A Long History of Centerville Presbyterian Church
The following section is the report of Mr. Robert E. Wright from his 1972 research of the Church Records.
The minutes of June 4, 1853, tell us that at a meeting of a number of professing Christians in Alameda Valley, previously appointed for the purpose of taking steps preparatory to the organization of a church, Rev. W. W. Brier was called to the Chair and Charles Hilton appointed Secretary. Charles Kelsey was chosen Elder pro tempore.
After prayer by the Moderator the following Memorial was presented: We, the undersigned, desiring the ordinances of God’s house, do hereby request the Rev. W. W. Brier to organize us into a church of Jesus Christ to be known by the name of the “Alameda Presbyterian Church,” and to be placed under the care of the Presbytery of San Francisco.
It was resolved that the organization take place on the Sabbath, June 5, in J. M. Horner’s School House. J. M. Horner’s School House was located at that time where, many years later, Fremont Blvd. crosses the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks in Centerville. Later the school house building was moved to Irvington, then called “Washington.”
Dr. J. M. Selfridge and Rev. W. W. Brier were appointed to report by-laws for the Church under the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church of these United States.
The next day was Sunday, June 5, 1853, and the minutes of that meeting tell us that “At the close of a sermon, Rev. W. W. Brier read the petition contained in the foregoing minutes, and after a Solemn Act of Prayer, declared the persons whose names are thereunto subscribed duly and regularly organized into a Church of Jesus Christ. By a unanimous vote Charles Hilton was chosen to the office of Ruling Elder
Two weeks later, on June 19, 1853, “After public services Charles Hilton was set apart to the office of Ruling Elder by a prayer offered by the minister, Rev. W. W. Brier.”
Four weeks later, Sunday, July 17, the first administration of the Sacraments in the new church took place: the Lord’s Supper to the congregation and a baptism. It is interesting to note that the person baptized was Mary Brier, seven month old daughter of Rev. W. W. and Elizabeth A. Brier. She was born November 27, 1852. The Rev. A. F. White performed the ceremony.
November 9, 1853, the Alameda Presbyterian Church became a part of the San Francisco Presbytery and Charles Hilton its delegate.
On February 26, 1854, Mrs. Jane Beard was received into membership by letter from the Second Presbyterian Church of Lafayette, Indiana. Mrs. Jane Makemie Ellsworth Beard was a great grand-daughter of Fancis Makemie, the Presbyterian minister who came to the Maryland-Virginia region from Donegal, Ireland in 1683. The tireless zeal and energy of Francis Makemie resulted in a large increase in numbers and the consolidation of the Presbyterian elements, so that in 1706 a Presbytery was organized in Philadelphia—the first on the continent.
The first mention of Sabbath School is July 2, 1854, at which time a collection of $58.00 was taken for Sabbath School books. Interest in missionary work is evidenced by a collection being taken in October 1854 for the American Home Missionary Society amounting to $25.
On February 24, 1855, two weeks’ notice having been given, a meeting of the Alameda Presbyterian Church was held at the Horner’s School House in Centerville for the purpose of electing Trustees for the Church.
J. A. Mayhew, Jessie Beard, Charles Kelsey, Henry Clark, and Chancy Cornell were elected. It was stipulated that the Board of Trustees and their successors were to be styled forever “Trustees of Alameda Presbyterian Church” to hold in trust all property, real and personal of the church and to manage the temporality thereof.
On May 12, 1855 the Trustees met and organized. Jessie Beard was elected President, Rev. W. W. Brier was elected Treasurer, and Chancy Cornell Secretary. Rev. Brier was authorized “to take subscriptions for the purpose of building a house of worship for Alameda Presbyterian Church. Also to select and purchase a lot of ground for said building.”
