Happy 43rd Wedding Anniversary Alan and Suzanne

First Methodist Church of Hollywood,

Hollywood, California

The First Methodist Church of Hollywood (now called Hollywood United Methodist Church)  at 6817 Franklin Ave. is just north of Hollywood Boulevard and Grauman's Chinese Theater. It is also on the corner with North Highland Boulevard which was in the opening scene of "The Godfather". To the west of the main church (the door entrance can be seen on the left end of the photo above) is a smaller Chapel and parlor.  Between the two is a patio lined with 10 foot high poinsettia plants that have been donated over the years.  The formal Chapel and large parlor has many Spanish architectural features and much heavy dark wood.

"The vision for Hollywood United Methodist Church as "a sanctuary of hope" began back in 1909 when the first congregants started to organize. Eventually with an ever-expanding business community and a growing congregation, a bold step was undertaken to purchase a lot on the corner of Highland and Franklin Avenues at the base of the Hollywood Hills, and to build a new home.

"Construction began in 1927, with the Recreational Building built first to house the congregation's worship services, after which the Sanctuary and Education Building would be constructed. A series of set backs challenged the congregation during construction, including the discovery of soft, unstable ground on the site for the Sanctuary. Monstrous holes were dug by workers who labored 65-feet below ground. To stabilize the footing and foundation, massive pits and wells were filled with enough concrete to equal 15 railroad freight cars.

"The congregation's faith and perseverance was finally rewarded on March 16, 1930. The majestic building was unveiled to enthusiastic acclaim, launching its distinguished reign as a Hollywood landmark. An historic postcard describes the church building as "...one of the most famous churches on the Pacific coast," with an atmosphere of "...reverence in symbolic beauty and compelling stillness."In December 1981 the church was declared Historic-Cultural Monument #248 by the City of Los Angeles."(See Link 1.)

 The Vancouver Sun

      Saturday, February 9, 2008

      Arts and Life, Section E

      Weekend Mix

       ‘Wedding Plans and Memories’

Suzanne Wilson

My husband of 40 years and I were eating breakfast and reading the weekend Sun and National Post  at The 80’s Restaurant in North Vancouver when the phrase “caught the bride’s bouquet” “caught” my eye. 

Yes, “I still remember when ‘we’ got married like it was yesterday”.  I especially remember throwing my bouquet.  And I most certainly remember “who caught it”.



Alan and I were married in the chapel of the First Methodist Church of Hollywood December 1, 1967.  The reception followed in the church parlor across the hall.  When it was time to throw the bouquet I climbed the beautiful Spanish tile staircase.  I turned around and I threw the flowers over my head. The bouquet flew. I looked to see who would catch it. My friend’s faces turned upward, arms raised in anticipation, and then they stopped. There was the bouquet, “caught” by the six sided chandelier that lit up the hall. 



A pole to open high church windows was fetched and the bouquet tumbled from the chandelier and was “caught” by a good friend and neighbor.  It did its magic.  She was married the following summer at Knott’s Berry Farms.  She threw her bouquet from a staircase on a fake exterior facade.  There was no chandelier, only a young girl to “catch” it.

Photo: Top photo of First Methodist Church of  Hollywood, thank you to cardcow.com

Link: http://www.hollywoodumc.org/History-Hollywood-United-Methodist-Church.aspx

Sunday Church Feature
Community United Methodist Church
Leavenworth, Washington

The  Community United Methodist Church at 418 Evans Street sits two blocks north of the Gazebo in the center square of the Bavarian style town of Leavenworth, Washington. It has been there for over 100 years.

