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Beginning: 1944–47 First, the Chapel Building, 1948–1957 Next, 1958–1967 Later, 1968–1987 Recent, 1988–2005 Milestones |
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The Beginning: 1944 – 1947
;)
In April 1944 the National Missions Committee of San Jose Presbytery recommended
that the Presbyterian Church in the San Jose area should be expanded by
the opening of work in the Willow Glen area. Thus, on the evening of May
5, 1944, the Rev. S. C. Potter, chairman of the National Missions Committee
in the San Francisco Presbytery and Dr. and Mrs. Charles F. Ensign, a retired
Presbyterian minister and his wife living in Willow Glen, met at the home
of the Rev. and Mrs. William C. Spaan, also retired and living in Willow
Glen, for a prayer service - and the Willow Glen Church was born. Dr. Ensign was asked to take charge. He secured the use of the Christian Assembly chapel at 1565 Lincoln Avenue for the first service. On Sunday afternoon, June 4, at 3:00 pm, Dr. Albert H. Saunders, pastor of San Jose First Presbyterian Church, preached the first sermon. Twenty-three persons were present and the offering was $7.50. Services and prayer meetings were continued until August 27.
During the summer the trustees of the San Jose Presbytery investigated property. In October three lots were bought at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Clark Way for $3,125. By October 19, the building fund totaled $13.
The project, however, did not continue without opposition. A petition signed by sixty-six property owners objecting to the erection of a church was filed in the City Clerk's office. Along with the usual arguments that property values would depreciate, and that parking of cars and singing of hymns would disturb sleep on Sunday mornings and nights, one property owner rebelled at the idea of having to watch funerals being held right across the street. The City Council turned down the petition, and the City Planning Commission found nothing in the zoning ordinance that prohibited the construction of a church at the location.
In October of the next year (1945), the Rev. Thomas H. Simpson, then an industrial chaplain in San Francisco, was appointed to the field at a salary of $250 per month. The Board of National Missions agreed to assist with loans provided there existed no segregation stipulation in the vicinity. This was to be a mission church until a congregation of sufficient size could underwrite self support. Plans were made for a meeting on Monday evening, November 5, to which all interested in learning about the new church were invited. To show the church's willingness to cooperate with the community, Rev. Simpson promised that, as long as he should remain, no funeral services would be held at the church nor would there be a bell to disturb the neighbors.
On March 22, 1946, the first prayer meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Esther Brown. On April 7, the first business meeting took place in the Masonic Hall and on April 14 a worship service was held in the St. Francis Episcopal Chapel, 1139 Minnesota Avenue. On April 21 an Easter service was held in the old Willow Glen Theater.
;)
By June 7, the church site had been dedicated, and on June 9 ground was
broken for the first unit, a chapel which was to cost $22,000. The contractor's
office, 10 by 20 feet, built on the property, Mr. Simpson immediately dubbed
"The Carpenter's Shop." Here among the saws, planes, squares and spirit
levels, the first services on the grounds took place September 22. Two weeks
later on October 6, World Wide Communion services were held and on October
27 the chapel cornerstone was laid. (See photos of laying
the cornerstone and building the
chapel) 
On March 2, 1947, Stone Church of Willow Glen was officially organized with seventy-five charter members. The chapel, later designated as the Simpson Memorial Chapel, was dedicated May 25, 1947 and the Rev. T. H. Simpson was installed as the first pastor on November 3. It is noted that the original plans called for Stone Church to have a Lincoln Avenue address, but as the chapel fronted on Clark Way, the U. S. Post Office mandated a Clark Way address. Long before the chapel was completed, it was necessary for the congregation to begin services inside its unfinished walls as attendance far exceeded the capacity of the Carpenter Shop. However, all were reluctant to leave this place to which they had become so attached - for here all had felt the power and the presence of Almighty God. At the completion of the chapel the shop was completely refinished and redecorated; it then served as classroom, nursery, choir room and committee room. When it was necessary to remove it from the grounds, a communion service was held on Sunday, June 26, 1955, with only charter members attending.
The First Building: The Chapel
(See a photo of the Stone Church Congregation in its first year, 1947)
Mr. Simpson from the very first intended to have the chapel follow the traditional form of the missions of California, stone being used both inside and outside.