The Trustees’ minutes tell us that on July 2, 1855 the Trustees met and the Treasurer reported subscriptions to the amount of some $1500. He also reported the donation of a lot of ground by (G. A. Lloyd on which to erect the house of worship for which said subscriptions had been made. At this meeting the Trustees voted to contract with Charles B. Tool to build the church building. The details of the construction contract are to be found in the Trustees’ minutes book. The building to be forty-four feet long and twenty-four feet wide. The walls of brick. The walls above the ground to be seventeen feet, six inches high gothic gables. The work to be done within nine weeks from the time of commencing. Rev. W. W. Brier was appointed to superintend the building of the church.
On January 28, 1856, the Trustees met to hear the report of the building superintendent, Rev. W. W. Brier. Money received and disbursed, $2308. Yet due, $900. Total, $3208. His report was accepted and the superintendent discharged.
The minutes of October 6, 1855 tell us that at a meeting of the Alameda Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Mr. Daniels as Moderator, it was resolved to call a pastor. (Rev. Brier, until now, was Stated Supply). A vote was taken by ballot and Rev. W. W. Brier received a unanimous call. Next it was resolved that, provided the Eden Presbyterian Church concur, the Rev. W. W. Brier, who was discharging the duties of pastor in the two churches, should be entitled to receive sixteen hundred dollars as a yearly fixed salary, to be paid quarterly.
On January 27, 1856 in accordance with a call presented the Alameda and Eden Presbyterian Churches to Rev. W. W. Brier and accepted by him, a committee appointed by the Presbytery of San Francisco installed W. W. Brier pastor jointly over the two churches.
Rev. W. W. Brier, by a solemn act of prayer dedicated the new brick church erected in Centerville by the Alameda Presbyterian Church congregation. A subscription of $162.50 was taken for the purpose of procuring a bell, lamps, sofa, chairs and table. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered. Rev. Sam B. Bell and Rev. W, W. Brier officiating. The day was beautiful and the people rejoiced.
During the next four years the usual church matters apparently went smoothly along with baptisms, new members coming in from the East—Indiana, New York State, Michigan, Vermont, Texas and Wisconsin. The ladies were active—in April of 1857 they had a “Ladies Festival” for two days in which they made $326 and in November a Thanksgiving Supper at which they made $169 for church expenses. There were the usual financial troubles—difficulty in getting the pastor’s salary. The minutes of May l, 1856 say that W. W. Brier donated his services to the church from January to date. The trustees voted to pay him $1,000 for the ensuing year, but finding that subscriptions obtained for the support of the pastor amounted to $660 they voted to accept his offer to preach for $700 for the year commencing on May l, 1857 and ending on May l, 1858 to be paid one-half of the $700 on the first of November and one-half on the first of April following.
Thanks to the money raised by the “Ladies Festival”, $326.80, and the Thanksgiving Supper, $169.20, and subscription by Dr. Selfridge of $195, totaling $691, the Trustees were able to pay all debts on the church building. The estimated value of the two and one-half acres of land and the church building thereon was $3300.
November 24, 1859, the contract to build the church steeple for $250 was let to John Joyce of Centerville. The Treasurer’s book shows payment of $250 to John Joyce. $140 January 18, 1860 and $110 February 11, 1860 for building the church steeple.
The Session minutes book, under date of September 26, 1860, indicate that the Alameda Church in Centerville is in the San Jose Presbytery and that Rev. W. W. Brier is the Stated Clerk of Presbytery. There has been nothing written stating when the Alameda Church ceased being in the San Francisco Presbytery and became part of the San Jose Presbytery.
The first mention of the Overacker family is in the Treasurer’s book under the date of December 28, 1862, where is recorded a money contribution by Howard Overacker. For well over a hundred years this family has had a substantial part in maintaining this church. The Overacker Circle gets its name from this family. Michael J. Overacker was elected a Trustee January 20, 1868.
In the Spring of 1868 the Trustees decided to make some repairs on the church, some painting, including the fence, and plant some trees in the cemetery. In due time this was done and the work progressed normally to completion. On October 15, 1868, the Board of Trustees met and the committee on church repairs reported the work completed. and presented a statement of receipts and expenditures by which it appeared that the sum of $152 remained due for painting, etc.
