The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

From the UUSM Archives

March, 2008

The Long and Winding Road

As we’re settling into the beautifully renovated and restored cottage next door, we should appreciate the long and winding road we’ve traveled so far in our building program. Keep in mind that focus group meetings for a building program took place in 1997, planning for the Capital Campaign began in 2000 and the initial Capital Campaign of 2002–2004 was extended to 2005–2007 after the lot next door became unexpectedly available. After escrow closed on March 30, 2004, and UUCCSM became the owner of two contiguous lots, it took a little over three years of planning, obtaining approvals, moving, renovating, and restoring the cottage before a Certificate of Occupancy was approved on November 15, 2007. But taking a longer view, don’t forget that before a “For Sale” was planted next door, building plans for the 17th Street lot — purchased in 1966 — had been approved by the congregation and the city, and we were about to break ground. And now, Forbes Hall — built in 1960 — is set to be rebuilt and expanded beginning next summer with completion in late 2009 or early 2010. Thereafter, expanding our sanctuary into a symmetrical space will be the final step on a long and winding road that’s a metaphor for our determination to improve access to and the quality of where we worship, hold meetings, educate our children, and host visitors.

— Rob Briner UUCCSM historian/archivist

December, 2007

Peace Site

On May 4, 1986, this congregation approved the following resolution, designating this church as a peace site:

Be it hereby resolved that we, the members of the Unitarian Community Church of Santa Monica, identify our church as a “peace site” and that we commit ourselves to being “peacemakers.” By virtue of these designations we dedicate ourselves and our church to the pursuit of peace in the nuclear age. This shall include, but not be limited to, learning to live together in peace as individuals, as well as learning to live in peace with all of humankind.We do not expect this process to be simple or easy and we make this commitment with the full understanding that our world is diverse and complex. As much as anything this represents a new commitment to fully understanding the complexities of the nuclear age and to doing our best to use our knowledge and insight for the common good and for the survival of the human race.

This dedication was celebrated here on October 5, 1986.

We Say Farewell to Pulpit Custom-Built for Ernie Pipes

In the fall of 1967, board chair Roscoe Guernsey and member Frank Rohloff delivered a new pulpit to our church. It was designed by Mr. Rohloff as a gift, to accommodate a 6’ 1” minister, the Rev. Ernie Pipes. It was used in our sanctuary until January 2002, when a new, adjustable pulpit was dedicated in memory of Edward Rutowski. Forty years later, in the fall of 2007, the “Pipes’ pulpit” was given to Camp de Benneville Pines along with other surplus furniture and items that could not be saved or used in UUCCSM’s new building plan.

— Rob Briner

October, 2006

We're Blessed with a Beautiful Sanctuary Organ and Piano

This fall marks the 25th and 15th anniversaries, respectively, of our sanctuary organ and piano. The organ was custom made for us in 1981, following a twoyear planning and fundraising drive led by Dean Voegtlen. It cost just under $50,000—and 233 individuals or households, groups (including the Women’s Alliance), and anonymous donors paid for it in full. The Steinway was purchased as a refurbished piano in 1991, using $26,800 from the bequest of Myra Bauer. The piano was built by the Steinway Company in New York in 1917—making it 90 years old next year. Both instruments, and how they’re played by Louis Durra, Steve Wight and guest musicians, add immeasurably to our services.

— Rob Briner, historian/archivist

January, 2006

Our Archivist Finds News of 1958 Capital Campaign

The capital campaign for building Forbes Hall ran from October 20 to November 14, 1958. We used the professional consultant firm of American Campaign Services.

The co-chairs of the campaign were Philip Bates and Norton Breiseth, who worked with 23 volunteers to solicit donations. Volunteers called on an average of seven people each. The goal of the campaign was $50,000.

The total number of prospects in the church was 216, and 86 made a pledge. Seventy-five people declined to pledge. The total amount pledged was $53,795. The average gift was therefore $625.52. Imagine what we could build if we had that average now in 2005 dollars.

— Rob Briner, Historian, Archivist

October, 2005

Still Working for Us Through All the Years

On Sunday, August 28, the Rev. Judith Meyer acknowledged Warren Mathews for his full-time office work this summer. Twenty-four years ago Warren and another current member, Stuart Moore, were thanked for designing a new lighting system in the sanctuary. The July 16 to 31, 1981, newsletter noted that “the entire system, complete with electronic switching, cost nearly $2,500 . . . .” We’re due for an upgrade in the next year or two, but have enjoyed flexible, focused lighting due to Warren’s and Stu’s efforts a long time ago.

The July 16 to 31, 1981, newsletter listed Ernie Pipes as our minister (now minister emeritus) and current member Joyce Holmen as the administrator; new members in July 1981, included Marjorie and William Anderson, who are thankfully still with us. Bill Anderson served as president from 1984 to 1987, prior to Ray Goodman and Len Adler, all of whom are still participating and contributing.

— Rob Briner/Historian, Archivist

September, 2005

We Benefitted from Their Generosity

As we inch closer and closer toward our fundraising goal, and closer and closer to final approvals and entering into construction contracts, it's interesting to review the original construction contract for Forbes Hall, dated October 31, 1959. In that simpler era Forbes Hall was completed in six months. Forty-six years later, in the fall of 2005, it may take another couple of years to complete our long-dreamed-of campus, but 50 years from now future UUCCSM generations will look back and thank us for years of effort culminating in a 100% improvement in our facilities. We are, quite simply, creating a legacy.

— Rob Briner

Local Changes Affected Our Church

Looking back 40 years, to the mid-60s, our church evolved with and was changed by local history. Residential and business development was transformed by the San Diego Freeway (I-405) between West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, which opened in 1962; the interchange of the 405 and the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10), which opened in 1964; and the Santa Monica portion of the I-10, which opened in 1966. Also, the Douglas Aircraft Company, which began operations at the Santa Monica airport in 1922 and during WWII employed as many as 44,000 workers in three shifts, moved to Long Beach in 1968. A further era marker was the Academy Awards ceremony, which was held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium from 1961 to 1968.