The very name, Stone Church, savors of its unique quality and style. Every detail was designed to create an atmosphere of worship and a thing of beauty. During the post-war period of 1945-46 materials were rationed; wood was scarce. Because of this, Carmel stone from Soledad was selected for the building. By October 6, 1946, 200 tons of rock were on the grounds. The Carmel stone is said by geologists to be several million years old, belonging to the Miocene period. Imprinted in the many stones of the walls are fossils of prehistoric marine life. A complete form of a fish is to be seen on the inside South-East wall in the Simpson Chapel. Markings resulting from the ink of squid are in the west wall. The first altar was located in the East wall outside above the sign made of wood. Note the hole in this large rock where Mr. Simpson had the candle lit for services. To honor Rev. Simpson's pledge to the neighbors of no bell noise, a simulated bell of wood was placed in the belfry.
Of sentimental interest is a stone high above the fireplace mantlepiece [now in the pastor's office] brought from Blarney Castle in 1921 by Mr. Simpson who was a native of Londonderry, Northern Ireland. On the stone he painted a green shamrock. Engraved on the massive face of the mantel is the Greek word KOINONIA, "Christian fellowship." (See a photo of The Rev. Thomas Simpson preaching in the Chapel, 1947)
The original doors of the chapel were designed by Mr. Simpson. The doors are carved with a traditional design representing the river of living water. The antique wood and huge hinges simulate those of early California missions. The doors have been moved and now are the south entrance to the Social Hall.
The grounds were originally landscaped reminiscent of a Biblical garden, some 56 plants, shrubs and trees mentioned in the Bible being used. They have long since disappeared. [A new landscape plan was initiated in 1995, incorporating many from the original list, plus drought-resistant and native California plants.]
Ten Years of Building: 1948 – 1957
As the church grew, need for expansion was soon felt and plans were made for a second unit consisting of an Auditorium and Church School rooms. This was built during 1949-50. For five years, worship service were held in the Auditorium. With the completion of the Sanctuary in 1955, the Auditorium was reconfigured as a Social Hall. The cornerstone for the Sanctuary was laid on July 10, 1955, to be opened one hundred years later, in July 2055. Dedication was on November 20, 1955. The beauty of the sanctuary is a gift of and a memorial to the master mason, Manel Sunyer, from Catalonia, Spain, who personally laid out and cut each stone of the center sandstone wall that is the focus of the sanctuary. Until his death, Manel sang in the choir every Sunday.
The Celtic cross in the front of the sanctuary, a replica of the one on the Island of Iona, was covered with gold leaf and presented as a gift from the elders and the pastor. The red eternal light was the gift of Rabbi Gitin of Temple Emanu-El, a leading exponent of religious ecumenicalism. Stained glass windows, pulpit, lectern and chairs, altar and communion table, hymnals, pews (many purchased at $10 per lineal foot as gifts), the original electronic organ and many other articles were given as memorials. These are found listed in the Memory Book at the rear of the Nave. [One of the most beautiful of the stained glass windows is hidden away in the Choir Director's Office behind and to the left of the chancel. Originally, this room was the Pastor's Office.]
As the sanctuary was nearing completion, it was suggested that individual members and friends of the church contribute special stones: special in value, unique in shape, color, material or renowned because of association with some place. Among the stones contributed were thunder eggs, jasper, petrified wood, obsidian, a gold nugget from Africa, a piece of King Tut's tomb, a piece of a whale's vertebrae, a rock from the Rock of Gibraltar, stones from the Dead Sea, fragments from the House of Parliament blown off during World War II, pieces from the ancient Wall of China, and an Indian bowl and grinding stone. These can be seen in special arrangements in the Narthex.
With the building of the new sanctuary, the original chapel was subdivided to create a smaller chapel and office space. The cloister connecting the Sanctuary and Social Hall was dedicated to Mrs. Esther Brown, and a bronze plaque honoring her is located in the cloister near the library. It was she who, at a time of crisis when work on the chapel would have stopped for lack of funds, gave a gift of $1000. She was a widow with children and did house work to support herself and her family. After her death, the library was dedicated to Jeannette VanderPloeg, the first church librarian.
The patio between the chapel and sanctuary proved to be a place of fellowship following services and, in 1957, the family of Dr. James Armour Lindsay contributed flagstone from Colorado.
The Second Ten Years: 1958 – 1967
As Stone Church grew and additional staffing became possible (and necessary), the Rev. Robert Stuart Vogt was called to assist Mr. Simpson. He was installed in January 1957 and remained until November 1958. In the fall of 1958 Mr. Simpson became Pastor Emeritus. On October 12, 1960 this man of boundless enthusiasm passed on. His widow continued to live in their house on the opposite side of Clark Way less than one block from the church until a year before her death in 1978. [Bob Bowles purchased the house from Mrs. Simpson's estate and lived there while he was at Stone.]