"1907: Rev. Melvin Rumohr arrived on Memorial Day to organize a
                        Methodist church in Leavenworth.
             First service held a few weeks later with 20 people received
                        into membership.
           Sunday School began two months before his arrival, with five teachers
                       and nearly 40  children  attending.
           Annual conference held in September. Church incorporated as
                       First Methodist Episcopal  Church of Leavenworth, WA.
           Land purchased as building site for a church. Rev. Rumohr bought
                      adjacent lots and built a home for his family.
1908: Methodist Episcopal Ladies Aid Society organized.
          Choir organized by Mrs. Martel, a fine organist.
          Church built, at Evans and Whitman Streets. First services held Dec. 9.
1909: Church dedicated June 10, one of three Methodist churches in the
                     valley dedicated that day.  Others in Peshastin and Cashmere.
          Organ purchased. Bell installed in the belfry.
1912: Parsonage built.
1929: First women pastors appointed: Bertha Reich and Winifred Dove.
1946-49: Four lots purchased at Evans and Summit Streets for new, larger
                    church. Existing house on the land became the new parsonage.
         Church construction took three years; Rev. Rumohr was on the
                    building committee.
1949: First services held in new church on Easter Sunday. Rev. LaVern E.
                    Tooley was pastor; he built altar, pulpit and lectern.
1950: "Art" window installed in the sanctuary.
1954: New church dedicated, after mortgage was paid off (required before a
                    building can be dedicated).
1959: Golden Jubilee of the church celebrated (50 years after dedication of
                   first church). Rev. Rumohr participated.
1969: New parsonage purchased.
1986: Church exterior stuccoed.
1997: Celebrated 50th anniversary of laying the cornerstone of present church building.
2006: Lift installed for handicap access.
2007: Celebration of Centennial Year." (See Link.) 

Thank you: To Jane, church historian, for reference to history of Community United Methodist Church.
Photo: Taken in November 2010 by SW.

For more information on Leavenworth, Washington see these Blog Posts:
        Saturday Travel Feature, "The Gazebo", November 6, 2010.      
        Sunday Church Feature, "St. Joseph's Catholic Church", November 7, 2010.
       Satuday Travel Feature, "FestHalle", November 13, 2010.

Sunday Church Feature
Rockford United Methodist  (Episcopal) Church
Rockford, Washington


At 217 So. 1st Street in the center of Rockford, Washington and across from the Pump House, a Methodist Church has sat since 1879.  Today called the Rockford United Methodist Church the church building in the photo above is the third church built on the site. 

The church congregation originally met in the home of Mrs. Charles Farnsworth.  The first church building was to be built in 1880 as a gift from the Farnsworth Lumber Company. This first Rockford Church building was very small and primitive with hand hewed slabs for pews.  It was torn down in 1883 and a larger church built on the same site in 1884. (See photo below.)

The 1884 Rockford United Methodist (Episcopal) Church

Note: The parsonage is on the left and the Rockford School in the background.

"The sanctuary Rostrum was carpeted with "Red Ingrain" carpeting...  The room was  heated with  a large wood burning heater near the back of the room. There were two aisles going from the back to the Rostrum,  with one wide tier of pews from back to front, and a narrow tier on either side which were fastened to the sides of the structure walls.   There was room at the side of the Altar for the Choir to sit and room for a nice organ of the foot pump variety. (Marie Pratt Lee Reference.)

"When  the Armistice was signed in 1918, the church bells were rung all over the land.  It had been thought that our bell had been rung  too vigorously, which weakened the tower and the roof structure, which the heavy snow of 1922 proved its undoing and it had to be torn down." (See Reference Marie Pratt Lee.) In 1922 this building was condemned and torn down.   The present church, the one in the top photo, was built in 1923.  During the demolition and new construction the congregation met in the Presbyterian Church.

The present minister Rev. David Lura is also the past minister.  Rev. David Lura served the congregation of the Rockford United Methodist Church 1980 to 1984.  Then he was called to serve "on the other side of the mountains".  This September, 2010, in his retirement, he has again become the minister of the Rockford United Methodist Church. 

The Rockford Community Methodist Church is also presently used as for performances. "August 21st 7pm--Free Piano Concert by recording artist John Nilsen @ Rockford United Methodist Church" (See Link 2.) 

Note: For more about Rockford, Washington see blog post September 25, 2010, Saturday Travel Feature, 1916 Pump House, Rockford, Washington.

Thank you: To Rev. David Lura and Ester Hemken for information regarding the Rockford United Methodist Church. To Paul Gillespie for e mailing the reference information and the photo from the Rockford Museum collection.

Demolitions: Of the approximately 1880 church in 1983.
                 Of the 1984 church in 1922.
Photos: Top photo taken in 2007 by SW. 
                 Bottom photo from the Rockford Museum collection.

