A main-line liberal Protestant Church with an outstanding ministry from the pulpit, First Church has been more than a place where its members came to worship and pray.  It was a center of fellowship and learning, of open discussions on current issues and matters of social, political and ecumenical significance. It met the issues of women in the pulpit, and the ordination of homosexuals--not without controversy, heartache and soul-searching--but affirmatively. Its ministers, its officers and members must now affirm the church's identity and mission of the future.

As a long-time member of First Congregational Church, the author has attempted to write a limited history of its ministerial aspects since 1915 which would have some bearing on the church of the 1980s. A second goal was to include input from a random few whose experience in the church was unique and to mention others 'whose lives made a difference. Unfortunately, all those who deserved to be mentioned could not be included here but they will be remembered in the hearts of others in the heart of the city.

Interviews were held with long-time members still active whose lives reflected commitment to their church: Mrs. Wilfred Sidebottom (nee Doris Bradford) member since 1912, whose recollections were exceedingly accurate, direct, and humorous; Mrs. Lyal Ingersoll (nee Anne Zanoni), member since 1927; whose participation began with the young women's groups of the 1920s; Miss Elizabeth Skagerberg, member since 1953 and designated "Life Member" and Mrs. Grace MacDonald and Mrs. Mary Moore, both members since 1950 and both faithful workers in the Sewing Group which since 1928 holds the record for longest continuous service of any intra-church organization.

In addition to these women who deserve a word of thanks, Historian Mary Hutchins and Administrative Assistant Ralph Winchell were also helpful in locating primary data. To them and to other friends and members who have given First Church high priority in their lives, the author extends special appreciation.

Back to History Page
Back to Welcome Page

Doris Bradford,  whose family had come to San Francisco in 1853, was particularly concerned by Dr. Aked's departure.  She was to be married to Wilfred Sidebottom in March of 1916 and arrangements had already been made, with Dr. Aked to perform the ceremony.³  The wedding took place with the minister from Green Street Congregational Church officiating.  As the Baileys had a long affiliation with the Green Street Congregational Church, Doris's father asked Dr. Walker of that church to officiate.  Rev. Walker had the honor of performing the ceremony.

Rev. James Logan Gordon was the next long-term minister to be called. He was an older man, age 62, but in robust health,  and he enjoyed a youthful outlook.  Dr. Gordon left First Church in Washington, D. C. to accept the call to San Francisco, in October 1920. Membership in the church had declined considerably after Dr. Aked's departure and it was apparent that a stimulating ministry was needed. Responding to the need, Dr. Gordon instituted at the Wednesday evening meetings a "Question Drawer" format. Interested persons would write out questions or comments and drop them into a box.  Dr. Gordon would select about ten questions each evening, on subjects that touched on widely differing phases of life.  This arrangement was most successful, filling the church at the midweek service, and was eventually adopted for the Sunday evening service as well. Mrs. Sidebottom recalled that hecklers were often present and the meetings were sometimes disrupted.  There was considerable variety, however, in the evening services.  Guest lecturers, musical programs, and evangelists were scheduled as available.

Dr. Gordon also initiated mid-week classes in applied psychology and a Thursday evening program of music and notion pictures was handled by Ernest H. Dettner, Sr. (Mr. Dettner served the church for many years and the Dettner Printing firm was most cooperative in fulfilling the church's publicity needs. One large room of the church is named for that family.)

At a time when women's role at the church was generally in the Sunday school room or the kitchen, Dr. Gordon invited a young women evangelist, Rheba Crawford, to speak from the pulpit on a Sunday; she also conducted a two week evangelical effort. She had been with the Salvation Army but was forced to leave because of differing opinions.  Dr. Gordon befriended her and two years later, having been ordained a Congregational minister, she was asked to preach at First Church for three months.

