On Memory's Back Trail Ramona Congregational Church
By Darrell Beck

Above: The First Congregational Church in 1907. Photos Courtesy of Darrell Beck

The Ramona Congregational Church was founded on April 24, 1898, by local citizens who met at the Earl School on Mussey Grade Road along with the Rev. Stanley B. Wilson, acting as temporary pastor.

Charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. John Ferry, Mr. and Mrs. S.B. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Hampton Sloane, Mr. and Mrs. Hanchett, Martha B. Barnett, Mary Baxter and Mrs. W.J. Warnock.

Members held meetings at the Earl School until they were invited to meet at the new Friends Church (est. 1893 on Main Street). At the time, the Rev. C.H. Abernathy was called to be pastor. However, in 1904, Abernathy resigned and the Congregational group moved into the Town Hall and began planning to build a permanent home. Stanley R. Fisher became the new pastor. He also furnished the architectural plans for the church and George Telford was in charge of the construction of the new building that would be located at 8th and D streets.

The Congregational Church was dedicated on Feb. 24, 1907 - debt free - in an impressive ceremony. The two large Gothic windows were dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Hampton Sloane and Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Keyes.

In 1992 major restoration was made to the interior and exterior.

Historic accounts describe the interior of new church: "The ceiling has the same angle as the rafters, the walls wainscoted three feet from the floor, while above are planed redwood boards and pine cleats having a paneled effect. The scissor beams give a beautiful effect to the building. The acoustic properties are perfect. The church is lighted with acetylene gas, which at night intensifies the beauty of the edifice. Pastor and people declare the occasion to be the beginning of a new epoch in the life of the Congregational Church of Ramona."

The original building has been remodeled and expanded many times. A narthex was added, changing the entry from the original D Street side to the Eighth Street elevation. A new wing on the west side was added in 1947 for the primary department. This is presently called the Fireside Room and has recently been remodeled.

The religious education building was added in 1953, Pilgrim Hall was built in 1961 and added to in 1998, and in 1992 the church completed a major restoration of the interior and exterior of the main sanctuary and Fireside Room. Due to a growing membership of over 500, a landscaped parking area was added on an adjacent property and a new youth building is presently under construction.

The First Congregational Church today. Photo by Darrel Kinney

Since its inception, the Congregational Church has been served by 21 pastors. Those serving the longest include: Lambreth E. "Tex" Hancock, 21 years (1943-1964), Waldo S. Richards, seven years (1964-1971), Richard Bushman, 11 years (1972-1983) and Alexander S. Dreese, 23 years (1984 to present).

The Congregational Church will hold a special 100-year observance of the sanctuary on Feb. 25.

Darrell Beck is the author of "On Memory's Back Trail: A Story History of Ramona and the Backcountry of San Diego County." For information about the book, contact the author at 760-789-2534.