One week later, October 21, came the earthquake, so damaging the church as to make it untenable. The Methodist Church was used. Work proceeded in repairing the damage done which included repairing the walls on the inside and removing the bricks on the outside and replacing them with wood siding.
On October 20, 1874, the Presbytery of San Jose met in the Church at Centerville to install Rev. P. Alexander, the fifth pastor since the resignation of Rev. W. W. Brier September 26, 1860.
On January 20, 1868, Rev. W. W. Brier was elected a Trustee.
It is interesting that the note of $300, made by the Trustees dated January 8, 1861, in favor of Mr. Brier to pay him for his services, was surrendered to the Trustees on January 23, 1869, over eight years after it was made, upon which $220 had been paid leaving a balance, principal and interest of $183 still due on the note which Mr. Brier donated to the church, and the note was canceled.
The last use of the name “Alameda Presbyterian Church” was in the November 19, 1871, Session minutes, and the first use of the name “Centerville Presbyterian Church” is in the August 17, 1873, Session minutes.
Congregational Meeting May 20, 1874, to elect five Trustees. Rev. W. W. Brier one of the five elected.
October 20, 1874, the Presbytery of San Jose met in the church at Centerville to install Rev. P. Alexander.
The Trustees meeting February 1, 1879, agreed to pay the janitor, Mr. Crowthers, fifty cents per week.
On September 6, 1882, the Trustees voted to install new pews in the church.
On August 5, 1886, W. W. Brier, Jr. was ordained to the office of Ruling Elder.
On October 31, 1886, the matter of building a parsonage was brought before the congregation. A Committee was elected to raise the money. On June 19, 1887; the Committee reported having subscriptions of $1400. Plans were made and bids called for. There were three bids. They were for $1790, $2025 and $1840, The Trustees rejected all Bids and put a maximum cost of $1500 for the building, Then on motion passed the Building Committee was authorized to go ahead with the building in consideration that the Building Committee become responsible for whatever balance may be due upon the manse at its completion not to exceed $500.
The membership of the church on September 28, 1890, was 29, as shown by the payment of $2.90 for Assembly assessments of ten cents per member. And also on April. 19, 1891 $2.90, the Presbytery assessment.
A report to the Trustees on January l4, 1891, by the Secretary of money received and expended from December 15, I889, to January l, 1891, was as follows:
Received from Festival $ 7.90 Thanksgiving collection 6.30 Mrs. Patterson (sewing society) 9.45 From church collections and subscriptions 449.65 The record reads $ 449.65 (The correct total is $473.30)
Expenditures April 2, 1890 paid to Presbytery $ 3.00 April 4, 1890 paid to Presbytery 3.00 To Pastor for service from December 15, 1889 to January l, 1890 20.00 Tax on church property 20.00 Premium on insurance policy 13.50 Paid Pastor on salary 423.65 The record reads $ 483.30 (The correct total is $483.15)On October 26, 1891, the Session admitted to membership Mr. James B. Fair, Mr. John Fair and Margaret Fair by letter from the M. E. Church of Galve, Iowa. Mr. James B. Fair was elected a Trustee in January, 1896, and served through 1910. He was ordained a Ruling Elder on June 5, 1898, became Clerk of Session March 31, 1906, and continued to be Elder and Clerk of Session until his death October l, 1935, having served as Elder of the Centerville Presbyterian Church for 37 years. Mr. Fair’s years of membership numbered nearly 45. His daughters, Edith and Margaret are still active in the church at this writing in 1972.
April l1, 1892, the Session minutes give the Annual Report to Presbytery, a portion of which is: Elders, 2; added on certificate, 8; total of communicants, 40; baptisms, 1 infant; Sabbath School membership, 30.