— Rob Briner, Historian/Archivist

Eight Committee Members of 1987 are Still Active Members of Church

At the beginning of 1987 (more than 18 years ago), board president Bill Anderson established a Long-Range Planning Committee that included Ernie Pipes, Minister Emeritus, and eight people who are still members of our congregation today: Len Adler, Lu Ann Darling, Ray Goodman, Charles Haskell, Ofelia Lachtman, Anne MacQueen, Warren Mathews, Ernie Pipes, and Jean Rutowski. All of them have been making continuous contributions since then.

— Rob Briner, Historian/Archivist

June, 2005

Here's a Brief Review of Our Building History

As we embark on remodeling our building and constructing a separate one for RE classes, it's a good time to review how we got here and what we have done since we arrived. Here's an overview by our church archivist:

• Rev. Alan Tillinghast, formerly pastor of the Church of the Open Door in New York City, came to Santa Monica in 1925. He gathered like-minded people and formally organized a congregation in 1927, renting space for weekly services at the Santa Monica Odd Fellows Hall and then at the Santa Monica Women’s Club on 4th Street, just south of Wilshire Blvd.

• The sanctuary at 18th and Arizona was dedicated in 1930.

• An adjacent parsonage was built in 1938 (displaced by Forbes Hall in 1960).

• The south patio (between the original business office, just off the front door of the sanctuary, and the minister’s office) was enclosed in 1950 to create classroom space.

• The parsonage was converted for use as classrooms in 1954 (so it was used as a minister’s home for only 15 years), approximately two years before the arrival of Ernie Pipes as minister.

• Forbes Hall was added in 1960. At the same time the sanctuary was expanded on the north side, displacing the original kitchen and social space (both of which moved to the new Forbes Hall). Classrooms and meeting rooms were moved upstairs, and the small business office expanded into the former classroom space that had been created by enclosing an original patio.

• The 17th Street lot was purchased in 1966, as either a site for future expansion or to trade someday for a more appropriate lot (sold in early 2005).

• Other than the addition of the Anderson Courtyard in 1992, no new major construction has been completed in the 45 years from 1960 to 2005.

• In early 2004 the congregation was finally able to purchase the residential lot next door (1248 18th Street) from the original family that built a cottage there in 1914. Plans are moving forward to expand the sanctuary on the south side (matching the 1960 expansion on the north side), move offices to 1248 18th Street and build new classrooms/meeting rooms behind the cottage at 1248 18th Street.

— Rob Briner, historian/archivist

April, 2005

Our Sanctuary was Last Upgrqaded 12 Years Ago in Spanish Revival

As plans move forward to develop 1248 18th Street (the property next door), at the same time our sanctuary will be altered dramatically with the expansion of seating on the south side — displacing the current church office.

As things change, it’s good to look back and appreciate the most recent sanctuary upgrades, which were completed in 1993 during the period between the Rev. Ernie Pipes and the Rev. Judith Meyer. (Judith was installed in January 1994.) Changes and improvements at that time included new light fixtures on the walls; changing the clerestory windows from a gold color to off-white; new Mexican chandeliers in the foyer and minister’s office; new carpeting; painting; refinishing the pews; and covering painted brick in the atrium and removing dark paneling. The new light fixtures on the walls replaced ones that weren’t Spanish Revival style. Carpeting and pew cushion upholstery was changed from green to dark red, better complementing the woodwork and architecture of the building The old pew cushions were donated 23 year ago by Will Wright, who is now deceased.

Leonard Adler chaired the design and décor committee and was heavily involved in the design, contracting, and construction, along with his wife, Elizabeth. Leonard reports that before the 1993 upgrades the sanctuary “was not only drab and threadbare, but it had really never been designed as an integrated whole.”

The 1993 sanctuary improvements were paid for by existing funds, shortly after the Anderson Courtyard was dedicated in November 1992. William and Marjorie Anderson paid for the courtyard with help from a special fundraising campaign and some existing funds. The beautification “bar” set by the Anderson Courtyard, along with prodding by the interim minister, Doug Strong, inspired the sanctuary improvements.

Shortly after Judith was installed in January 1994 a chalice sculpture was hung above and behind the pulpit. This commission was also part of the 1993 upgrades. It was designed and built by a Napa Valley artist, Bill Case, who is now deceased.

—Rob Briner, Historian/Archivist

February, 2005

Church Groups Evolve Over Time

Our UUCCSM social church groups have come and gone over the years, responding to changing times, agendas, and lifestyles. Today’s groups include FUUsion (21-35-year- olds), TAG (the adventure group), Over-50, Poetry, Interweave (bisexual, lesbian, gay and transgendered), and Caregivers’ Support Group.

Other groups, which were once active in days gone by, have dissolved:

Sewing Group met the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Today, with fewer and fewer stay-at-home moms, the skill of domestic sewing has dwindled—also affordable, foreign- made clothing and other sewn products are readily available.

Dessert Card Party was a subgroup of the Women’s Alliance (the only Santa Monica Unitarian social group organized even before the congregation). The group met once a month, on the first Friday at 1 p.m., to play cards, raise money for the church, and enjoy a homemade dessert. Today, for the most part, we enjoy fewer and fewer modest pleasures that cost little or no money.

Evening Alliance met the first Thursday of each month at 8 p.m. Established in 1955, it was “a group through which women may give service to the church and find satisfaction in personal relationships with other women of similar Unitarian points of view. Meeting in the evening at the homes of members, the Evening Alliance is for those women who work during the day.” This group dissolved in the 1970s.

Laymen’s League was reactivated the same year, 1955. This was the men’s version of the Women’s Alliance. The group dissolved in the 1970s, a transitional decade for many social groups. The Layman’s League was like an internal Rotary Club, whereas the current Men’s Group resembles a Covenant Group geared to sharing feelings.

When weekends weren’t so packed with chores and leisure opportunities, some church members found it enjoyable to meet regularly for the Sunday Evening Discussion Group to talk about UU topics and ideas. In some sense the Sunday Evening Discussion Group has evolved and expanded into today’s Adult Religious Growth and Learning classes.

