“People Bringing People to Christ.” That’s the motto of Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church. It encapsulates the spirit of this welcoming community. This church has a rich history. It reflects the evolution of Pacific Beach itself.
The story of Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church begins in September 1888. The community was brand new. Rev. C. S. Sprecher founded the church. He also helped found the San Diego College of Letters. The college opened the same month. It stood where Pacific Plaza is today.
In 1889, the church acquired land across from the college. A year later, they moved a building there. This became their first church building. The Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church is still there. It stands at the corner of Garnet Avenue and Jewell Street. The original wooden church was replaced in 1941. The current building is in the mission style.
The college closed in 1891. Pacific Beach then became known for lemon cultivation. However, many lemon ranchers were not Presbyterians. In 1901, a Methodist congregation formed. At first, the Methodists met at the Presbyterian church.
In 1904, the Methodists bought ten lots. These lots were at the corner of Lamont and Emerald streets. They modified an existing building for their church. By 1906, real estate speculation boosted the population. This also grew church congregations.
Fundraising for a new Methodist church was creative. They held a box social. Young ladies prepared dinners for two in decorated boxes. The boxes were auctioned off to young men. The men then shared the meal with the box’s creator. The proceeds went to the church. The boxes were supposed to be anonymous.
Instead of enlarging their church, the Methodists bought a large building. This building was once a dance pavilion. It overlooked the beach near Grand Avenue. Lemon rancher Sterling Honeycutt bought the pavilion in 1896. He moved it to Hornblend and Morrell streets. He converted it into a lemon packing plant. By 1906, the lemon business declined. Honeycutt donated the packing house to the Methodist Church. In February 1907, the “beautiful church edifice” was dedicated after $2,500 in repairs.
In 1912, the old Methodist church property was sold. The Davises built a home there. The Methodists worshiped at Hornblend and Morrell until 1922. Then, the building was sold and torn down. For 25 years, Methodists attended services elsewhere.
In the 1940s, the population surged. A new Pacific Beach Methodist Church formed in 1947. Rev. Alfred Hughes led the congregation. They met in a building built for the Wee Kirk by-the-Sea.
The school district then proposed an “exchange of functions”. The elementary school would move to the junior high site. The junior high would take over the elementary school site. The school superintendent acquired property south of the school. This included the Methodist church.
In 1948, the school board offered the Methodist church $36,000. Rev. Hughes accepted. The Methodists dedicated a site for a new church. It was at the corner of Ingraham and Thomas streets. Former barracks buildings from Camp Callan became church buildings. A new sanctuary was built in 1959.
Today, Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church embraces all people. They expand Christ’s call to love one another. They live their faith journey. They deepen their life of prayer and meditation. They nurture children in Christian learning and love. The church reaches out in Christian service. It practices Christian stewardship. It witnesses to Jesus Christ in daily living. It stands as a testament to faith. It reflects community spirit. It is truly “People Bringing People to Christ”.