About 1894 the church became part of the San Francisco Presbytery. The record does not show when it left the San Jose Presbytery.
The Annual Report in April 1894 to Presbytery is, in part, Elders, 2; added on examination, 2; total, 38 members. Adults baptized, l; infants baptized, 3; Sunday School, 55.
The Elders at this time were W. W. Brier, Jr. and F. H. Hilton.
During the year ending March 31, 1895, the church enrollment increased 18 to 56 and the Sabbath School increased 13 to 68.
Annual Report to Presbytery April 5, 1896: Elders, 2; members, 55; Sabbath School, 57.
1897 statistics; Elders, 2; members, 38; Sabbath School, 45.
1898 report to Presbytery; Elders, 2; added on certificate, l; dismissed, 9; total members, 29.
1899 report to Presbytery of membership: Elders, 4; added on examination, l; by certificate, 4; dismissed and dropped, 2; total members, 34. Sabbath School membership, 58.
The April l, 1900, report to Presbytery: Elders, 4; dismissed and dropped, 4; deceased l; total members, 29; Sabbath School membership, 52. Home missions, $20; Foreign Missions, $20; aid to colleges, $2.90; General Assembly, $5.95; Congregational, $495; Miscellaneous, $6.
On June 2, 1901, Mrs. Margaret Ann Overacker was received by letter. At this writing in 1972 she continues to be a member.
At the September, 1901, Session meeting Elder W. W. Brier and Mrs. Helen Brier were dismissed to the First Church, Berkeley. Mr. Brier, son of Rev. W. W. Brier, the organizing pastor, had been Ruling Elder since September 1886—15 years.
At the December, 1901, meeting of the Session Rev. W. C. Gunn reported to Elders James H. Fair and Justus Overacker that on August 25th Margaret Abbie, child of James and Abbie Crocker Fair was baptized, Rev. T. M. Gunn, D.D. officiating.
The Annual Report of April, 1902, shows the church membership down to 26, and the Sabbath School membership up to 7l.
190l, the minister’s salary was $400.
On January l, 1907, the church lost by death one of its most highly respected and beloved members, Ruling Elder Mr. Frederick B. Hilton. Mr. Hilton was born in Nova Scotia in 1818 and came to California in 1867, settling in Centerville. He identified himself with this church in 1869 by letter from the Congregational Church of Chebague, Nova Scotia. (See Session minutes November 20, 1871).
The Session minutes of December 6, 1874, mention Elder F. H. Hilton and these minutes are signed by F. H. Hilton as Clerk. So he was a Ruling Elder in 1874. He continued so until his death on January l, 1907, at the age of 88 years. 33 years a Ruling Elder; Clerk 32 years.
On March 29, 1910, the Session met. Present were Elder Fair and Rev. Houston. The object of the meeting was to prepare the Annual Report for Presbytery. The Report, in part:
Number of Elders 1 Total of members 25 Infants Baptized 1 Place on retired list 6 Sunday School membership 44followed by the money contributions made during the year.
The Annual Report to be presented to Presbytery at the 1912 Spring meeting was as follows:
Elder 1 Members on Examination 8 Deceased 1 Total members 34 Baptisms—adult 3 Roll Sabbath School 48 Roll Christian Endeavor 28 Roll Knights of King Arthur 22 Roll Queens of Avalon 16 Roll Ladies Aid 30
Benevolences: Home Missions $ 48 Foreign Missions 36 Education 4 Sabbath School Work 10 Church Erection 3 Relief Fund 3 Freedmen 3 College Board 3 Temperance 3 Congregational 663 Miscellaneous 4 American Bible Society 3
Summary Congregational $ 663 Benevolences (record) 110 (correct) 120On March 8, 1914, a special meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to consider the state of the church. After some general discussion it was agreed to recommend to the annual meeting that Rev. Mr. Herriott be asked to remain until the Summer vacation and that the opening of the church in the Fall be left for further consideration. Unless conditions improve in the community it was thought best to close the church.