Current Issues Group, which met the third Thursday of each month at 8 p.m., was established in 1956. Long before the Internet and 24-hour cable TV news, it made sense to regularly get together at church to discuss topical issues. Today, few members would have the time to gather regularly, other than at Sunday services.

Singletarians, established in the early 1960s after the dedication of Forbes Hall, was another victim of changing times. Today there are more single people than ever, but being single is no longer seen as a transitional period. And those who wish to date have found other ways to meet people.

Service Committee has evolved into today’s Faith in Action Commission.

Social groups often dissolve when there’s a leadership void, when no one volunteers any more to do the organizing. Individuals always make a difference. That never changes.

—Rob Briner, Historian/Archivist

January, 2005

Chair of the Pipes Lecture Series Passes from Goodman to Adler

Shortly after the Rev. Ernest D. Pipes Jr. retired in mid-1991, after 35 years of leading our church, Ray Goodman (president 1987-88) led an effort to permanently commemorate Ernie’s tenure by endowing an annual public affairs lecture in Ernie’s name.

The inaugural lecture was held at the end of 1991 with a talk by the then-president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Rev, William Schulz. Since that tine, the second through the 13th lectures have been presented in the first half of each year. After overseeing this project since its inception, Ray has decided to focus on other activities, and Leonard Adler (president 1989-91) has agreed to become the new chair. Under Len’s leadership, we look forward to future public affairs lectures this year and beyond.

Since 1991 UUCCSM has enjoyed a variety of speakers and topics:

“Religion in the 21st Century”
The Rev.William Schulz, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association

"Adolescent Violence and Its Impact on the Community”
Deborah Prothrow-Stith, M.D., expert on community violence

“Environment and the Church”
The Rev. Peter Kreitler, Episcopal minister, historian, and educator

“Equal Justice under the Law”
Ramona Ripston, executive director, ACLU Foundation of Southern California

“Bumper Sticker Politics and Hair Spray News”
Patt Morrison, LA Times and KCET journalist

“Politics: Past and Future Perspectives”
Anthony Beilinson, former member of Congress

“Why a Livable World Requires a Restructured and Empowered United Nations”
John B. Anderson, former member of Congress and 1980 Independent Candidate for US President

“What I Learned about God from Buddhism”
Kennard Lipman, Ph.D, University of Judaism

“Sex, Politics, and Scheer in the 21st Century”
Robert Scheer, L.A. Times journalist

“Making Every Vote Count”
Margo Reeg, League of Women Voters of California

“Health Care Ethics”
Charles Haskell, M.D., Chief Ethics Officer,V.A.

“How Corporate Greed and Political Corruption Are Undermining America”
Arianna Huffington, political columnist & author

“Civil Liberties and the War on Terrorism”
Erwin Chemerinsky, USC School of Law

—Rob Briner, archivist/historian

December, 2004

Our Name Has Changed Several Times Over the Years

The original (1927) name of our congregation was All Souls Unitarian Church of Santa Monica. In 1951 the name was officially changed to Unitarian Community Church of Santa Monica.

In 1960 our congregation approved consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America, forming the Unitarian Universalist Association. In 1995, the name was officially changed to Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica.

—Rob Briner

Correction: The House Next Door Was Owned by Judge Taft's Grandson's Wife

At the end of March 2004 we purchased the property next door at 1248 18th Street from the "Nadene Lynda Shutt Living Trust." The Shutt family had owned the property since the bungalow was built in 1914 by the family patriarch, Judge Fred Taft, a founding member of our congregation.

We were not sure of the family lineage, and mistakenly reported a few months ago that the property was sold to us by Judge Taft's daughter. The real estate agent who brokered the sale told us that the woman who created the trust that was selling the property was an elderly woman living in a Santa Monica convalescent home, and that, as trust administrator, she indicated her preference, or at least signed off on selling 1248 18th Street to UUCCSM as a conciliatory gesture. This woman, Winnifred Shutt, passed away on July 20, 2004, at the age of 90 (less than four months after the sale was completed). The published obituary has cleared up some questions, specifically that this elderly woman was NOT Judge Taft's daughter, Murial, but rather the wife of Judge Taft's grandson, Nado Shutt.

Nado, with whom Ernie Pipes periodically communicated when Nado was the owner of record, died in 1990. The correct lineage is Judge Taft to Murial Shutt, daughter; to Nado Shutt, grandson; to Winnifred Shutt, Nado’s wife; to Nadene Shutt. (So Judge Taft was Nadene’s great-grandfather).

November, 2004

Let the Full-Voic'd Organ Sound!

I can’t remember how or when my love of the pipe organ began. Perhaps its genesis was at church in Summit, when as a late teenager I began to question some of the Presbyterian theology and found the organ and choir as uplifting to my spirit as the sermons — or more so. It was nurtured during my time at the University of Michigan, where I sang in a chorus that performed some of the great choral works, accompanied by a fine organ. Later, my friend John Cater gave me a great recording of the Poulenc Organ Concerto. In Utica I asked the organist at our church, George Wald, to play Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor after the service one day. He played it magnificently, and we became good friends. In Prague I heard Bach’s organ play just for me one day when I walked into the cathedral while the organist was practicing.

In my church in Santa Monica we had an electric organ of great complexity and flexibility built by two electronic geniuses. At that time the transistor had not been invented, so the organ was powered by electron tubes with thousands of resistors, capacitors, relays, and connectors. However, it had one major problem: it was difficult to keep in tune, and soon our organist almost refused to play it. We then acquired a small pipe organ, a gift from one of our members. It was awkwardly stacked away in a front corner of the sanctuary and did not contribute to the aesthetics of the church.

I wanted a real organ, one with a sound I could feel in my bones, one that would lift my spirit. I became chairman of the Organ Committee; and therein started a two-year campaign (1980-1981), to convince the congregation that they, too, wanted the finest instrument that we could fit into the building, and that they wanted to pay for it.

Our Organ Committee went all over the area listening to organs large and small. Gradually, we narrowed it down to just a few, and arranged for members of the congregation to hear them. We had lecture-demonstrations at our church in which we would play records and tapes over our sound system and demonstrate the sounds by holding up real pipes and blowing into them. There were pipes as small as your little finger and others over eight feet long that would make your stomach vibrate. The interest of the congregation gradually began to grow, and at the annual meeting on May 10, 1980, they voted to go ahead. The church would match all gifts of church members from the interest earned on a recent bequest.