References:  Historical Sketch of Rockford United Methodist (Episcopal) Church, 1879-1979, One Hundred Years of Methodism in Rockford, Washington.  Historical Sketch from the Dedication Bulletin, the Rockford Methodist Episcopal Church, November, 1923, by Marie Pratt Lee.

Link 1:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockford,_Washington
Link 2:http://rockford-wa.blogspot.com/

Sunday Church Feature

Manito United Methodist Church

Spokane, Washington

The 1999 church booklet "Manito Memories" reports that the original  Manito Methodist Church was chartered in 1909 and a building designed by Kirtland Cutter built across the street from the existing parking lot in 1911.  The present building at 3220 S. Grand Blvd. was also designed by Kirtland Cutter. Construction was started in 1923 and the building was dedicated in 1924. The tower of the building was modeled after the Basilica of San Francisco in Assisi, Italy. (See Note.)  


"After the building was completed in 1924, the Spokesman-Review article described the church as..."The main auditorium seats 300 the gallery 125. On the same floor are the Epworth League room, a prayer room and the pastor's study.  On the street level floor are a ladies community room, a community hall seating 100, a dining room seating 100, and an electric kitchen.  The community hall will be a valuable for general purposes at any time.  The gymnasium is two stories high, extending from a sub basement through the ceiling of the street floor.  It will have a basketball and handball courts with shower baths, barber shop and toilet facilities for both men and women."(Link 3.)


The tower of the building was modeled after the Basilica of San Francisco in Assisi, Italy.  The sanctuary can hold a congregation of 250 and there is also a small chapel for intimate weddings and memorial services. (See Note.)

"After World War II, the South Hill area, like the rest of the nation, experienced a baby boom and the church was bursting at the seams.  Plans were drawn up for a three story educational wing addition that would contain classrooms, a chapel, bride's room, offices and library.   A new sanctuary was also part of the plan.  The educational wing cost $275,000 so the new sanctuary building was postponed.  The new wing was consecrated on January 17, 1960.  The new sanctuary was never built, which leads to a challenge since the two buildings don't line up well.  As a result, there are many steps to move from one level to another. " (Link 3.)

In 1968 the church became Manito United Methodist Church.  Today approximately 100 worshipers attend the Sunday service.  (*See Note.)


"Kirtland Kelsey Cutter was primarily a Spokane architect with a significant practice in Spokane, Seattle, and Southern California, as well as commissions as far away as England. Of Spokane’s many prolific and successful architects, he is the best known to the general public today. Spokane is where he first made his reputation, his buildings giving clues about the “economy, power structure, social life, and changing fortunes” of the growing city ... Cutter’s career spanned 50 years, from 1889 to his death in 1939. His legacy of large-scale houses and public buildings still standing in Spokane, Seattle, Southern California, and elsewhere is varied and impressive.

"With the encouragement of his uncle, Horace Cutter, a Spokane banker, Kirtland Cutter came to the fledgling city in 1886 and decided to practice architecture rather than to pursue a career in art. Initially Cutter supplemented his income from architecture by working as a teller in his uncle’s bank. His first residential designs were for his uncle and for his own house, “Chalet Hohenstein,” in 1887. On the basalt-strewn South Hill overlooking downtown Spokane, both were in a somewhat Swiss style. He received two important commissions in 1889, probably through his uncle’s banking connections. He made a success of two fine Tudoresque half-timbered houses, also on the South Hill, for James N. Glover (1837-1921), considered the father of Spokane, and businessman F. Rockwood Moore. With these residences, Cutter “had begun his long career in Spokane designing houses in an Arts and Crafts manner that seemed to grow out of the rocky hillsides”..." (See Link 1.)

Among the other Spokane buildings that Kirtland Cutter designed are: 1898- Amasa B. Campbell House, now part of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture; 1898-Patsy Clark Mansion 2208 West Second Avenue which contains the largest stained glass window ever made by Tiffany Studios;
1910-Spokane Club; 1911-Monroe Street Bridge; 1912-Waikiki Mansion, now Gonzaga University's Bozarth Center; and 1914-The Davenport Hotel. (See Link 1.)