The conditions in the community must have improved for they did not close the church, as Trustees thought might be necessary. The small group continued to maintain the House of Worship and provide Christian Services in the Presbyterian way for those who wished to attend.
The minutes note that the Rev. James M. McElhinney became Pastor in February, 1920.
In April ,1923, the Annual Report for Presbytery shows that the Session still consisted of one Ruling Elder, Mr. James B. Fair. This was Mr. Fair’s 25th consecutive year. During this year one new member was added and one dismissed. The church membership numbered 14 and the Sunday School membership was 29. The 1924 report: One Elder, one new member, one dismissed, 14 members. Sunday School, 23. One infant baptism.
An interesting item in the Session minutes of this same year was that Rev. John L. Campbell, B.A., B.D. of the Presbytery of Westminster of British Columbia, Canada, was at his own request, accepted as a communicant member of this congregation.
The 1925 report tells us that two were added by certificate, 1 was dismissed, 1 was suspended, and 1 crossed the Great Divide making a total membership of 13. Sunday School 22. Money disbursed $885.60.
The March 1926 Session meeting was in Oakland at the bedside of the temporary residence of Elder James B. Fair, 3009 Brooks Street. Present were Rev. James M. McElhinney and James B. Fair, Clerk. Several persons were admitted to membership. One from Austin, Texas and two from Findlay, Ohio.
An entry in the Session minutes book states: “Elder James B. Fair passed from this life October l, 1935, having served as Elder of the Centerville Presbyterian Church for 37 years. Elder Fair endeared himself to his church by his consistent faithful service.”
Rev. James M. McElhinney submitted his resignation from the pastorate of the Centerville and Alvarado Churches on account of ill health. The resignation to become effective February 1, 1937. He had served the congregation for 17 years.
On April 4, 1938, at a Congregational meeting at the church Trustees elected were: Mr. M. J. Overacker, Dr. W. L. McWhirter, Mrs. J. S. Bell, and Mrs. C. E. Anderson; Elders elected: Mrs. J. S. Bell and Mrs. G. E. Anderson. These Elders Mesdames Bell and Anderson, are the first elected since the death of Mr. James B. Fair who died October 1, 1935. Rev. James M. McElhinney, the pastor, did the things customarily done by a Session during the two and one half years the Centerville Church had no Session.
At the November, 1938, Session meeting Mrs. Olive O. Anderson was appointed Clerk. She continued on this important church work through April, 1943.
On April 6, 194l, Miss Margaret Fair was elected a Trustee, following in the footsteps of her father, Mr. James B. Fair, who was Elder and Trustee for 37 years.
Mr. Michael Justus Overacker, a member of this church since 1899, died November 8, 1946. Mr. Overacker served this church for many years as Elder and Trustee. At a Congregational meeting December 8, 1946, Mrs. Margaret Overacker, widow of Michael Justus Overacker, was Elected Elder and Trustee, and Mrs. Margaret Chadbourne, daughter of Michael Justus and Margaret Overacker, was elected Treasurer.
At the Easter service in l949 our new Choir sang its first Anthem. It was accompanied by the new organ which was purchased with money left to the church by Mr. John Fair.
Mr. Howard Steward, our new Student Pastor, asked for suggestions for a name for the new Choir. Edward Wright, a boy of 15, suggested “Centerian”, as a contraction of Centerville-Presbyterian, and that name was adopted.
Our pastor, Mr. Howard Steward, moved his family from San Anselmo into the parsonage on the church grounds and spent his weekends here. During the week he was at the Seminary at San Anselmo. When he was in Centerville he was busy calling on people, inviting them to come to church. As a result of his efforts, our membership began to grow. Mr. Steward came in February, 1949. In March there were 4 new members, in June 13, September 7, and in December, 12 new members, making a total of 36 new members in 1949.
Our Choir grew and improved under the direction of Mr. Dwight Thornburg. The performance of Mrs. Earl Mackintosh was highly praiseworthy at the organ.
