Rev. Walter C. Buckner, who is at present in charge of the First Methodist Church of Pomona, is considered one of the most promising young ministers to come to the Coast in late years; gifted by Nature with unusual powers of personal magnetism and by grace with a heart free from all uncharitableness and narrow criticizing, he has shown how closely affiliated may be the pulpit and the pew; how a Christian may be in the world and not of it. In a comparatively short time he has made remarkable progress in the field of Christianity and his work bids fair to carry him to a prominent place among the humanitarian ministers of today.
Born in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, January 9, 1883, Reverend Buckner received his first Christian teachings in his own home, for his father was a Methodist minister who had charges all over the state of Iowa. After finishing the public schools, the young recruit attended Baker University at Baldwin, Kans., graduating in 1903 with the degree of A.B. For three years following his graduation he followed the mercantile business, and then received his first call. He was ordained a minister in 1906, and in 1907 came to Dinuba, Cal., his first charge. There he organized and built a church, and did this same arduous and important work at Sultana, Cochran and Waukena, Cal.
In 1911, Reverend Buckner was called to Tulare, and for six years bent his efforts toward the upbuilding of a strong church body in that city. He was instrumental in bringing the Chautauqua and Lyceum course there for the first time, and other public welfare work. An eloquent speaker, he gave lectures on community cooperation in church work, one of his hobbies and one of the greatest factors for progress in church work. For three years he was district president of the Fresno district of the Epworth League; and was also chairman on evangelical work in Fresno district. He was president of the Ministerial Association in Tulare County. His unselfish work made him very popular in Tulare and a petition was circulated there and signed by all business men, requesting his services there for another year on account of the fine work he had done in building up the church and in public welfare work. During his work in Tulare a fine modern church edifice was erected.
In the fall of 1917, Reverend Buckner was called to Pomona, and in this broader field he has demonstrated his ability as an organizer and leader of men, due to his unselfish devotion to the cause of true Christianity and his sincerely devout conviction that every man is worthy of redemption. Since taking charge here he has increased the membership of the church materially and has brought it to a splendid financial standing. Five thousand dollars was raised for benevolent purposes by the church during 1918.
While in college, Reverend Buckner was active in athletics, and he is a firm believer in this form of healthy recreation for all classes. Included in his community service program, he will establish a play-ground where baseball, track athletics, clean boxing and other popular sports may be indulged; thus while trying to tell his people what they "shall not" do, he at the same time will tell them what they can do to be healthy and happy citizens. On his church Reverend Buckner will have a revolving electric cross installed, as a beacon of light. His enthusiasm and genial nature make him popular with all audiences and for two seasons he was on the road with the Ellison-White Chautauqua and Lyceum Course.
The marriage of Reverend Buckner, in Berkeley, July 30, 1908, united him with Eva Wright, a native of Pittsburg, Kans., and three children have blessed their union: Theodore J., Gladys and Louise.
Reverend Buckner reestablished the Chautauqua and reorganized the Lyceum Course on its present effective basis in Pomona; he is president of Pomona Valley Methodist Preachers' Meeting; president of the Ministers Union of Pomona; he is on the staff of lecturers of the Parent-Teachers Association; he is vice-president of the Red Cross and director of the local Welfare League; for three years he has been on the staff of instructors of the Epworth League summer work; and is also director of the Spanish-American Institute of Gardena and chairman on committee of admission. While in Tulare, Reverend Buckner became a member of the Masonic order; locally he is a member of the Y. M. C. A. and thus keeps in splendid physical condition for his labors.
History of Pomona Valley, California, with Biographical Sketches
of The Leading Men and Women of the Valley Who Have Been
Identified With Its Growth and Development from the Early Days
to the Present
Published in Los Angeles, Cal., by the Historic Record Company
1920
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 11/14/08, Pages 691-693
Los Angeles County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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