I began negotiating with Abbott and Seiker, a wellestablished firm in West Los Angeles, and we agreed on a price of $34,600. The instrument would incorporate many of the pipes from our existing small organ and also provide for more ranks to be added in the future.

A flyer and letters to the congregation solicited funds for the project. We had Sponsors at $1,000, Donors from $100-$999, and Contributors at $1-$99. The money arrived in time to pay for the organ. We have subsequently added several more ranks, bringing our investment to around $55,000.

For me the highlight was our organ dedication concert on September 26, 1981, featuring Tom Harmon, head of the UCLA organ department and internationally known organist.

I call it my organ, and no one ventures to dispute it, perhaps because they can’t be sure of my reference.

—Dean Voegtlen, from the archives

Then let the pealing organ blow
To the full voic’d quire below,
In service high and anthems clear...
Some chord in unison with what we hear
Is touch’d within us, and the heart replies.
—Milton

The 25th anniversary of the UUCCSM organ will be in September 2006.

October, 2004

Memorial Dedications Enhance Our Church

Many memorial gifts have come to the church in the form of specific items. The Robert V. Stern memorial library was mentioned in the July newsletter, and the Ray and Betty Goodman bell in March. Here are some other dedications.

The Mitchell Marcus courtyard fountain

Mitchell Marcus was a longtime member who served as president in the mid 1950s, when the congregation split in 1955. He chaired the special meeting on February 26, 1956, that voted to call The Rev. Ernie Pipes as minister. He continued in leadership positions, including as chair of the nominating committee in 1961-62, just after Forbes Hall was dedicated. He died in 1991 and his wife, Helen, and their daughters dedicated the courtyard fountain to his memory in 1992. Helen died in 2002 in Santa Barbara. The dedication on the fountain reads:

Professor Mitchell Marcus 1917-1991
Church Board Chairman 1955-56
Memorial Gift From Helen Helms Marcus, Helen Marie and Mary Ellen

The Michael Zifferblatt name badge cabinet:

Michael and Marjorie Zifferblatt joined our congregation in 1959, along with their 6-year-old daughter, Ellen, who attended RE classes. Michael and Marjorie particularly enjoyed Ernie Pipes’ sermons. Shortly after Michael died in 1986, Marjorie arranged for a carpenter to design and construct a name badge cabinet that was donated in Michael's name as something practical that everyone could use. The dedication reads:

May All Who Pass This Way Find Peace, Wisdom And Caring
In Memory Of Michael Zifferblatt 1918-1986

The Ed Rutowski pulpit:

Edward and Jean Rutowski joined our church in 1979. When Eddie died in 1998, all of the funds donated in his name were used to construct the pulpit used today. It was designed to include a motorized text platform that can be raised or lowered to accommodate speakers of different heights (The Rev. Judith Meyer had to stand on a platform to use the 1967 pulpit, which was appropriate for Ernie Pipes).

Ed Rutowski sang in the choir, served on the Nominating Committee, Board of Directors, Pledge Committee, and Adult Program Committee and delivered his own sermon on August 23, 1992, “This I Believe: The Delusion of Immaculate Perception.” Eddie and Jean also led congregational hikes, hosted play-reading groups, and participated in countless other church activities. Jean and Eddie were married 54 years, and 2004 would have been their 60th anniversary.

The “Rutowski pulpit,” with undulating sides, was custom-made in Culver City. The dedication reads:

In fond memory of Edward S. Rutowski and his contributions to the intellectual, musical and social life of this congregation
Beloved Member 1979-1998

– Rob Briner, historian/archivist

A Conversation with Our Neighbors

One Sunday, I interviewed a married couple who live across the street from our two 18th Street lots, 94-year-old Bob Sears and his wife, Barbara. They purchased and moved into their home at 1247 18th Street 63 years ago, in 1941, a year or two after they were married.

Although age has slowed them, Bob was for many years a Santa Monica beach lifeguard, and he regularly golfed until only a few years ago. Barbara continues to maintain their beautiful front and back gardens. Although their home appears to be newer than those on either side of them – including the one currently posted for demolition and construction of condos – Bob said all of the single family homes in the neighborhood were built at about the same time in the late 1920s and early 1930s, and they bought their home from the family next door who owned both lots at the time. Bob and Barbara are United Methodists, and they raised two children who are now retired themselves, their son in Nipomo (a rural area north of Santa Barbara) and their daughter in Studio City.

Not being associated with our church, they said they don’t remember having ever met The Rev. Ernie Pipes or The Rev. Judith Meyer. For more than 50 years they knew the family who owned the house next to them that’s slated for development, and when it was sold several years ago by the surviving daughter, Bob wanted to buy it but never had a chance to bid. (A friend of his was interested in the property at 1248 18th Street, but the Re/Max agent wouldn’t accept any more bids after ours had been accepted. Bob’s friend had the idea of clearing the lot and building as many as 20 condos there.)

When I asked Bob about the Shutt family, who owned 1248 18th Street for at least 80 years (starting with Judge Fred Taft, a founding member of our congregation), he said he vaguely remembered having met Judge Taft and his nephew, Thurlow Taft (another founding member), but they were an insular family who didn’t interact with the neighbors and, in fact, rented out the bungalow for many, many years rather than live there themselves. They know a former tenant who lived at 1248 for 25 years.

When I suggested that maybe the Shutt family regretted that their grandfather, Judge Taft, had sold 1260 18th Street to the congregation in 1929, Bob said fairly emphatically that that wasn’t the likely cause of any resentment because the family owned other property in Santa Monica. He said they were simply people who thought of themselves as purchasers and owners of property, not sellers. In other words, they thought it was best to keep the land they had and if they could, to buy more.

I gained an insight into this thinking when Bob pointed out that he would buy the property next door to him if it had not been sold. Unfortunately, if it’s torn down and a two-story condo complex is built, Bob and Barbara will lose about half of the sunlight that currently comes through their kitchen window and falls on their lovingly-tended garden, including a rare mature tree grown from a cutting Bob brought back from Hawaii. When I told Bob that UUCCSM might sell the 17th Street lot, he said he hopes that he or someone he knows can bid on it.

