A Quick Look at Holy Trinity's beginnings...
The inspiration behind a coastal Anglican Church in San Diego was first expressed in the Spring of 1921 by Mrs. Julia Taverner McGarvey and brought into fruition through the service of retired missionary Dr. George Wallace and the faithful women of the area. Trinity Mission held its first service on Sunday afternoon, May 22, 1921 at the home (porch) of Mrs. T.S. Markly on Long Branch Ave. in Ocean Beach, San Diego. It is recorded that 12 members were in attendance. Trinity Mission became Holy Trinity Parish in 1957 and was a founding member of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego in January 1, 1974.
The inspiration behind a coastal Anglican Church in San Diego was first expressed in the Spring of 1921 by Mrs. Julia Taverner McGarvey and brought into fruition through the service of retired missionary Dr. George Wallace and the faithful women of the area. Trinity Mission held its first service on Sunday afternoon, May 22, 1921 at the home (porch) of Mrs. T.S. Markly on Long Branch Ave. in Ocean Beach, San Diego. It is recorded that 12 members were in attendance. Trinity Mission became Holy Trinity Parish in 1957 and was a founding member of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego in January 1, 1974.
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A THUMBNAIL SKETCH OF THE BEGINNINGS OF HOLY TRINITY PARISH
1921 - 1926 By Julia Taverner McGarvey, written in 1967 Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Sunset Cliffs and Brighton Avenue, Ocean Beach, San Diego, was the child of its founder's old age. Dr. George Wallace, retired from missionary work in Japan, had celebrated his eightieth birthday when he built the first little chapel at the corner of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard (then DeFoe Street) and Brighton Avenue in 1926. The story of the Mission's first service, held on May 22, 1921, Trinity Sunday, is one of my cherished personal memories. At the time, St. Paul's, in San Diego, was the nearest Episcopal church to the beach. The old Spreckles street car system gave a forty-five minute run into San Diego with long waits between cars... and if it rained, the electric power generally gave out somewhere along the way. You waited philosophically, or you got out and walked, according to how near you might be to your destination. To reach St. Paul's, you transferred at Fourth and Broadway to the Fifth Street line. If you attended the 11:00 service, you could plan on being home by 2:00 PM... if all went well. |
Julia Taverner McGarvey
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In the spring of 1921, Mrs. Carrie Borcherdt, the friend with whom I had been living since the death of my husband the previous October, said she had spoken to Dr. Charles L. Barnes, Rector of St. Paul's and Dean of the San Diego Convocation, about our having services in Ocean Beach. We agreed that we would get busy on the idea when she returned from a trip to Chicago, which she planned to make very soon. Since Mrs. Borcherdt and Dr. Barnes were related by marriage, I had hopes...
I confided my hopes to Mrs. Ada Maude Morgan, another Episcopalian and a close friend of mine. Dr. Barnes had said that he didn't want to start something and have it fail... which always made it much harder to start again. But if we could get eight people to pledge to attend, he would find someone to hold a service on Sunday. Maude Morgan, who became our first organist, was a tall, thin, white-haired Nova Scotian, with a lovely clear English voice and a do-it-now complex. In less than a week she rang me up out of bed one morning to show me a list of twelve people she had signed up.
Since I had met Dr. Barnes at church with Mrs. Borcherdt, she told me to call him and ask if I might see him at the nearest convenient noon hour. I was office secretary at Girl Scout Headquarters, San Diego, at the time.) We planned to meet in town and see him together. I expected her to do the talking since she was more forceful than I. But, that noon, she called to say that she had missed the bus that would bring her in on time. The next one, forty-five minutes later, would be too late and so I would have to see him alone. I had made the date without explaining the purpose of my call because the rumor was that Dr. Barnes was a bit reluctant to start new missions, preferring to build up St. Paul's.
To add another star to his crown, let me say here that I was always quite certain that Mrs. Borcherdt had explained to him that I was a young widow for whose future she was much concerned. He had stopped in his busy life, unhesitatingly offering to help wherever he could. I have always admired the way in which he concealed the surprise he must have felt to be offered, not dark personal problems, but a new mission.
He stressed again his strong feeling against a "flash in the pan", but said that our request had come at a fortunate time. A Dr. George Wallace, lately retired from missionary work in Japan and now residing in Loma Portal, had asked him if there might not be a place nearby where he could continue to work.