The proposed budget for 1950 was $2500. The pastor’s salary was increased from $125 per month to $150. The Session recommended calling Mr. Steward to be full time pastor from the date of his ordination (April 8, 1951) at $3,000 per year, living quarters and participation in the pension program.
In 1951 the old manse was sold and a modern home was built for our ministers. This home, together with the youth building (now known as “Bransby Hall”) built in 1953, were moved to the new church site on Central Avenue.
On November 6, 1952, a Congregational meeting was called to accept the resignation of Mr. Howard Steward, who had accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church of Carson City, Nevada. A pulpit committee was elected with Ralph Logan as Chairman.
At the December l4, 1952, Session meeting, Dr. Paul H. Buchholz was selected as the Interim Pastor and served for eleven months preceding the call to Dr. Tom Fuhr.
On Sunday, June 7, 1953, the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Centerville Presbyterian Church was appropriately observed.
At the June 8, 1953 meeting of the Congregation, a call was extended to the Dr. Tom Fuhr to serve as the next pastor of the Centerville Presbyterian Church.
By 1955 the church had outgrown its home of nearly a hundred years and 4 acres of land was purchased on Central Avenue for $21,500 on which to build new church buildings. It was decided to build first a Fellowship Hall, Sunday School buildings, Church office, Pastor’s Study, Kitchen and Fireside Room. Groundbreaking services were held on Sunday April 8, 1956, the first worship service Sunday, September 16, 1956, and the dedication service Sunday, November 18, 1956. One hundred years and nine months after the dedication of the first church building. Our membership at this time had passed the 300 mark.
A special meeting of the Congregation was called by the Session for November 8, 1959, to consider Dr. Tom Fuhr’s resignation after 6-1/2 years with the church to take a year’s sabbatical leave. A Pastor-seeking Committee was elected at the Annual Congregational Meeting on January 21, 1960. Dr. James Millar was called by the Session as Interim Pastor to serve with Dr. C. Carson Bransby, Assistant Minister who had been working with the youth of the church since January 1, 1957·
On Sunday, July 24, 1960, the installation service of Rev. A. Lorin Ridings was held by the Presbytery of San Francisco. Under his leadership Westminster Hall was built and dedicated to meet the needs of the growing church school, and on April 8, 1962 ground breaking ceremonies initiated the construction of the Sanctuary, which was dedicated Sunday, February 10, 1963. Our membership at this time was 725.
The Rev. Raymond Kay Brown was called by the Session on September 23, 1962 to serve as Assistant Minister on the Staff. With the retirement of Dr. C. Carson Bransby to take place in 1965, the Congregation made plans to call an Associate Pastor. The Rev. Robert A. Morrison was installed as Associate Pastor on October 25, 1964, and served for three years. The Assistant Minister, the Rev. Raymond Kay Brown resigned on February 15, 1965, to take a pastorate in Pender Nebraska.
The Rev. Alan Reutter was ordained on October 24, 1965, and served as Assistant Minister in the Centerville Church until September 30, 1968. In June 1968, the Rev. Deane F. Babbitt joined the Staff and in December of the same year, the Rev. R. Kennan Smith was called by the Session as an additional Assistant Minister.
At the retirement of Dr. Ridings in September, 1970, our membership had grown to about 1250 and the Sunday School to about 600. A Pastor Seeking Committee was elected and commenced their task of finding a Senior Pastor.
For an Interim Pastor Dr. C. Yin White, just retired from a Waterloo, Iowa, Presbyterian Church, was secured. During the two years of his leadership Dr. White and his wife Margaret, so endeared themselves to the congregation that it was hard to see them go.
After much diligent and devoted seeking for the right man to be the Senior Minister of our church the Reverend Bruce A. Giles was chosen and installed on October l, 1972.
Compiled from the Church Records by Mr. Robert E. Wright - 1972.