– Rob Briner, historian/archivist

Learn About Our Neighbor Churches

Many of you know that our sanctuary was built in 1930 (its 75th birthday will be next year). Where does that date fall in the context of church building in Santa Monica? It was UUCCSM that started much of the church building in this neighborhood.

On the same block as UUCCSM, at 18th Street and Wilshire Blvd., is Pilgrim Lutheran Church, built in 1952, replacing a predecessor church at 14th and Arizona Ave.

Two blocks away, at 20th and Arizona Ave., is the Little Chapel of the Dawn, built in 1933 as a nondenominational chapel by Gates, Kingsley & Gates, funeral directors. This building came to recent national prominence as the place the body of Ronald Reagan was taken after his death.

Three blocks to the north is Santa Monica First Church of the Nazarene; the sanctuary was finished in 1927, an educational wing added in 1947, and the interior remodeled in 1952.

At 19th and Arizona, one block away, our neighbor one block to the east is the Seventh Day Adventist Church, built in 1939, with an administrative annex completed in 1996. We have rented space from this congregation for this school year because our religious education classes have outgrown our capacity.

When our church was founded as All Souls Unitarian in 1927, it joined a number of churches already active in our city. The First United Methodist Church is the oldest church in Santa Monica. Originally established at 5th and Arizona in 1876, then at 4th and Arizona in 1896, the present sanctuary, at 11th and Washington Ave., was built in 1952.

St.Augustine-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, on 4th, a half-block south of Wilshire, was built in 1969, succeeding the original church built in 1888. It is the oldest church in Santa Monica at the same location. The First Church of Christ, Scientist is the second-oldest church at the same city site. At 5th and Arizona, across from the main post office, it was built in 1963, succeeding the original sanctuary built in 1900.

Phillips Chapel, Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church at 4th and Bay St., may be the oldest continuously occupied public building in the city. It was originally built in either 1890 or 1895 as a school at 4th and Ashland Ave., and was later moved to its present site and dedicated in 1908.

Santa Monica is home to dozens of churches representing most religions you can think of and a few you may not know (for example, Soka Gakkai International, at 6th and Santa Monica Blvd.).

The Church in Ocean Park, at 2nd and Hill St., was built in 1923. Also in Ocean Park, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at 2nd and Strand, was built in 1922. The Mount Olive Lutheran Church, in Sunset Park at 14th and Ocean Park Blvd., was built in 1961, succeeding a previous sanctuary built in 1949. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, at Lincoln Blvd. and Washington, was built in 1926.

St.Monica’s Church, at 7th and California, was built in 1925, followed by the rectory in the same city block in 1926, the elementary school in 1930 and the high school in 1948 (with the most recent addition to the high school completed in 1994). St. Monica’s original location was at 3rd and Santa Monica Blvd. (now on the Promenade) in 1884.

The Calvary Baptist Church, at 20th and Broadway, was built in 1947. The congregation was organized in 1920 and its first sanctuary was a few blocks south of its present location. The Trinity Baptist Church, at 10th and California, was built in 1950, replacing a previous structure completed in 1926.

How many other Santa Monica churches have you visited or noticed? Clearly, Santa Monica is a city rich in ecclesiastical architecture.

(Primary source: Looking At Santa Monica by James W. Lunsford, 1983, self-published.)

– Rob Briner, historian/archivist

September, 2004

It Took Several Tries to Find at Last the Right Piano for Our Sanctuary

In the spring of 1991 a rebuilt Steinway grand piano was delivered to the UUCCSM sanctuary.We don’t know anything about its original owner or its route to being restored, but Steinway has built the highest quality pianos for over 150 years (since 1853) and we shouldn’t take for granted the beautiful instrument that graces our services every Sunday.

“George, we’ve got to send that piano back,” I reluctantly announced It’s a beautiful instrument, there’s no question; but it’s too large for our sanctuary. It’s difficult to move and Rosalyn says she cannot play it softly enough so that it doesn’t dominate the choir.”

“Who’s she to judge that piano!” George retorted angrily. “She’s no pianist! Let her learn to play it properly!”

“Look, George,” I pleaded, “The Music Committee voted unanimously last evening to return it. I’m sorry you weren’t there to hear the discussion.”

“What do they know about pianos? There’s not one real musician on the committee!” George continued, his anger unabated. “It’s obvious I’m in the wrong place around here. I am seriously considering resigning from the church.”

“George!” I pleaded again, “You are deeply appreciated. Your keen musical sense, the invaluable contribution you’ve made in bringing us the Mostly Mozart concerts, are recognized by everyone. This is not a vote against you personally. I know we can find the right piano.”

When Myra Bauer, a loyal choir member for many years, died rather suddenly, her trust account provided a generous gift to the church. The Music Committee recommended that we acquire a really fine piano in her memory, knowing she would have thought this most appropriate. The Board approved and the Music Committee was charged with the job of finding the instrument.

I was chair of the Search Committee, but George Bell was a very active and aggressive member. He knew best where to look and how to bargain for the lowest price. For several months we visited piano shops, warehouses, private homes — anywhere we thought there was a likely candidate. Our accompanist, Rosalyn Kalmar, tried them, and we occasionally enlisted the services of Tim Ehlens, a well-known pianist in the area, to help us evaluate the instruments. Finally, we found a Steinway concert grand that we liked, but stipulated that we had to hear it in the church sanctuary before we would purchase it. We agreed to pay the round-trip expense for moving if we decided against it.

When we got it placed properly in the sanctuary, and rounded up a few members to listen to Tim play it, we were not really happy with it. The tone seemed dead and Tim had trouble with the action during some rapidly articulated passages. Of course, the piano shop told us they would fix it. But they had just tuned it. We voted to return the piano.