Photo: Taken in Spokane, Washington in 2007 by SW.
Note:   Thank you Rev. Flora Bowers for the history information given in our
               2010 phone conversation.
Link 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirtland_Cutter
Link 2: http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=115
Link 3: http://www.manitoumc.org/history

Sunday, July 11, 2010
Sunday Church Feature

Posthumous-Methodist Church, Lynn Valley, B.C.

The Lynn Valley Methodist church was built in 1912 at 260 Institute Road. (REF 1 and 3.) It was on the west side of Institute Road, across the lane from Lynn Valley Elementary School. In 1927 St. Clement's Anglican Church was moved to 120 Institute Road (REF 1.) It was on the east side of Institute Road and was known as "St. Clements-by-the-brook". (REF 7.) On today's maps the site of the Methodist Church would be across the street from what is now the house at 3284 Institute Road.(REF 4.)

Lynn Valley Methodist Church was originally only one floor. Then a basement was built under it to make two functioning  floors. "The bottom floor was immediately put into use as a child/daycare centre." (REF 2.) This church is seen in the photo above. "It features triangular eaves, brackets, and unusual alternating vertical and horizontal wood siding". (REF 2.) The windows along the sides and in triplicate on either side of the entrance to the upper level were and of a Gothic type. The double set of steps leading to the upper level were a stylized feature.


In 1925 the Congregational, most Presbyterian, and the Methodist Churches in Canada united to become the United Church of Canada. At this time the Knox Presbyterian Church on Lynn Valley Road became the Lynn Valley United Church. The Lynn Valley Methodist Church congregation joined with and moved to the new Lynn Valley United Church. The Lynn Valley Methodist Church building was then used by Lynn Valley Elementary School as a gym. On the 1930 Fire Insurance Map the building is labeled as having Manual Training in the basement.

1930 Fire Insurance Map

 From 1945 to 1962 the lower floor of the old Methodist Church was the home of Lynn Valley Parent Participation Playschool. When the top part was moved across Mountain Highway, "The lower 1/2 of the building became a Metal Arts School and was eventually demolished."(REF 5.) It was used as "...the manual arts branch of Queen Mary School teaching local students carpentry and house building."(REF 2.) It was also used as a community center. (REF 3.)

In 1962, according to the October 11, 1962 Citizen newspaper, the Lynn Valley Arts Guild purchased the old Methodist Church Building from the School Board for $50. And According to Clare Lakes' "History of LVPPP" it was the top half of the building that was purchased and they "...moved it across the playing field to the west side of Mt. Highway..." The Citizen said further that "to move the top floor of the church to 3355 Mountain Highway cost about $1000." The actual move took place in the spring of 1963.

In 2004 new playground equipment was donated by Home Depot for the north east corner of the new Lynn Valley Elementary School grounds. Charis Kalesnikoff, the school principal, said that when the workers were digging to install the equipment, hunks of concrete were uncovered. She wondered if these were remnants of the old Methodist Church.

The top floor of the old Lynn Valley Methodist Church remains part of the RNB Dance and Theatre Arts building at 3355 Mountain Highway. If you look on the back of the building you can still see the outline of the original Gothic type church windows that lined the sides of the1912 church.

Demolition: Bottom half of the Lynn Valley Methodist Church, in 1963.

Available at the North Vancouver Archives

Reference 1: 1930 Fire Insurance Map.

Reference 2: 1988 District of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory.

Reference 3: 1993 District of North Vancouver Heritage Inventory.

Reference 4: #275 North Vancouver Archives Map.

Reference 5: Clare Lakes' "History of Lynn Valley Parent Participation

Preschool".

Reference 6: October 11, 1962 "Citizen" newspaper.

Reference 7: 1005 "Sacred Sites Tour Booklet," article by Kathleen Larsen.

Photo: North Vancouver Archives Photo(26-19B-1-Draycott Fons 26, taken ca. 1920.)

