Building History

The Congregational Church in Lodi, CA, opened on Sunday, 01/03/1909. An article in The Pacific, the Congregational Church's Pacific Coast journal, said of the Lodi Congregational Church: "Founded in 1872, reorganized in 1878, it struggled along for years, aided by the different denominational societies. Some years since it began to grow. The growth of the town and the surrounding country during these past few years has been remarkable. The growth of the church, owing to the faithful services of successive pastors, and the loyal support of a devoted people has more than kept pace with the growth of the town and two years ago under the leadership of their pastor, Rev. F. M. Washburn, a move was made to erect a new building. In that year $6,000 was subscribed to the enterprise. This was not enough, so the next year the congregation gave nearly $3,000 more. At the dedication Sunday they pledged an additional $1,500. A wonderful record for this church. The most wonderful part of it is that during these same years the membership of the church has increased from 109 to 240, the Sunday-school from 137 to 280, the Endeavot societies have kept pace, as have the congregations. The new church, costing all told $14,000, was dedicated free from debt except that owing to the Church Building society." ("Dedication at Lodi," The Pacific, vol. 59, no. 1, 01/07/1909, pp. 10-11.)

PCAD id: 23183