A little later George Bell announced that he had found the piano — absolutely the best instrument in the LA. area. He was sure that everyone, even Roz Kalmar, would love it. He was so positive that he agreed to pay the shipping costs both ways if necessary, but he was convinced it would be a one-way trip. Indeed it was a fine piano, a nine-foot Steinway grand of 1940s vintage. But, as you now know, we found it too brilliant, too overpowering, for our sanctuary. It belonged in a large concert hall, and I hope it eventually found a good home.

In a mood of mild desperation, I called Dee Stevens, who had been our music director in the 1960s. Delores Stevens is now an internationally known concert pianist, both as a soloist and as a member of a chamber group. Surely she could give me a suggestion after all our missteps. “It’s strange you called, Dean,” she said. “My piano technician has just completed restoration of a seven foot parlor grand Steinway in his shop. Why don’t you go over and see it.”

The shop contained four or five pianos in various stages of disrepair, covered with dust. But at one end was this high gloss black piano with its lid up, revealing a newly refinished gold harp, shiny new strings and brand new action. I sat down and played a Chopin prelude. Now I’m not much of a pianist, but I do know a fine piano when I see one. This one was unbelievable. The action was absolutely even, the response delicate and true, and the tone rich, full, mellow, with overtones creating a complex sound — magnificent to my ears. I couldn’t wait to have Roz play it. She was equally enthusiastic. We persuaded Dee Stevens to play it for members of the Music Committee. The vote was unanimous. The piano made a one-way trip to our sanctuary, where it has been featured in many concerts and musical events, and has greatly enriched the musical and aesthetic spirit of the church.

— Dean Voegtlen

August, 2004

Our Church History Comes Alive with New Display in Anteroom

The Design and Décor Committee has approved the display of several more historical documents from the church archives (in addition to several framed original documents hung in the sanctuary anteroom several months ago, near the portrait of Ernie Pipes).

Here is the one about establishing a liberal church in Santa Monica:

Santa Monica, California,May 2nd, 1927

To All Friends of Liberal Religion in the Santa Monica Bay District:
Is a liberal church to be established in Santa Monica?

The time has now come for a decision of this question and a meeting will be held next Sunday,May 8th, after the regular services for the purpose of taking steps towards perfecting a church organization.However, unless the local budget is fully subscribed in the meantime, final action must necessarily be delayed again. Five Thousand Dollars will be required for the year commencing September 1st, 1927.One-half of this amount is to be taken care of by the American Unitarian Association – Twenty-five Hundred Dollars must be raised locally, of which Eighteen Hundred Dollars has already been subscribed. Therefore, only Seven Hundred Dollars is lacking, but unless this comparatively small balance is forthcoming soon the project for the establishment of a liberal church in Santa Monica will have to be abandoned. Are you sufficiently interested in this matter to subscribe One or Two Dollars a week? If so, please sign the attached pledge and mail at once in the enclosed envelope. Let us in the next five days not merely put this proposition over, but put it over with a bang!

Signed by eight individuals, including Judge Fred H.Taft and Thurlow T.Taft (uncle and nephew). Judge Taft sold 1260 18th Street to the congregation in 1929, and until March 2004 his daughter was head of the family trust that owned 1248 18th Street.

Here is the document calling the Rev. Ernest D. Pipes to the pulpit:

SPECIAL MEETING
Sunday, February 26th, 1956

The Special Meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Dr.Mitchell Marcus.

The sole purpose of the meeting was to vote on the proposed call of the Reverend Ernest D. Pipes, Jr. Ballots were distributed, a quorum being present, and the ballots showed the tally to be 58 to 6 in favor of the call.

The Secretary was instructed to wire the Reverend Pipes accordingly.

And here is the document concerning local consideration of the consolidation of the Unitarians and the Universalists:

MINUTES OF SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
February 28, 1960

Pursuant to notice heretofore duly given, a special meeting of the members of this church was duly called to order by the Board President, Theodore Whitehead, at 12:30 P.M.

There being 180 voting members of this church, and there being 64 such members present, in person or by proxy, it appeared that a quorum as required by the by-laws was present for the transaction of business.

The President announced that the purpose of the meeting was to consider the Plan for Consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America.

It was moved and seconded that this church approve the adoption of such Plan. After considerable discussion, a vote was taken, and the motion was carried, 63 to 1.

— Rob Briner

Four Generations in Our Congregation

Joyce Holmen’s interview of Greg Poirier, following his presentation at GA, is currently on the UUA website at http://www.uua.org/ga/ga04/5021.html. Do read it. His presentation of the movie “Rosewood” was one of the high points of GA, attracting a large crowd and including many members of our church.

An interesting observation in the interview: Greg and Jana Poirier attend church with his mother (Gloria Keeling) and grandmother (Olive Karony) in addition to their children (William, 7, and Joseph, 4). That makes them the only four-generation family in the congregation.

— Rob Briner

July, 2004

Reagan's Body Rested Nearby Before Its Journey to DC

It was hard to miss on Saturday, June 5, through Monday, June 7, that the body of former president Ronald Reagan was transferred on the day of his death on June 5, to the Gates, Kingsley & Gates Moeller Murphy Funeral Home at 20th and Arizona — two blocks from UUCCSM.

For a day and half, 20th Street was closed from Santa Monica to Wilshire, and Arizona was closed from 19th to 20th. Local and national news media set up shop and satellite equipment beamed live coverage around the world, including an outdoor news conference at noon on Sunday, June 6. Beginning at dawn on Monday, June 7, a significant Santa Monica Police presence joined the US Secret Service, LAPD, and dozens of California Highway Patrol escort motorcycles, and at 9:45 a.m. the Reagan family appeared publicly to accompany the casket for repose in Simi Valley, a state funeral in Washington, DC, and interment at Simi Valley.

The lovely chapel at Gates, Kingsley & Gates, the Little Chapel of the Dawn, was built in 1933. (Our sanctuary was completed three years earlier, in 1930.) It is a nondenominational chapel that has hosted hundreds of weddings, as well as funerals, in the past 70 years.

Gates, Kingsley & Gates is the last such facility/business in Santa Monica. In the 1940s there were seven local mortuaries, before the consolidation trend that has affected many industries, including gas stations, banks, and grocery stores. Today, the former family business of Gates, Kingsley & Gates Moeller Murphy (which was already the combination of two separate family businesses) is owned by a multi-national corporation, Service Corp. International (SCI), which has consolidated most of the mortuary-funeral industry nationwide.

