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From the
Church Centennial Book, 1987
When
the California gold rush was in full swing, Methodist pioneers were
among those who flung themselves into the procession. In 1849 Methodist
missionaries were sent to California preaching mainly in the Sacramento
and San Francisco areas. On the footsteps of these first missionaries
were the Methodist circuit rider ministers who traveled by horseback,
horse-drawn cart or buggy.
Around
1877, about ten years prior to the beginning of the Methodist Society in
Paso Robles, the settlers in the area east of Paso Robles got together
and built an adobe church at a place named Estrella. Although there is
no longer a trace of the town of Estrella, the old adobe building of the
Methodist
Episcopal Church
on Airport Road has been restored and is opened annually on Memorial Day
weekend
for a special service.
The
circuit rider ministers preached at this adobe church when they came
through on their travels from Cambria on the west
to La Panza on the east. Some of the Methodists who started the church
in Paso Robles had attended the Estrella church.
An
article in Paso Robles' first newspaper, Paso Robles Leader, by
the editor and proprietor, H.G. Wright, on March 24, 1888, states:
"The formation of a Methodist Society in this place was first begun
in the early part of the year 1887 by the election of a board of seven
trustees: S.W. Fergusson, H.G Wright, R.M. Shackelford, Irving Gordanier,
W.L. Hatch, J.W. Smith, Levi Exline."
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH DURING THE PASTORATE OF
REV. GEORGE CLIFF, 1990-1905
(Photo courtesy of the Pioneer Museum)
The
Methodist Society became incorporated, but didn't have a minister until
September 1887,
when
Rev. George Merrifield was appointed to Paso Robles. The Paso Robles
Leader editor stated, "This appointment, of course, included
the bringing of his wife and child. On the 27th day of the month Rev.
Merrifield arrived at the Central House, and on the following day
started on a still hunt for someone who called himself a Methodist. He
soon found some, but they could not give him a very encouraging outlook
for a future living for himself and family. But, nothing daunted, he
rented a house and settled his family, and said, ' . . .I am going to
stay the year, and maybe some good will come of it.' He commenced
preaching as opportunities afforded. About the first of October there
was some talk of a church."
On
January 6, 1888, a contract for $2,500 was granted to build a church
from plans and specifications previously adopted by the board for a 32'
x 50' building with a 12' x 12' extension in the rear for the choir. The
audience room (30' x 38') and a classroom (10' x 20') were joined with
folding doors which could be opened for special occasions providing a
seating capacity of at least 60 more persons. It was expected that this
building could be built for $2,500, but the addition of a little
here and there brought it up to $3,000.
On
March 18, 1888, ten weeks after the contract was set, a dedication
service was held in the new building. Mr. Wright stated in the Paso
Robles Leader "At an early hour on Sunday morning the church
was opened and shortly after 10 o'clock, the people began to arrive and
by 11 o'clock the church was filled with an intelligent and appreciative
audience."
The
first official members of the church
who joined during
the pastorate of Rev.
George Merrifield
were T.F. Abbey, Sr., Mrs.
E.C. Abbey, Mrs.
Sarah Beckett, Levi Exline,
Mrs. Emma Exline,
Mrs. Della Gruwell, W.L.
Hatch, E.G Sharon,
H.G. Wright, Mrs. H.G
Wright and Miss
Olive M. Wright.
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