In a very few days, Trinity Mission was born on Trinity Sunday, May 22, 1921. The twelve people signed up had grown to twenty when the first service, Evening Prayer, was held at 4:00 PM on the porch of the home of Mrs. T. S. Markley, 5009 Long Branch Avenue. Dean Barnes introduced George Wallace, D.D., and put him in charge. No mission could have been more blessed in its founder than we were in Dr. Wallace. Let me say here that, as a mission not too large and definitely not too prosperous --- we have continued to be singularly blessed in our leadership. These have been fine, sincere, earnest men, every one... as if Dr. Wallace had bequeathed a little of his spirit to Trinity, his last beloved child.
With Dr. Wallace, determined though he was to carry on with his work, there was never any sense of a struggle... just peace, perfect peace, "resting in the Lord". Estelle Wallace, his adoring second wife, and a very young sixty years, had enough "win and wigger" for both. She found his sweet tranquility a bit trying at times. Once, while waiting in the car, (which she always drove) while he finished & conversation at a parishioner's door, she was heard to remark impatiently, "That man would have been a bishop if he hadn't been so lazy". Dr. Wallace had come to the United States from his native England during his boyhood and had served as a missionary in Japan for 18 years. But something about his always dignified manner suggested his British origin.
In his latter years, he and Mrs. Wallace made several trips to visit his daughter, Mrs. Margaret K. Birch, in London.
After the first few services were held at the Markley home on Long branch Avenue, services of Evening Prayer were held in Loring Hall, Newport Avenue below Bacon Street. The rent was nominal and Mrs. E.. Barthell rolled her piano in from her adjoining living room in time for services. Later, Miss Agnes. Ells, most generous and diligent worker, opened her office in the Colan Building, Niagara Avenue at Bacon Street, for services. The service continued to be held at 4:00 PM, with a monthly Communion service. Trinity Mission later moved to one of the Sunset cliff buildings on Abbott Street.
That location was directly across the street from the vacant lot on which the old merry-go-round stood. Every Sunday morning its music started with Trinity's. The merry-go-round was there first, so we all just took it for granted that we were just in hard luck. But one day I happened to be talking to Mr. F.0. Davis, and referred laughingly to the unfortunate timing. He looked both shocked and grieved.
"Why didn't somebody tell me ? " he asked in hurt tones. " I never thought. I've just been coming down and warming up along about eleven. There aren't half a dozen children around before noon."
After that, Maude Morgan's hymn tunes had no merry accompaniment. Mr. Davis lived up to his reputation -- kind and friendly.
In September, 1921, Dr. & Mrs. Wallace left on a trip to England, where they were to visit his daughter, Mrs. Margaret K. Birch of London. Chaplain Ernest W. Wood, stationed at Fort Rosecrans, took over the care of the little Mission in Dr. Wallace's absence. The Woods were a most attractive couple, their little son, "Laddie", a musical genius.
Capt. Wood realized the need for some formal organization. Under his guidance, a Women's Guild was formed on January 5, 1922. There were few rules in its Constitution. The following women were chosen the first officers of the group: President, Mrs. Fanny Cakes; Vice-President, Mrs. Jack Brown; Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. Julia Taverner McGarvey. (Incidentally, this was the only treasurer's job I over held.
With ton regular members, the group bent all efforts toward one goal a Church home. At first, it was very nearly all a women's effort... period. Our original congregation numbered just one man, Cyrus Townsend Brown, a commercial artist. He never failed in helpfulness, but he was rather a hermit, living alone, shy and quiet. He was so far from the typical "he man" that we found him, as our only example of masculinity, a bit amusing.
However, at the time of his death, Vivian Benbough, pretty young wife of the owner of the beach Amusement center where Cyrus had done some work at various times, remarked that "Mr. Brown was one nice old man." The deep conviction in her tone suggested a contrast in her mind with some of the not too nice "he men" concessionaires. The Guild met at the homes of members, in alphabetical order. The 1922 roster showed Miss Alice Baker, her mother, Mrs. Anna B. Baker, Mrs. Carrie Borchordt, Mrs. J.P. Brown, Miss Agnes G. Ells, The Misses Kate and Sarah Hardy, Miss Zola Hickox, Mrs. Herbert W. Martin, Miss Monteith, Mrs. A. M. Morgan, Mrs. Julia T. McGarvey, and Mrs. Ernest W. Wood. Mrs. Margaret Lindefelt was a very frequent visitor.