Reagan’s brief stay at Gates, Kingsley & Gates and the Little Chapel of the Dawn was prearranged by the Reagans going back decades, for a reason or reasons that are not publicly known. (Reagan and Nancy were not married in Santa Monica, but rather at a small neighborhood chapel in Studio City on March 5, 1952.) However, during Reagan’s early years in the film industry he lived at many addresses from Culver City to Malibu to Westwood to Hollywood, so it’s likely he also spent time and attended many functions in Santa Monica. Following these historic events, the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission will be considering officially designating the Little Chapel of the Dawn a local historic landmark.

—Rob Briner

The Man Who Started It All:
Judge Taft Sold Us the Corner Lot; His Daughter Sold the Adjacent One

The following obituary, reprinted in its entirety, was published in the Santa Monica Evening Outlook on June 9, 1942. The subject was a significant person in our congregation's history for several reasons:

• Judge Fred H. Taft was one of seven names on a 1927 flyer addressed to the public seeking to organize a liberal religion in Santa Monica, along with his nephew, Thurlow T. Taft;
• Fred H. Taft sold the 18th and Arizona lot (1260 18th St.) to the Unitarian congregation;
• Fred H. Taft guaranteed the payment of outstanding street bonds on the 18th and Arizona lot;
• Fred H. Taft donated the last $500 of the funds required to be raised locally to qualify for a start-up loan from the American Unitarian Association;
• Although never on the church board, Fred H. Taft maintained membership in the congregation and frequently addressed annual meetings;
• Upon his death, Fred H. Taft bequeathed $500 to the Santa Monica Unitarian Church; and
• This year, 52 years after his death, Fred H. Taft’s daughter, Murial Shutt, turned down higher bids and sold her next-door property to the church (combining the contiguous lots of 1260 and 1248 18th Sreets).

—Rob Briner

June 9, 1942

Judge Taft Dies After Illness of Three Months

Judge Fred H. Taft, one of the best known citizens in Santa Monica, where he had lived for 48 years [age 37-85], and a member of the law firm of Tanner, Odell and Taft of Los Angeles and Santa Monica, died late yesterday afternoon in his home, 1004 Lincoln Boulevard [near the corner of Lincoln and Washington, now a part of St. Monica High School], after an illness of several months. He was 85 years old.

Judge Taft was city attorney in Santa Monica from 1902 to 1907 [age 45-51] and was judge in the Superior Court, Los Angeles County, from 1913 to 1920 [age 56-63]. He was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1892 and to the California bar in 1893, after which he became a partner in the law firm of Tanner and Taft, in Santa Monica, from 1894 to 1905. The Los Angeles office was established in 1898 with the firm becoming Tanner, Taft and Odell, the name being changed to Tanner, Odell and Taft while Judge Taft was serving on the Superior Court bench."

(Editor’s note: His involvement with the Unitarian Church of Santa Monica dates from 1927, when he was 70 years old and the congregation was organized, to his death in 1942 at age 85.)

Worked on Newspapers

Before entering the legal profession, Judge Taft was in newspaper work in the east. He published the Humbolt, Iowa, Kosmos from 1874 to 1882, founded the Hardin County Citizen, Iowa Falls, in 1883; edited the Fort Dodge, Iowa, Messenger, from 1884 to 1887, and was associated with the Sioux City Newspaper Union from 1887 to 1891.

Judge Taft was born in Pierrepont Manor, New York, the son of the Rev. Stephen H. Taft; notable pioneer churchman, educator and temperance worker. His mother was Mary A. Burnham Taft.

He was educated in Iowa, taking his college training at Humboldt College from which he was graduated in 1879. He came to California in 1893 and for about a year was associated with the Los Angeles Times, before coming to Santa Monica to establish his law office.

Interested in City

Judge Taft was interested in many movements for the civic betterment of Santa Monica. He was one of the founders of the organization now known as Santa Monica Welfare, Inc., and still was active on its board of directors. He was active in the Santa Monica Ocean Park Red Cross chapter for more than 25 years and was a director also in that organization. He was one of the most active members of All Souls Unitarian Church, with which he had been identified since its founding. He also was a member of the Santa Monica Bay district and Los Angles Bar associations, the State Bar of California and the American Bar Association.

Although the oldest lawyer in Santa Monica and one of the oldest in the state, he continued in active work until a few months ago when failing health necessitated his remaining in his home.

Judge Taft was married in 1881 to Miss Frances M. Welch with whom he spent more than 50 years of happy married life. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Muriel Shutt, and a son, Harris W. Taft, both of Santa Monica; two grandsons, Nado Shutt [legal owner of the 1248 lot as of 1964] and Roderick S. Taft; two granddaughters, Mrs. Jean Taft Wyckoff and Suzanne Taft, and two great grandchildren, Ann and Susan Wyckoff.

Funeral arrangements, which are in charge of Todd and Leslie, have not been completed.

May, 2004

All Souls Unitarian Church of Santa Monica was organized in April 1927 at a meeting in the home of Judge Fred H. Taft — located at 1004 Lincoln Boulevard. No longer standing, the Taft home was near the corner of Washington Avenue, in the block now entirely occupied by St. Monica’s Catholic Church, high school, elementary school, rectory, and convent. One of the St. Monica’s high school buildings completed in only the past couple of years prominently bears the address 1004. St. Monica’s Church was built in 1925, only five years before our sanctuary in 1930 — in an era when there were wide expanses of vacant lots in Santa Monica.

Judge Taft had sold 1260 18th St. to the Unitarian church for $6,000 in 1928.

— Rob Briner

April, 2004

Historical Tidbit from Our Archivist, Rob Briner

Our church’s board of directors in 1967-68 — 36 years ago — included three people who are still active members of our congregation: Milt Holmen, Stu Moore and Dean Voegtlen (as well as Mrs. Lloyd Drum).

March, 2004

Our Bell is "Carillon Quality," Thanks to the Goodmans

The 3rd Sunday of June will mark the 23rd anniversary of the most resonant gift our congregation has ever received—a new church bell. Like many gifts, we tend to take it for granted and not appreciate what we have, but have you ever heard a recorded church bell? Blah!