This was an interim period after Dr. Gordon's resignation in November 1926 and just before the Rev. Chauncey Hawkins was called from Plymouth Church in Seattle, on August 7, 1927.⁴

Things went well for Dr. Gordon.  Many of the church members were wealthy and well-traveled.  Mr. L. H. Sly, a trustee of the church and proprietor of the Stanford Court Apartments, frequently took long ocean voyages.  Before each trip, he would request that a special service be held on Sunday evening, which closed with everyone singing "God Be With you 'Til We Meet Again"-- after which Dr. Sly would present a hundred dollar bill as a donation.  Dr. and Mrs. Gordon were guests of Mr. Sly on a round-the world trip from December 1922 to July 1923.⁵

Dr. Hawkins tenure at First Church lasted just three years, unfortunately terminated by his death in an auto accident while on vacation in the General Grant National Park.  The church had thrived under Dr. Hawkins almost as successfully as under Dr. Gordon.  Sunday morning congregations averaged about eight hundred and the evening services were attended by about a thousand.  The budget was balanced and the membership happily attended his scholarly lectures.  Church membership was over nine hundred.  In the next three years after his death, however, membership dropped by one-third and pledges from $20,000 to $9,000, reflecting the economic state as well as the tragic loss of a beloved minister.

Back to History Page
Back to Welcome Page

Following Dr. Pierce's resignations in November 1947 and his death in 1948,  the church was more or less in a state of transition until Dr. William F. McCormack began his service as pastor. In his mid-forties,  Dr. McCormack had completed a successful nine-year pastorate at Springfield, Massachusetts where he had achieved increased membership, enlarged and improved the facilities, and pulled them into debt financially.⁶

Dr. William E. McCormack's ten-year ministry at First Church began September 5, 1949, a time when the church was at a very low ebb.  He was sincere and conservative, and possessed of strong leadership capabilities. His uplifting, sermons and enthusiasm brought members together with a firm sense of purpose.  Visitors responded to his engaging personality and warmth. Attendance increased, as did membership and income. Dr. McCormack plunged immediately into a program of growth and restructuring of church organizations,  and embarked on a building renovation that would cost a quarter of a million dollars. He was an able administrator, an excellent organizer, and a source of strong central authority to which the membership, for the most part, was happy to conform.  Worship services, twice on Sundays, were well-ordered and stimulating.  Communion and baptism sacraments were dignified and impressive.  Dr. McCormack could charm a wailing child into silence as he performed a baptism.  His leadership and sense of propriety found favor with the congregation.  The time for morn direct involvement of church members who wanted a louder voice in the affairs of the church was yet to come.

The members developed a strong commitment to First Church, a sure financial base and strength in the various organizations -- particularly the Women's Association with its program of mission, study, and fund-raising. It was a sad parting for many when Dr. McCormack answered a call to serve the First Congregational Church of Pasadena, in 1960.

The next two ministers' impact on First Church far exceeded the length of their pastorates.  Dr. Ernest Heeren came with a more liberal ministry and personal approach.⁷  Whatever difficulties he had with a conservative membership, his new thinking paved the way toward a more liberal stance in the church's future.  Dr. Harold Janes, erudite and deeply spiritual, leaned toward a liberal intellectualism but understood the concern and desires of the conservative element to keep things as they were. His vision was for the then fifty year-old church was for it to become a "Church in the Sky" with the sanctuary on the top floor of a high rise, with small apartments, a health care center, dining area, small theater, gymnasium and parking, levels below. Dr. Janes died suddenly on August 27, 1965, after a severe stroke, but his dream of the future has not been forgotten.⁸

Back to History Page
Back to Welcome Page

The tranquillity of the church was disturbed by the social upheaval that began in the sixties: issues of civil rights, school busing and discrimination; a peace movement,  anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, draft resistance, soul-searching by those seeking conscientious objector status; drug abuse,  the reaction against long hair and casual attire; affirmative action problems concerned with equal employment opportunity; problems of the aging; heartbreaking political campaigns; Watergate; environmentalists seeking to save the forests; the death of Bishop James A. Pike,  the tragic assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy -- for each of whom Jim Brown had a deep personal admiration; and the Jim Jones massacre of 900 in Guiana for whom a city-wide ecumenical service was quickly arraigned by Rev. Brown and Associate Minister Brita Gill.  The service was held at five o'clock on the afternoon following Thanksgiving. Present were numerous clergymen of all faiths and civic leaders, including Mayor George Moscone--who the very next morning was murdered in his office at City Hall, as was Supervisor Harvey Milk.  These horrendous events caused grief and pain which Jim Brown did his best to alleviate.