Afternoons spent with Mrs. Wood at the Fort and with Mrs. Martin in her garden were special occasions. The first money-making project, with that much longed-for little chapel in mind, was a food and apron sale. Held on June 3, 1922, the affair netted $26.30. Another food sale at Cundell's Meat Market made $17.96, and a Christmas sale brought about $40.00.
A musical tea given in July at the home of Mrs. A. W. Anderson was long remembered for the piano numbers presented by Laddie Wood, six-year-old son of Chaplain and Mrs. Wood. Especially amazing was the maturity show in Laddie's own composition, "The Jumping Jack". Refreshments were served by the Junior Guild.
The Christmas sale netted $31.00.
Money-raising efforts were directed mainly toward the purchase of a lot as a building site. In November, the Guild appropriated $105.00 toward the $500. lot which had then been selected, at the corner of Saratoga Avenue and Ebers Street.
But spiritual life went on undeterred by temporary setting. In the Ocean Beach Notes of the San Diego Union, dated December 25, 1921, the following appeared among the Church notices: The principal Communion service will be held at 8:30 this morning, and Evening Prayer with Christmas music at 4 o'clock this afternoon preceded by a Christmas tree for the children of the Sunday School."
In March, from the same column, we quote: "During Lent, a series of character studies will be given at the Episcopal church at 8 by the Rev. Ernest W. Wood, chaplain U.S.A., Fort Rosecrans. This week's subject will be The Life of Elijah as a Study in Decision.. Confirmation class will be held at 7:30 PM. The usual Sunday services will be continued: Bible class at 3:30 PM; Evening Prayer at 4:00, Holy Communion at 8:20 the first Sunday of each month. "
On September 5, 1922, Chaplain Wood called a get-together of members for a three-fold purpose: organization, the choosing of a name, and discussion on buying a lot.
The Parish Council was organized to serve as informal organization until it "might be possible to became an organized mission." The chairman appointed the following officers and department heads who were to serve until Easter Sunday: Miss Agnen G. Ells, treasurer: Mrs. Julia T. McGarvey, secretary; Cyrus Brown, men's representative; Mrs. Fanny Oakes, Guild's representative; Miss Kate Hardy, department of missions; s. Ada Maude Morgan, religious education; Mrs. McGarvey, Christian social service, Miss Ells, finance; and Mrs. Morgan, publicity.
The name, TRINITY MISSION was chosen because the first service was held on Trinity Sunday.
Miss Ells reported $86.00 in the parish treasure; and Mrs. McGarvey, for the Guild, $112.00 in the bank and $10. in the cash box.
It was voted to purchase Ocean Beach lots 25 and 26, block 31, corner of Ebers and Saratoga, at the wanted price of $500.00 as the first step toward the building of a church, and to appropriate $75.00 from the treasury as the first payment. But Council minutes of November 1, 1922, reported $250.00 from the Church Extension Society, to be applied to the lot being purchased at Defoe and Niagara, 100 feet from the corner. Miss Ells reported a cash payment of $300.00, leaving a balance of $150.00 to be paid on or before the end of the year.
Doubtless, the first site was switched to the second, but, at present, even the secretary's memory fails. Neither was the final site, of course.
With all the effort being expended toward fund raising for a church building, Chaplain Wood was urging Church magazines and Sunday School supplies. And Miss Ells, even though treasurer, was supporting him strongly in his call to social service. At this November meeting, the Social Service Committee reported a visit to the Door of Hope.
Chaplain Wood was transferred to Fort Logan, Colorado, in November 2922, and Dr. Wallace, who had returned in late summer, gave his saintly and scholarly guidance to Trinity until the following May, 1923.
The Council continued to meet monthly, and the Guild bi-monthly. A backward look into those early days is a bit startling... new linens promised by St. Paul's, and cruets purchased, 30 cents each. An altar "committee" was discussed, also the establishing of a building fund before the second anniversary. Christmas was celebrated Church and Sunday School, 1922. Sunday School birthday offerings were allotted to the Board of Missions.
Mr. Brown, who served as Trinity's representative at Diocesan meetings, brought back a report from La Mesa, calculated to turn Trinity green with envy. La Mesa, he announced, "by way of inspiration" had just purchased a lot for $8,000.00 and had accumulated $15,000.00 in its building fund.
The Three Hour Service, that Good Friday of 1923, was held in the home of Miss Kate and Miss Sarah Hardy. Dr. Wallace asked that news notices invite "all Christian people of Ocean Beach." The Easter offering added $130.00 to the building fund, bringing it up to about $200.00. Undaunted by La Mesa's opulence, Miss Ells was asked to investigate the advisability of erecting a temporary building at the back of the Church lot, "not to exceed $500.00". Nothing "advisable" materialized.
