets made by MyrtleBelle Matheson.