Sunday Church Feature Wildrose United Methodist Church Wildrose United Methodist Church is over 100 years old. The church sits at 6312 West Wildrose Road. This is the corner of West Wildrose Road and Monroe Road south of the town of Deer Park, Washington. "Deer Park was settled in 1889 when a railroad siding was built for the Spokane Falls and Northern Railway." Wikipedia, see Link. Later logging became a big industry in the area. The lumber was sent south to help build the town of Spokane River which became the present city of Spokane.   As can be seen in the photo above the tiny Wildrose United Methodist Church is not near even the small town of Deer Park. It sits on the Wild Rose Prairie where farms are scattered through the tall grass. The other thing that is scattered through the tall grass is deer. At twilight as many as 50 deer might be seen grazing in the fields. Hitting a deer crossing the road is a common occurrence.  Wildrose United Methodist Church holds services every Sunday morning at 9:30. The minister in 2009 was Lee Brooks. However, the lay pastor from 1992 to 1998 was Bob Zinke and he revealed the following information. The church was formed in the late 1800's by John Yingst. At first they gathered in individual homes. But in 1892 they built a church. As the story goes, the carpenter/contractor was an alcoholic and hid his empty whiskey bottles in the steeple. When the congregation found out they were fearful. And rightly so since in 1912 lightening hit the steeple and the church was burned to the ground. The present church was built, but as you can see from the photo above no steeple was added. Inside the church is a sanctuary, two small Sunday School rooms and a bathroom. The sanctuary with its tall trinity window can hold a congregation of 60 to 70 people, but during Bob Zinke's ministry seven elderly worshipers was more likely. The bathroom is a converted back porch and did not have running water until 1994.  Above the church there is not a steeple, but a tall wooden cross.  Another cross, this time neon, is mounted above the front entrance and lets people in the area know that Christians meet to worship on the Wild Rose Prairie. Thank you: To Bob Zinke for the interesting information about the church. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer_Park,_Washington Photo: Taken in 2010 by SW.

Sunday Church Feature

Trinity Methodist Church
Milwaukee, Wisconsin



"The Methodist denomination organized the first church in Bay View. (An area on the south side of the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.) It was a small wooden church built in 1868 by English immigrants on the land donated by the Milwaukee Iron Company at what today is 2471 and 2473 Wentworth Avenue. In 1887 the congregation moved to this (at 2772 South Kinnickinnic Avenue) Victorian Gothic cream city brick edifice designed by parishioner William Davelaar." (See Link.)


On Sunday mornings in the 1940's and 50's the church bell door would be opened from the stair landing in the front hall and the rope would be pulled. The bell in the steeple would ring out signaling to the community that the church service was beginning. The inside of the church was unique. The sanctuary of dark wood was designed "in the round". The church chancel, altar, and communion rail were a semi-circle at the front of the sanctuary. A large array of tall organ pipes formed the backdrop for the altar. The five aisles were arranged like spokes on a wheel. At Christmas the choirs with their candles filled these aisles, surrounding the congregation, as they sang Christmas carols. On the east side of the sanctuary tall two storey dark wood folding doors separated the sanctuary from the Sunday School area. This area also had a balcony. On special days the doors could be opened to facilitate a larger capacity in the sanctuary. Downstairs were two halls. One with a terrazzo floor and kitchen which could be used for church dinners. At Christmas in the 1950's all four choirs would sit around large rectangular tables and sing Christmas carols. Featured would be the singing of "Christmas is Coming" and the presentation of the "figgy pudding". The other room was not only used for rummage sales and square dances, but also had a stage for performances.


"After WWII, husband and wife Lillian and Willis Leenhouts designed an educational wing and remodeled the church interior, installing new stained glass windows." These renovations were completed in the early 1950's. The church sanctuary now had a traditional layout with the chancel and altar in the front backed by modern stained glass windows. The dark wood was replaced with light blond wood. A formal parlour in honor of Mabel Bullock and a small chapel were also established on the main floor of the church. Later the parlour was moved across from the doors leading to the sanctuary to facilitate morning coffee following the service. An addition was constructed on the front of the building to provide for a church office. An education wing was also added.


In 1968 the Bethel Evangelical Church congregation merged with the Trinity Methodist Church congregation to become Bay View United Methodist Church. Bethel Evangelical Church was built in 1897 at 2392 So. Woodward St. In 1968 it was sold to the Assembly of God for $40,000. That congregation outgrew the building and again sold it in 2001.

Photo: Taken in 2006 by SW.

Link: http://www.bayviewumc.org/
Note: Suzanne Wilson attended this church as a child.