OUR HISTORY

First Congregational Church of Redlands has had the benefit and blessing of historians to help record the history of our church. Below you will find a small sample of our history, which includes pictures and excerpts from books written by our congregants.

As member Doris R. Radford wrote years ago, this is "a story of those who, down through the years, have given of themselves, their time and their talents to make our church outstanding in the community and its service to God and man."

The Beginning

After years of prayer meetings and informal worship, local pioneers formalized their gatherings by starting a Sunday school in the schoolhouse on the corner of Church Street and Lugonia Ave.

Sunday school led to preaching services, and then eventually, on April 18, 1880, nineteen members drafted a church constitution, and the church was officially organized.

Between 1882 and 1885, the "building of our first church edifice at the corner of Church Street and the Terrace, took place on two and one-half acres of land donated by Mr. Judson and Mr. Brown, co-founders of the city-to-be known as Redlands."

  • 1. Lugonia Schoolhouse -- Meeting place in 1880

  • 2. The first church building, erected in 1882 at the corner of Church St. and The Terrace

  • 3. Interior of the Lugonia Terrace Church (between 1889-1898)

  • 4. The church on The Terrace (right foreground) with snow-capped San Bernardino mountain range - "A day's ride from the city" - 1887

FCC's first building in Redlands

On March 9, 1890, the chapel pictured above, now known as the Chapel of the Grail, was dedicated and utilized by the congregation for ten years. (A fun fact- the chapel cost approximately $6,500 for the lot, the building, and the construction.)

By 1899, the chapel was at capacity, and people were turned away. Thankfully, congregants and leaders had the foresight and faith to begin planning to increase the facilities at pace with the growing congregation. The culmination of these plans led to a service held on April 23rd, 1899, where the pastor, Dr. John H. Williams, preached on “Building the House,” with a picture of the new sanctuary on the blackboard behind him.

In less than 30 minutes, the $15,000 needed to begin breaking ground was pledged! So, construction began in August of 1899…

  • 1. The "parking lot" on the corner of Cajon and Olive before construction began.

  • 2. A service held for "Laying the Corner Stone" in anticipation of the construction that would soon begin.

  • 3. Framing the building

  • 4. Framing the lower wall

  • 5. Roof framing

  • 6. The first wall in place

  • 7. One of the stone arches

  • 8. Connecting the older building with the new

  • 9. Working on the tower

  • 10. Framing of the interior arches in the Sanctuary

  • 11. The finished arches

Transformation

The facilities of First Congregational Church of Redlands have changed many times over its 143-year history. Some changes are barely perceptible, while others have transformed how the church has gathered and worshipped. Realistically, over the years, the buildings of FCC often became a worshipful and practical expression of the members and leaders. However, our facilities have never been and never should be the singular expression of the church.

This is why spiritual vibrancy through music, the study of Scripture, the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ, meaningful fellowship, and active missionary work (both local and abroad) have been so critical to FCC.

FCC Throughout the Decades

At times, a picture is worth more than a thousand words. So, in the spirit of this well-known saying, below you will find photographs to help you envision FCC, a church that has ebbed and flowed through time!