Easter was his favored season and Jim was especially pleased to be featured in a special article the year before he left, in which he was quoted as saying. "Resurrection is the central event in our faith. It is enormously exciting.  Easter is a time for rejoicing."⁹

During Mr. Brown's pastorate he brought in a young assistant who was instrumental in developing a vital and effective Young Adult Fellowship.  Steve Cochrane was unordained, a student at Pacific School of Religion, but his gentle ministry and a knack for getting others to understand better their relationship with God will be long -remembered. His farewell message to the church, on the eve of departure after three years, expresses succinctly the ministry at First Church at that time:

The love and acceptance, the strong support The Rev. Mr. Brown and the members and friends of this church have given me since the first day I came on the staff have opened me up to tremendous growth and a deepening vision of the work mission of the Christian Church in this age.  My personal and professional growth have come not so much by being "taught" as by being loved,  and for this I thank you and praise God.  My expanding and clarifying vision of the challenge to the Christian Church today has come by working with Mr. Brown, a man of bold action and profound concern for social justice among all people.  My vision of the direction the church needs to take today has also been clarified by struggling with you in our attempt to meet the personal and spiritual needs of the old and young alike in the inner city.

Back to History Page
Back to Welcome Page

Related thus far have been highlights of the pulpit ministry aspects of First Congregational Church from 1915.  Equally important were the economic, organizational, historical  and social aspects which pertain to the changes that have taken place.

Back to History Page
Back to Welcome Page

The cook was most distressed at losing  her job, but the church could not afford the loss.  Determined to provide the members an inexpensive social evening, Mrs. Pierce (the ministers wife) and Mrs. Sidebottom took over the task. Every Tuesday and Wednesday they planned and shopped for the meals, getting discounts wherever they could. They walked to North Beach to buy special dried mushrooms and they found a market on Polk Street that gave them a discount.  The favorite meal was tagliarini served with a lettuce salad, lots of French bread, and a simple dessert.  Two women were hired to work in the kitchen (one was paid $20, the other $10 a week).  Two young men who were out of work washed the dishes and were given the leftover food,  which kept them going from week to week. Under careful management, the women soon eliminated the deficit. After five years of devoting two days a week to this cause, Mrs. Pierce and Mrs. Sidebottom declared it was time to call a halt. Wilfred Sidebottom said. "If you ever go into that kitchen again, you'll got no sympathy from me."  Doris concentrated her efforts in the dining area after that.  Beginning in 1974 hot meals were again available at a cost of fifty cents. This was under a Federal government Title VII program for the elderly,  subsidized through funds administered through Sacramento to the San Francisco Council of Churches, St. Francis Meal Service started serving about two hundred meals a day, Monday through Friday,  gradually increasing to well over three hundred.¹³

Economic consideration was a factor in another development in the latter part of the Depression. In 1937, First Congregational Church invited Temple Methodist Church to come and worship at Post and Mason Streets when the banks foreclosed the mortgage on the Methodist building at Leavenworth and McAllister. The Methodist minister, Rev. Edgar Allen Lowther, and Dr. Pierce were on good terms and the formal plan adopted let the two ministers preach on alternate Sundays as co-Pastors of a federated church.  Proceeds from fund-raising were to be split fifty-fifty.  This attempt at Christian unity did not go smoothly,  however, and was dissolved in 1941.  For one  thing,  the Methodist group said they would have to have a larger share of the funds because they had a quota to be paid to the hierarchy of the Methodist Church. Another disturbing incident involved Rev. Lowther's generous concern in response to a plea from a man being held in a Mexican Jail.  He said he was innocent and needed funds to get out of jail so he could prove his innocence.  The sum of $4,000 was dispatched for this cause.  The Congregationalists were horrified at this unusual expenditure and, besides, they had been alerted to this "pigeon drop con game."  The $4,000 figure, incidentally, was a sum equal to two-thirds of the minister's annual salary.  Congregationalists obviously preferred independent autonomy.¹⁴

Back to History Page
Back to Welcome Page

One organization transcended both Periods of activity, that which emanated from a combination of a Red Cross group in the late 1920s and a sewing circle that helped roll bandages and sew items for patients in the 1940s. The Sewing Group became a strong element in the 1950 reorganization.

The author found it necessary to select an arbitrary few of the many committed workers for inclusion here.