In April 1959, Dr. William M. Perdue was installed. The Rev. Edward E. Frost was called to be his assistant in January 1962 and served until November 1965, when he accepted a call from First Church, Watsonville. The Rev. Sherwood Cummins was installed as Minister of Christian Education in August 1965; his call was changed to Associate Pastor in June 1966. The Rev. David Beamer was installed as a second Associate Pastor in September 1966.
The Middle Years: 1968 – 1987
In November 1968, Dr. Perdue formally resigned. He left in March 1969, becoming head pastor at First Church, Tiburon. Subsequently, on June 1, 1969, Revs. Beamer and Cummins were installed as Co-Pastors, sharing the pastoral leadership of Stone Church. In 1974, Sherwood Cummins resigned, and David Beamer became Pastor. To assist Rev. Beamer, Robert Bowles was called from First Church, Sunnyvale, as Associate Pastor in December 1975.
A major renovation of the Church School basement rooms was conducted in 1975 using part of the moneys from the sale of three nearby houses owned by the church. The renovation included the creation of a Media Center for the teachers, fluorescent lighting in all rooms and the hallway, and fresh paint and carpeting everywhere. The Kairos Counsling Center was established in October 1978 as one facet of the healing ministry of Stone Church. The Center was created in response to a need for counseling provided by professional therapists who honor the spiritual as well as the emotional/psychological dimensions of lives. Mary Alice Collins, Carolyn Foster and Connie Pearson, Licensed Marriage Family Child Therapists, founded the Center. Carolyn left in 1984 to focus on teaching and writing. Mary Alice and Connie continue to offer counseling on a sliding fee basis for individuals, couples and families.
David Beamer resigned in November 1980. Robert Bowles was called to be Pastor, and was installed in December 1981. It is noted that Bob Bowles was the last minister in the national church to move from Associate Pastor to head Pastor of the same church; procedural rules passed in 1981 have made this impossible.
At the Session retreat in January 1992, it was decided to call a clergy couple rather than the traditional male Assistant or Associate Pastor. Thus, in August 1982, Gene and Joan Huff were called as Assistant Pastors; their positions were upgraded to Associate Pastors in March 1984. The Huffs resigned in November 1985, Gene having been offered a Head Presbyter (administrative) position in Cincinnati, Ohio. To fill the resulting vacancy, the San Jose Presbytery, in March 1986, assigned Betha Hoy as Interim Associate Pastor.
Because of the success of the clergy couple concept at Stone Church, and in particular the rightness of a woman pastor on staff, Stone Church in late 1985 began the long process of searching for another clergy couple. This culminated with the installation of John and Paula Kelso as Associate Pastors in February 1987.
Originally, an electronic organ was used in the Sanctuary. In 1985, Emily Elliot (Kusak) led a campaign to raise money for a new church organ. The pipe organ was dedicated on January 19, 1986; it is a sixteen rank instrument custom-built and installed by Schoenstein and Co., the largest and oldest pipe organ firm in the West, being established in San Francisco in 1877. Over the years, we have been blessed with excellent organists, Joyce Rhodes and Don Foster, who have created wonderful music on this excellent instrument.
The Last Seventeen Years: 1988 – 2005
After two years of hard work, Bob Bowles received a Doctor of Ministry degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1991 and became “the Rev. Dr. Bowles.” Bob Bowles resigned as head Pastor in July 1994, to assume the pastorate at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Aptos. John and Paula Kelso were then designated Interim Pastors to lead Stone Church during the period of time required to find a new head Pastor.
During this time, Stone Church became one of the founding members of Community Inns, the San Jose program to shelter the homeless in churches on a monthly rotation. Each October, beginning in 1993, Stone Church has housed 12 – 15 men.
The Rev. Art Mills was called as head Pastor in January 1996 and installed in February. Because of the rules of the national church, the Kelsos were required to resign after serving as Interim Pastors. In October 1997, the Rev. Rebecca Kuiken was called as Associate Pastor.
In 1996 Stone Church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary and entered its second half–century under the strong and loving leadership of Art Mills. For Stone Church, fifty years brought renewed enthusiasm and the vigor of full maturity.
In January 2005, the Rev. Art Mills accepted a staff position with The Board of Pensions PCUSA with responsibilities for Southern California and Arizona. Two months later, the Rev. Marge Palmer, who had been worshipping at Stone with her husband, Bill, for three years, was named stated supply pastor and head of staff. The church leadership has begun the rather long process of searching for a new lead Pastor and head of staff.