The original UUCCSM bell was smaller and had a somewhat tinny sound—at least that’s what Betty Goodman thought as she and her husband, Ray, walked to services one morning in 1980. Betty said to Ray, “That old bell isn’t good enough.” Ray’s response was, “Then find out how to get a new one.

Betty was surprised to find out that “carillon quality” bells aren't made in this country, and was referred to the bell foundry of Paccard- Fonderie de Cloches in Annecy le Vieux, France, which ended up custom casting the beautiful bell that’s been ringing for us ever since.

An Order of Service 23 years ago included an insert with the following rather technical explanation: “The musical quality of this welltuned bell is created first by being cast in a bronze consisting of 78% pure copper and 22% pure tin and then tuned to the Standard of the Guild of Carillonneurs to include tuning of the fundamental, prime, nominal, minor third and fifth, with sub-octaves tuned to increase the length of duration of the fundamental. This is accomplished by shaving metal from the bell in exactly the right amounts and places to bring the notes to perfection. Our 190-pound bell is cast to the note of G.”

Ray Goodman suggested the inscription, from John Donne, “It Tolls for Thee.” Thanks again, Betty and Ray. You’ve never left us, and your bell assures you never will.

--Rob Briner

January, 2004

Angie Forbes Found a Minister to Heal a Rift and Gave the First Money for Forbes Hall

Everyone at the Unitarian church in Santa Monica called her Angie. She did not want formality to stand in the way despite her proper appearance and east coast money. Angie Forbes was very much a part of the Unitarian Church in Santa Monica, and the social hall where much of our church life happens is named after her.

Angeline Lincoln Forbes came to Southern California in the late 1940s, a widow, leaving her Massachusetts home to be with family that earlier came west. She bought a house on Kenter Canyon, north of Sunset, and sought out the Unitarian Church in Santa Monica. She came from a Unitarian family and had been married to Dr. Roger Forbes, a Unitarian minister.

Angie’s story in the church really begins in the mid-'50s when the church was embroiled in controversy brought on by the fear and accusations of the McCarthy witch hunts. California had passed a law requiring a loyalty oath from non-profit organizations and the church split almost evenly in half regarding the issue. It was a very tense and divisive time in our church’s history. The minister, Howard Matson, Angie, and some 80 other members wanted to get on with church business and signed the oath. The split in the church widened and Matson resigned.

Seventy members left and formed the West Los Angeles Unitarian church. Those remaining, including Angie, picked up the pieces.

A dark cloud hung over the church and many ministers, knowing the tensions, did not want the minister position. Angie Forbes was on the search committee and in December, when she went to New England to be with family, she also visited churches to look for a new minister. One of her visits in January 1956 was to the Unitarian Church in Albany, NY, where Ernie Pipes was minister. He had served there since graduating from Harvard Divinity School in 1952. After the service, Angie invited Ernie to lunch at her fancy hotel restaurant. She explained in general terms the problems facing the Santa Monica church and that the church needed a healing ministry.

In August Ernie began his 35-year ministry at our church. After the Pipes family had settled in, Angie occasionally invited Ernie and Maggie to her house for dinner. They were served by a maid and enjoyed an Emily Post dining experience.

With a growing congregation in the late 50s (all churches grew during those comfortable Eisenhower years, says Ernie) the church needed more room. Angie was on the building committee and put up the first money, which enabled the church to hire an architect and encouraged other contributions.

The construction included tearing down a small, unused parsonage at the west end of the church and tearing out the wall that separated the sanctuary from the kitchen and meeting rooms in the north side of the church. The huge beam replaced the wall and opened up the sanctuary. The two-story addition at the west end included a social hall, new kitchen, and upstairs classrooms.

Angie Forbes died before the new building was finished in 1960. The congregation, recognizing her contribution, voted to name the social hall Forbes Hall. They created and hung a bronze plaque to honor her. Have you seen it? If so, you have a picture of the woman who had a very significant role in the history of our church. If not, see if you can find it. That’s a real
challenge.

— Nels Hanson

November, 2003

Our Church, Many SM Homes, Designed by Famous Architect

As a trivia question, in what year was the UUCCSM sanctuary at 18th and Arizona built? Answer: 1930. The architect was John Byers, who also designed the nearby Miles Playhouse in 1929 (north of Lincoln and Wilshire, in Christine Emerson Reed Park, formerly known as Lincoln Park). Both structures were designed in the Spanish Colonial revival style.

The Miles Playhouse, renovated by the City of Santa Monica several years after the January 1994 Northridge earthquake, was given to the city by J. Euclid Miles, a prominent realtor and civic leader who was one of the creators of the Mayfair Theatre (214 Santa Monica Blvd., originally called the Majestic Theatre), which was made uninhabitable by the Northridge earthquake and remains condemned.

Santa Monica-based (for both his residence and business) architect John Byers designed dozens of homes in Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and Santa Monica for 30 years, from 1916 through 1946. His first commission, in 1916, was the home of W.F. Barnum, principal of Santa Monica High School from 1914 to 1943. After the automobile grew in popularity in the
1920s, Santa Monica experienced a significant building boom. As one example, in 1924 Byers obtained a building
permit to construct an eight-room, two-bath dwelling at 2034 La Mesa Drive with an estimated cost of $15,000; the permit listed Byers as the owner, architect, and builder.

In the period between WWI and WWII, John Byers made more of an impact on the Santa Monica architectural landscape than any other local practitioner. He also designed many homes for celebrities in Bel Air, and one of the most notable buildings was the John Thomas Dye School. He explored the possibilities of a number of styles, including Spanish, Mexican, and Monterey, and was most known for his adobe-designed buildings, including, of course, our own church. When he died in 1966, he lived at 246 26th St. in Santa Monica.

— Rob Briner

Sources: “Looking at Santa Monica” by Jim Lunsford (self-published, 1983); City Landmark Assessment Report, John Byers (Third) Residence, 2034 La Mesa Drive, City of Santa Monica Planning Division (July 2, 2003)