The Guild's Easter sale that year, termed a "birthday tea", was held at the home of Mrs. Jorgenson of Loma Portal. A gratifying reward for months of busy sewing netted $83.31 for the building fund. By Spring, Dr. Wallace was planning another trip. At the May Council meeting, immediately preceding a farewell reception given for him and Mrs. Wallace, the disposition of the mission was discussed, with no definite answer. But Dr. Wallace assured members it would be cared for.
On February 24, 1923, Dr. Wallace had presented to the Rt. Rev. Bertrand Stevens for confirmation, Edwin Arden Watkins, Jessamine Myers Oakes, and Dulce Orma Turley (now Mrs. Cecil Carr), and Martha Stegmuller.
Dr. Wallace's promise that the mission would be cared for was fulfilled with the coming of the Rev. Arthur C. Dodd, who took charge from May 23 until October, 1924. The Rev. R. Dodd was a very busy man. He was serving as San Diego County Horticulture Inspector during the week. He was from Oceanside. A confirmed bachelor, he had married a widow with two girls and now had a small son of his own. His life was so full of adjustments, he often seemed a bit dazed. But he met them all with earnest sincerity, and the church prospered under his care. His daily work often stole pleasantly into his sermons by way of refreshing illustrations from nature.
The Women's Guild had grown to 21 with 12 to 15 members always to be counted on. Outstanding affairs with the building fund in mind were a July garden party, with musical program, at the home of Mrs. H. M. Martin. mas. Morgan, Russell, and Oakes were on the several committees. Cash netted 34.25, August food sale, $19.35; Christmas apron and food sale at the Cash grocery, $82.75; and a silver tea, $65.75.
NOTE: Dr. George Wallace founded Trinity Mission in the summer of 1921 and saw the corner stone of the first little chapel laid on the site of the present church, corner of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard (then Defoe Street) and Brighton Avenue, on January 6, 1926.
Written by Julia T. McGarvey, 1967
HIGHLIGHTS
In the spring of 1921, Mrs. Carrie Borcherdt, the friend with whom I had been living since the death of my husband the previous October, said she had spoken to Dr. Charles L. Barnes, Rector of St. Paul's and Dean of the San Diego Convocation, about our having services in Ocean Beach. We agreed that we would get busy on the idea when she returned from a trip to Chicago, which she planned to make very soon. Since Mrs. Borcherdt and Dr. Barnes were related by marriage, I had hopes...
I confided my hopes to Mrs. Ada Maude Morgan, another Episcopalian and a close friend of mine. Dr. Barnes had said that he didn't want to start something and have it fail... which always made it much harder to start again. But if we could get eight people to pledge to attend, he would find someone to hold a service on Sunday. Maude Morgan, who became our first organist, was a tall, thin, white-haired Nova Scotian, with a lovely clear English voice and a do-it-now complex. In less than a week she rang me up out of bed one morning to show me a list of twelve people she had signed up.
Since I had met Dr. Barnes at church with Mrs. Borcherdt, she told me to call him and ask if I might see him at the nearest convenient noon hour. I was office secretary at Girl Scout Headquarters, San Diego, at the time.) We planned to meet in town and see him together. I expected her to do the talking since she was more forceful than I. But, that noon, she called to say that she had missed the bus that would bring her in on time. The next one, forty-five minutes later, would be too late and so I would have to see him alone. I had made the date without explaining the purpose of my call because the rumor was that Dr. Barnes was a bit reluctant to start new missions, preferring to build up St. Paul's.
To add another star to his crown, let me say here that I was always quite certain that Mrs. Borcherdt had explained to him that I was a young widow for whose future she was much concerned. He had stopped in his busy life, unhesitatingly offering to help wherever he could. I have always admired the way in which he concealed the surprise he must have felt to be offered, not dark personal problems, but a new mission.
He stressed again his strong feeling against a "flash in the pan", but said that our request had come at a fortunate time. A Dr. George Wallace, lately retired from missionary work in Japan and now residing in Loma Portal, had asked him if there might not be a place nearby where he could continue to work.
