Church of Our Savior

Gazing at the Church of Our Savior, has anyone ever stopped to think about its humble beginnings? This wasn’t always the grand structure we see today. The Church of Our Savior started as a simple Sunday school in 1867. It was the first Protestant church in the San Gabriel Valley. The dream began with Mrs. Frances Vinton of Rhode Island. In 1859, she envisioned sharing God’s glory across the land. The Sunday school blossomed. Services began to attract prominent figures of early California history. The Wilson family, notably Don Benito Wilson, were among the attendees. Mrs. Vinton’s dream took a significant leap forward. She sent $2500 in cash via stagecoach. The money went to the Los Angeles Diocese to buy land on Roses Road and build a church. The Church of Our Savior stands as a testament to her vision. The church houses a magnificent stained-glass window dedicated to General George S. Patton. Donated by his children in 1946, the window depicts Saint George slaying a dragon. The dragon’s scales are Nazi swastikas. The window incorporates symbols of the units under Patton’s command and key battles of World War II. The church also possesses a traditional baptismal font. While General Patton isn’t buried here, a statue of him stands at the nearby San Gabriel Cemetery. The cemetery, dating back to 1872, is the final resting place for many prominent San Gabriel Valley pioneers. This includes Don Benito Wilson and the families of Henry Huntington and Laura Scudder. From a simple Sunday school to a historic church, the Church of Our Savior’s journey is a testament to faith and community.