Alameda County, Oakland, California
The Second Congregational Church of Oakland, 1868
The Second Congregational Church of Oakland, 1868 -- This church was, organized on the 31rst May, 1868, in the West Oakland School House. Previous to this organization a Sabbath-school had been held for some time in the school house, and a "Religious Society" had been formed, and preaching services had been, conducted by Prof. Martin Kellogg, of the College of California. J. A. Folger, O. P. Treusdell, C. C. Fisher, H. G. McLean, and Dr. D. P. Fonda were the trustees of this-religious society. On the loth of May, 1868, this society was dissolved, and in its place the "Second Congregational Religious Society of Oakland" was formed, of which the same persons were elected Trustees. Soon after this measures were taken for purchasing a lot and building a church at the corner of Goss and Wood Streets. The church building and furnishing cost about two thousand dollars. It was dedicated in August, 1868. In 1874 another lot on Chase Street, the one now occupied by the church, was secured. The following year the old building was removed to the rear of this lot, and fitted up for a lecture-room; and a neat and commodious church edifice was erected at a cost for building and furniture of eleven thousand dollars. It was dedicated December 26, 1875. In November, 1882, there was a remaining indebtedness of three thonsand dollars on the property, which indebtedness was at that time entirely covered by reliable subscriptions to be paid within one year from that date.
The church at its organization was composed of nine members. The entire number received into the church is two hundred and ten. The present membership is about ninety.
The Rev. Eli Corwin, the first pastor, entered on his duties in November, 1868, and resigned in December, 1869. After him the following persons have successively ministered to the church: Rev. D. B. Gray, from January, 1870, to October, 1873; Rev. C. H. Pope, from May, 1874, to January, 1877; Rev. W. L. Jones, from April, 1877, to July, 1878; Rev. J. T. Wills, from July, 1878, to July, 1880; Rev. John Kitmball, from October, 1880, to June 1882. The present pastor, Rev. Walter Frear, began his services with the church August 1, 1882.
The present deacons of the church are: L. P. Collins, T. Hoag, and J. Jewett The Trustees are: George E. Bugbee, J. Hoag, F. C. Marston, M. B. Smith, and L. P. Collins. The Sabbath-school, of which E. E. Walcott is Superintendent, has a membership of two hundred and fifty.
Alameda County, California,
Including Its
Geology, Topography, Soil and Productions
Oakland.: M.W. Wood Publisher, 1883
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, November, 2007 Pages 729-730
Archive Church Records ~ Archive Index
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