In a very few days, Trinity Mission was born on Trinity Sunday, May 22, 1921. The twelve people signed up had grown to twenty when the first service, Evening Prayer, was held at 4:00 PM on the porch of the home of Mrs. T. S. Markley, 5009 Long Branch Avenue. Dean Barnes introduced George Wallace, D.D., and put him in charge. No mission could have been more blessed in its founder than we were in Dr. Wallace. Let me say here that, as a mission not too large and definitely not too prosperous --- we have continued to be singularly blessed in our leadership. These have been fine, sincere, earnest men, every one... as if Dr. Wallace had bequeathed a little of his spirit to Trinity, his last beloved child.
With Dr. Wallace, determined though he was to carry on with his work, there was never any sense of a struggle... just peace, perfect peace, "resting in the Lord". Estelle Wallace, his adoring second wife, and a very young sixty years, had enough "win and wigger" for both. She found his sweet tranquility a bit trying at times. Once, while waiting in the car, (which she always drove) while he finished & conversation at a parishioner's door, she was heard to remark impatiently, "That man would have been a bishop if he hadn't been so lazy". Dr. Wallace had come to the United States from his native England during his boyhood and had served as a missionary in Japan for 18 years. But something about his always dignified manner suggested his British origin.
In his latter years, he and Mrs. Wallace made several trips to visit his daughter, Mrs. Margaret K. Birch, in London.
After the first few services were held at the Markley home on Long branch Avenue, services of Evening Prayer were held in Loring Hall, Newport Avenue below Bacon Street. The rent was nominal and Mrs. E.. Barthell rolled her piano in from her adjoining living room in time for services. Later, Miss Agnes. Ells, most generous and diligent worker, opened her office in the Colan Building, Niagara Avenue at Bacon Street, for services. The service continued to be held at 4:00 PM, with a monthly Communion service. Trinity Mission later moved to one of the Sunset cliff buildings on Abbott Street.
That location was directly across the street from the vacant lot on which the old merry-go-round stood. Every Sunday morning its music started with Trinity's. The merry-go-round was there first, so we all just took it for granted that we were just in hard luck. But one day I happened to be talking to Mr. F.0. Davis, and referred laughingly to the unfortunate timing. He looked both shocked and grieved.
"Why didn't somebody tell me ? " he asked in hurt tones. " I never thought. I've just been coming down and warming up along about eleven. There aren't half a dozen children around before noon."
After that, Maude Morgan's hymn tunes had no merry accompaniment. Mr. Davis lived up to his reputation -- kind and friendly.
In September, 1921, Dr. & Mrs. Wallace left on a trip to England, where they were to visit his daughter, Mrs. Margaret K. Birch of London. Chaplain Ernest W. Wood, stationed at Fort Rosecrans, took over the care of the little Mission in Dr. Wallace's absence. The Woods were a most attractive couple, their little son, "Laddie", a musical genius.
Capt. Wood realized the need for some formal organization. Under his guidance, a Women's Guild was formed on January 5, 1922. There were few rules in its Constitution. The following women were chosen the first officers of the group: President, Mrs. Fanny Cakes; Vice-President, Mrs. Jack Brown; Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. Julia Taverner McGarvey. (Incidentally, this was the only treasurer's job I over held.
With ton regular members, the group bent all efforts toward one goal a Church home. At first, it was very nearly all a women's effort... period. Our original congregation numbered just one man, Cyrus Townsend Brown, a commercial artist. He never failed in helpfulness, but he was rather a hermit, living alone, shy and quiet. He was so far from the typical "he man" that we found him, as our only example of masculinity, a bit amusing.
However, at the time of his death, Vivian Benbough, pretty young wife of the owner of the beach Amusement center where Cyrus had done some work at various times, remarked that "Mr. Brown was one nice old man." The deep conviction in her tone suggested a contrast in her mind with some of the not too nice "he men" concessionaires. The Guild met at the homes of members, in alphabetical order. The 1922 roster showed Miss Alice Baker, her mother, Mrs. Anna B. Baker, Mrs. Carrie Borchordt, Mrs. J.P. Brown, Miss Agnes G. Ells, The Misses Kate and Sarah Hardy, Miss Zola Hickox, Mrs. Herbert W. Martin, Miss Monteith, Mrs. A. M. Morgan, Mrs. Julia T. McGarvey, and Mrs. Ernest W. Wood. Mrs. Margaret Lindefelt was a very frequent visitor.
Afternoons spent with Mrs. Wood at the Fort and with Mrs. Martin in her garden were special occasions. The first money-making project, with that much longed-for little chapel in mind, was a food and apron sale. Held on June 3, 1922, the affair netted $26.30. Another food sale at Cundell's Meat Market made $17.96, and a Christmas sale brought about $40.00.
