True to its calling, Santee Christian Church has served God. It has also served the Santee community for over 100 years. Santee Christian Church stands as a testimony to God’s faithfulness. The area around Santee Christian Church changed. Effective ministry has continued.
The Santee United Methodist Church started with earnest Christians. They met in the old Santee Elementary School. It was on Mission Gorge and Edgemoor Drive. Afternoon services were held. People of several denominations attended. The women started a Ladies Aid Group. They wanted to establish a house of worship. A meeting was held at L.I. Porter’s home. They decided on the denomination for the church.
The church would be the Santee Methodist Episcopal Church. Soon it became known as Santee Community Church. It was chartered by the State of California. The first Methodist service was held in the Santee schoolhouse. It was at 4 PM on Sunday, June 4, 1911. Reverend Frank Edwards read a letter of Paul to the Corinthians. On June 25, 1911, thirty-three people joined. Work began on building the new church. The total cost was $4,100. This was after a great deal of volunteer labor. The amount was paid in full. The Santee Christian Church was dedicated in 1912.
Fellowship Hall was built in 1949. This happened under the leadership of Reverend Arthur Huckaby. The church school wing, kitchen and offices were added later. The original sanctuary was taken apart in November 1968. The material was given to people of Mexico. The existing congregation worshipped in Fellowship Hall. It had been transformed into an attractive sanctuary.
During Reverend Karen Jeanette’s appointment from 1977-1979, building plans were drawn up. These plans were for a new sanctuary. A finance campaign began. First Street was discontinued by the city. It became part of the church property. This provided enough area for a parking lot.
Arrangements were made in 1979. They were made with the Board of Global Ministries in New York. A $90,000 loan was agreed upon. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new sanctuary was held on July 31. The project was completed a year and a half later.
The Santee Christian Church congregation felt a need for more space. They began an expansion program in the mid-1990s. A new pastor’s office was built in 1995. Four new classrooms were also added. Sunshine Hall was added to the existing facility too. Santee Christian Church looks forward to continued growth. The church anticipates expansion, renewal and revitalization.