Santa Barbara County History Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to their own work. Source: A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California by Yda Addis Storke Published in 1891 in Chicago by the Lewis Publishing Co. CHURCHES. With the advent of Americans, other than Catholic churches were speedily organized in the county. As early as 1854, Rev. Adam Bland, Presiding Elder of the Los Angeles Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held services here, and thus this denomination may he called really the pioneer of Protestantism in this county, although not the first to organize. The circumstances were adverse to organization up to 1868, when the Rev. R. R. Dunlap was appointed to the charge of the community embracing Santa Barbara, La Patera, Montecito, Carpenteria and San Buenaventura, although there was no organized society in any of these places. In 1868, Rev. P. Y. Cool was appointed to the service, and succeeded in organizing a church with eighteen members, and building a parsonage and chapel. The first worship was conducted in the court-house, then called the Egerea House. The native population were much opposed to having Protestant service in the town, but offered no violence, although resorting to annoying disturbances, such as causing the squealing of hogs and the howling of dogs to interrupt the service. The public schoolhouse also was at one time used for holding service. On July 17, 1869, the contract was let for a new brick church which cost $5,824.75, which was dedicated December 5, 1869. At the end of Mr. Cool's three-year pastorate, there were sixty-one members and parishioners. When the present incumbent, E. W. Caswell, was appointed, September, 1888, the charge numbered 210 members and parishioners, with an average attendance of 128 Sunday-school scholars. The Parochial Church (Catholic) of Santa Barbara was built in 1853 by the Franciscans. In 1855 Bishop J. Amat arrived and took possession. In 1865 the church was burned, and rebuilding was begun in 1866. The first pastor was V. R. B. Rajo, who remained in charge only ten months, being succeeded by Rev. F. Torrentian, who was in 1887, in his turn, succeeded by V. R. F. James Vila, the present incumbent, who has the entire charge, wholly independent of the mission, the friars having nothing to do with the administration of the parish. Father Vila is assisted by Father M. G. G. B. F. Cesari. Trinity Church.� In March, 1867, Rev. T. G. Williams having been sent to Santa Barbara by the bishop, a meeting of Episcopalians was held, a board of trustees elected, and a church incorporated under the name of " Trinity." Services were held regularly in the old brick school house until Christmas-day, 1869, when, a brick church having been built, the first Protestant place of worship in the county was opened. The interior of the church at that time was unfinished. This church was used continuously up to 1887. late in 1886, in anticipation of the speedy arrival of the railroad, and the consequent probable great increase of the congregation, movements were taken to secure larger quarters. Wm. R. Broome donated a valuable lot, and a handsome building was thereupon erected. Although the edifice was not yet complete, on Easter Sunday, 1888, Rev. Dr. John Bakewell held the first service therein, to a congregation of over 500 persons; and on July 29, Rt. Rev. Bishop Kip, assisted by the Dean of the diocere?, formally opened the new church, under the old name of " Trinity." This church has now (October, 1890) been without a pastor since August. St. Marys Episcopal Church was organized in the spring of 1876, with Rev. Robert Scott as pastor. A suitable edifice was built, but it was sold to the Baptist congregation when St. Mark's re-united with Trinity Church, from which it was an offshoot. The Congregational Church had services here as early as 1866, when Rev. J. A. Johnson preached his first sermon in the courthouse. At the close of the service, a resolution was adopted, asking him to remain in the town and organize a church society, which he did. In 1867 a permanent society was organized. Mr. Johnson's ministry closed in 1869. In 1870 a new brick church was dedicated, built at a cost of $9,000 on a lot donated for the purpose. The present pastor, Rev. C. T. Weitzel. was installed in 1887. The Presbyterian Church was organized in June, 1869, under Rev. Thomas Frazer, with an enrollment of nineteen members, many being ex-members of the congregation organized by Mr. Johnson. Rev. H. H. Dubbins was the first pastor, and the next. Dr. Phelps, who increased the congregation to nearly 100. In 1874 was built a church costing $15,000. The present pastor is A. H. Carrier. The Baptist Church was organized in 1874. The first pastor was H. I. Parker. In 1875 this congregation purchased the old Presbyterian chapel, and in 1882 St. Mark's (an offshoot from Trinity), which is still their place of worship. Rev. Alex. Grant is the present pastor. The Unitarian Church was organized about 1880. The present place of worship is a chapel on State street, near which is building a handsome new stone chapel for this denomination at a cost of $28,000. Rev. Philip S. Thacher is pastor. The Christian Church was organized here in 1888. Rev. T. D. Garvin is pastor. Service is held in the old Trinity chapel. The Holiness Church was organized in 1884. The pastor is J. A. Foster. The Faith Mission was established in 1884. Mrs. E. J. Scudder is pastor. In 1889 a very handsome church was built, at a cost of $16,000. In 1887, the East Santa Barbara Methodist Church was organized, a lot was purchased, and a new church erected, at a cost of $2,100. The Methodist Church, South, was organized in 1889, and a church building is being erected.