Stone Church completed a $1.35 million renovation of our fifty–year–old facility in March 2005, financed by pledges from our congregation. A beautiful stained glass window is now the centerpiece of the social hall. The nursery has been conveniently relocated next to the sanctuary. The former office space has become Christian Education classrooms. A modern kitchen and ADA–compliant bathrooms complete the renovation of the main building. The offices and library/conference room were moved next door to 1937 Lincoln Avenue.
Milestones
1944
- April - National Missions Committee of San Jose Presbytery recommends opening of work in Willow Glen.
- Apr 18 - First Church and Westminster approve location of Lincoln Ave and Clark Way.
- July 26 - Trustees of Presbytery purchase three lots at cost of $3125.
1945
- Oct 16 - Rev. Thomas H. Simpson, industrial chaplain in San Francisco, appointed to the field.
1946
- March22 - First prayer meeting at home of Mrs. Esther Brown
- April 7 - First business meeting held in Masonic Hall.
- April 14 - First worship hour held at the Episcopal Mission.
- April 21 - First Easter Service held in Willow Glen Theater.
- June 9 - Ground broken for the first unit, a chapel which was to cost $22,000
1947
- March 2 - Stone Church of Willow Glen organized with 75 members.
- May 25 - Chapel dedicated.
- November 3 - Rev. T. H. Simpson installed as first pastor.
1949 -1950
- Second unit, consisting of Church School rooms and a social hall, built.
1955
- July 10 - Cornerstone for Sanctuary laid.
- Nov 20 - Sanctuary dedicated.
1957
- January - Rev. Robert Stuart Vogt called as Assistant Pastor.
1958
- Fall - Thomas Simpson retired due to health problems. (Rev. Simpson died October 12, 1960.)
- Nov - Robert Stuart Vogt resigned.
1959
- April - Dr. William M. Perdue installed as Pastor.
1962
- January - Rev. Edward E. Frost installed as Associate Pastor.
1965
- Oct 1 - Rev. Sherwood Cummins began call as Minister of Christian Education.
- Nov 30 - Ed Frost resigned, accepted call of First Church, Watsonville.
1966
- August 21 - Rev. David Beamer began call as Associate Pastor.
- June - Sherwood Cummins called as Associate Pastor.
1968
- Nov - Dr. Perdue resigned.
1969
- June 1 - Cummins and Beamer installed as Co-Pastors.
1974
- Sherwood Cummins resigned, David Beamer Pastor.
1975
- December - Robert Bowles installed as Associate Pastor.
1978
- October – The ecumenical South Bay Walk for the Hungry (aka the “Crop Walk”) has its first annual walkathon
1979
- October – Stone Church participates in the CROP Walk for the first time.
1980
- November - David Beamer resigned.
1981
- December - Robert Bowles installed as Pastor.
1982
- August - Gene and Joan Huff called as Assistant Pastors.
1984
- March - Gene and Joan Huff installed as Associate Pastors.
1985
- November - Resignation of Gene and Joan Huff.
1986
- January 19 - Dedication of Schoenstein pipe organ.
- March - Betha Hoy assigned by Presbytery as Interim Associate Pastor.
- October - Stone Church raises over $7,000 for CROP Walk, to become local event's largest contributer.
1987
- February - John and Paula Kelso installed as Associate Pastors.
- October - Stone Church raises over $7,000 for CROP Walk, to become local event's largest contributer.
1994
- July - Robert Bowles resigns; John and Paula Kelso named Interim Pastors.
1996
- January - Art Mills called to be Pastor.
- February - Leroy Kromm is named as Director of Music.
1997
- October - Rebecca Kuiken called as Associate Pastor.
- October - Dr. William Perdue, second Pastor of Stone Church, dies.
1998
- November – First Taizé Service held at Stone Church.
2002
- April – former pastor David Beamer visits and is given title of Pastor Emeritus.
2003
- June – Leroy Kromm resigns as Director of Music.
- June thru August – Art Mills on sabbatical.
- July – Capital Campaign to raise funds for Renovation formally begins.
- September – Lucik Aprahamian hired as Director of Music.
- October – Gene Huff, former Associate Pastor of Stone Church, dies.
2004
- May – Groundbreaking Ceremony marks official start of remodeling.
- May – An All–Church mission project is held to benefit InnVision.
2005
- January – Art Mills resigns to take staff position with The Board of Pensions PCUSA.
- March – Marge Palmer named stated supply pastor and head of staff.
- March – Major renovation of facility completed.
- March thru May – Rebecca Kuiken on sabbatical.
- October – Karen (Hagan) Webster becomes first Stone Church member to complete Seminary study and be ordained to the Presbyterian Ministry.