Back to History Page
Back to Welcome Page

Another angel, Mrs. Anne Ingersoll, still an active member of First Church, was in her early twenties when she joined First Church in 1927.  A charter member of the Girls' Club,  she spoke fondly of Mrs. Josephine Sale, who established that group and served for many years as its counselor.  The Girls' Club fulfilled a definite need for young business women,  many of whom started work immediately after high school.  They were trained in public speaking and they learned how to conduct meetings,  arrange programs, and lead discussions.  Each would have full responsibility for an entire meeting,  on a rotating basis. Anne recalls that "Mrs. Sale would compliment us when it was appropriate but she could cove criticism too, always constructive." Mrs. Ingersoll also devoted literally decades of volunteer work to the Salvation Army, Red Cross,  Boy Scouts, March of Dimes and to numerous Senior Citizen centers.  Anne was called often to help at the senior centers but tried to decline now: "We are spoiling them; they should be self-sufficient in their organizations and not seek outside volunteers to plan programs. Anne too remembers Ella Bandeau for her work at First Church and Red Cross work; she and Bandy both worked with the San Francisco Needle-work Guild, Anne representing the California Club.  The busiest women were volunteering their good works to several organizations.¹⁷

Mrs. Grace McDonald , a retired registered nurse as was Ella Bandeau, first worked with the Sewing Group in the early 1940s,  and was interviewed as a current member. Grace chaired the group as did Alice Daly in the 1950s.  Mabel Corey came into the Sewing group from the Methodist Church and until confined in recent months attended faithfully.¹⁸   The group has diminished in numbers to eight: Mrs. McDonald,  Mrs. Carole Hall,  Mrs. Alice Martin (all in their eighties), Mrs. Elean Thomas, Mrs. Marcia Dexter, Mrs. Patti Wright, Mrs. Gladys Moor and Chair-person Mrs. Mary Moore.  Hundreds of items have been contributed over the years to the Volunteer Service Bureau's Clothes Closet,  the Juvenile Detention Center, Dudley Stone Working Mothers' Group, Friendship House for Indians and migrant workers in other locations.  All their efforts in recent years were devoted to an outreach program.  Prior to that they made a major contribution toward the annual bazaar -- Mary Moore made the first patchwork quilt sold at the bazaar (for the monumental price of $60). Children's clothing is what the women really enjoy sewing.¹⁹   The beautifully made garments were modeled by the little ones at a silver tea at the home of Mrs. LaVerna Brown, the minister's wife.  The children's fashion show then became an annual event and quite a task it was to get a dozen children into and out of three outfits in record time.  Boys and girls alike participated.  Mary Moore is the one who has coordinated the work of the Sewing Group for nearby a decade.²⁰

From a very strong position through the 1950s until the early 1970s,  the Women's Fellowship organization has also declined. Two effective groups,  which were unimaginatively named the Monday Evening Circle and the Afternoon Circle,  have earned great praise as fund-raisers through thrift sales, bake sales, luncheons, dinners, and special events.  Koinonia was the latest group established.  It focuses on personal sharing and study sessions and puts less emphasis on fund-raising,  although its fifteen to eighteen members willingly help on other groups' projects and often sponsor all-church events.  Karen Peters was the initial chairperson and still leads most of the discussion sessions. Miss Elizabeth Skagerberg was Fellowship president when this group went through its planning stage.  Elizabeth and her sister,  Mrs. Esther Ericson,  were designated Life Members of First Church when they moved to Spokane for retirement.  Esther's membership dated from 1928 until her death on November 10,  1982.  The women named in this report exemplify the highest dedication to the mission of the church, and were leaders in spiritual aspects of the church as well as the more practical aspects mentioned here.²¹

Back to History Page
Back to Welcome Page

The second issue concerned the right of ordination without regard to sexual orientation.  A long process of education took place from 1970 to 1972 within the United Church of Christ before the membership at First Congregational Church of San Francisco was confronted with the issue of ordination for homosexuals.  William Johnson,  member of the Community United Church of Christ in San Carlos and a student at the Pacific School of Religion, was the individual whose request for ordination was to be voted upon by delegates of First Congregational Church.  A task force of the United Church of Christ (of which First Church is a member church), made a nationwide study of the question.  At the level of the Northern California Conference, a Committee on Church and Ministry ²² handled the processing of the Johnson request for ordination.  On November 12, 1971, this Committee had unanimously passed the following resolution:

If a candidate for ordination chooses to openly declare his, or her, sexual identity to be homosexual, this should not in itself be considered  a disqualification for ordination,  but rather this should be seen in the light of the candidate's total view of human sexuality and his understanding of the morality of its use.

Opinions were sharply divided.  This was not an unemotional question.  The Golden Gate Association (comprised of Bay Area churches) appointed a task for further study; at the Belvedere-Tiburon Community Church a symposium was held,  attended by medical and psychiatric experts as well as religious, legal, and lay representatives.  April 30, 1972 was set for the delegates to hear Mr. Johnson's paper on his Christian belief and experiences, and to examine his qualifications.  But two weeks earlier,  April 16, interested persons were invited to the First Congregational Church for a less formal discussion and questioning of Bill Johnson.  Rev. Don Stuart, Night Minister of San Francisco, attended that session (as did your author).  After several questions on Johnson's personal life,  Don Stuart said: "I recall the interrogation I went through before I was ordained.  They asked me a lot of questions on theology but nobody seemed to care about my sex life."

The April 30 interrogation would be held before the "Ecclesiastical Council of the Golden Gate Association." First Congregational Church was entitled to six delegates and the minister, Mr. Brown, at the formal interrogation.  In the meantime,  on April 24, 1972, Mr. Brown wrote a letter 23 to church members and delegates enclosing, for their edification, his personal statement ²⁴ expressing support for Johnson's "integrity and in his exceptional qualifications and gifts for the Christian ministry." Also Mr. Brown invited to his home 14 members of his congregation, known opponents and proponents of the issue.

Members of First Congregational Church voted 7 to 1 for ordination of Bill Johnson when the Ecclesiastical Council convened on April 30.  The total vote was 62-34 for ordination.

Strong voices were still heard on both sides of the issue.  Stuart P. Gould, a vocal opponent, got 30 members to sign a call for a special meeting of the membership because he felt the 7 to 1 vote was "a gross misrepresentation of the sentiment of our church."  He circulated a separate sheet titled,  "Let The Voices of the Members Be Heard."²⁵   Special meeting was held June 5,  1972, chaired by Mrs. Ruth Hoy, Moderator of the church.  Rev. Lester Kinsolving, Religion writer for the San Francisco Examiner, was present.  Care was taken to assure that only bona fide members of' First Church cast a vote.  The Resolution:  "Resolved that a homosexual individual is psychologically unfitted for ordination into the ministry of the United Church of Christ," was defeated 68-62.

The rift between opponents and supporters on this issue was further deepened by Dr. Gail Cleland's removing his Sunday-school Class to the YMCA and a termination of his participation at First Church.  (Dr. Cleland had been assistant pastor of the church, then retired, and was declared Minister Emeritus.)²⁶

The church was a stronger institution as a result of having followed on this controversial matter.  In the years that followed the homosexual ordination issue, First Church sponsored many events of political, civic, social or ecumenical significance.  Guest speakers at various times have included: Rabbi Saul E. White and Rev. Lynn Hodges, San Francisco Council of Churches; Rev. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, U. S. Senator Mark Hatfield, and Rev. Dr. Robert Moss, national President of the United Church of Christ; Mayor Diane Feinstein; Rev. Donald Stuart, Night Minister of San Francisco for 13 years; Joan Baez,  Amnesty International; Rev. Ben Chaves of the Wilmington Ten; Dr. Howard Thurman; Dr. Rushdi Fadila and Dr. Rachel Rosenzweig of  Israel, who spoke on mutual problems of Arab/lsraelis and Israeli-Jews; Belva Davis, television news commentator, after her visit to China; and Dr. Dodio Donnelly, author and National President for the Coalition of Catholic Nuns.

Back to History Page
Back to Welcome Page

Members of this church affirm that for each individual there is a purpose and meaning to life given by God in Jesus Christ; that a need exists for the Word of God to be spoken in the inner city of San Francisco; and that this church shall be a place where one may grow in faith and where the foundation in faith shall be preserved for those who follow.

Back to History Page
Back to Welcome Page