A musical tea given in July at the home of Mrs. A. W. Anderson was long remembered for the piano numbers presented by Laddie Wood, six-year-old son of Chaplain and Mrs. Wood. Especially amazing was the maturity show in Laddie's own composition, "The Jumping Jack". Refreshments were served by the Junior Guild.
The Christmas sale netted $31.00.
Money-raising efforts were directed mainly toward the purchase of a lot as a building site. In November, the Guild appropriated $105.00 toward the $500. lot which had then been selected, at the corner of Saratoga Avenue and Ebers Street.
But spiritual life went on undeterred by temporary setting. In the Ocean Beach Notes of the San Diego Union, dated December 25, 1921, the following appeared among the Church notices: The principal Communion service will be held at 8:30 this morning, and Evening Prayer with Christmas music at 4 o'clock this afternoon preceded by a Christmas tree for the children of the Sunday School."
In March, from the same column, we quote: "During Lent, a series of character studies will be given at the Episcopal church at 8 by the Rev. Ernest W. Wood, chaplain U.S.A., Fort Rosecrans. This week's subject will be The Life of Elijah as a Study in Decision.. Confirmation class will be held at 7:30 PM. The usual Sunday services will be continued: Bible class at 3:30 PM; Evening Prayer at 4:00, Holy Communion at 8:20 the first Sunday of each month. "
On September 5, 1922, Chaplain Wood called a get-together of members for a three-fold purpose: organization, the choosing of a name, and discussion on buying a lot.
The Parish Council was organized to serve as informal organization until it "might be possible to became an organized mission." The chairman appointed the following officers and department heads who were to serve until Easter Sunday: Miss Agnen G. Ells, treasurer: Mrs. Julia T. McGarvey, secretary; Cyrus Brown, men's representative; Mrs. Fanny Oakes, Guild's representative; Miss Kate Hardy, department of missions; s. Ada Maude Morgan, religious education; Mrs. McGarvey, Christian social service, Miss Ells, finance; and Mrs. Morgan, publicity.
The name, TRINITY MISSION was chosen because the first service was held on Trinity Sunday.
Miss Ells reported $86.00 in the parish treasure; and Mrs. McGarvey, for the Guild, $112.00 in the bank and $10. in the cash box.
It was voted to purchase Ocean Beach lots 25 and 26, block 31, corner of Ebers and Saratoga, at the wanted price of $500.00 as the first step toward the building of a church, and to appropriate $75.00 from the treasury as the first payment. But Council minutes of November 1, 1922, reported $250.00 from the Church Extension Society, to be applied to the lot being purchased at Defoe and Niagara, 100 feet from the corner. Miss Ells reported a cash payment of $300.00, leaving a balance of $150.00 to be paid on or before the end of the year.
Doubtless, the first site was switched to the second, but, at present, even the secretary's memory fails. Neither was the final site, of course.
With all the effort being expended toward fund raising for a church building, Chaplain Wood was urging Church magazines and Sunday School supplies. And Miss Ells, even though treasurer, was supporting him strongly in his call to social service. At this November meeting, the Social Service Committee reported a visit to the Door of Hope.
Chaplain Wood was transferred to Fort Logan, Colorado, in November 2922, and Dr. Wallace, who had returned in late summer, gave his saintly and scholarly guidance to Trinity until the following May, 1923.
The Council continued to meet monthly, and the Guild bi-monthly. A backward look into those early days is a bit startling... new linens promised by St. Paul's, and cruets purchased, 30 cents each. An altar "committee" was discussed, also the establishing of a building fund before the second anniversary. Christmas was celebrated Church and Sunday School, 1922. Sunday School birthday offerings were allotted to the Board of Missions.
Mr. Brown, who served as Trinity's representative at Diocesan meetings, brought back a report from La Mesa, calculated to turn Trinity green with envy. La Mesa, he announced, "by way of inspiration" had just purchased a lot for $8,000.00 and had accumulated $15,000.00 in its building fund.
The Three Hour Service, that Good Friday of 1923, was held in the home of Miss Kate and Miss Sarah Hardy. Dr. Wallace asked that news notices invite "all Christian people of Ocean Beach." The Easter offering added $130.00 to the building fund, bringing it up to about $200.00. Undaunted by La Mesa's opulence, Miss Ells was asked to investigate the advisability of erecting a temporary building at the back of the Church lot, "not to exceed $500.00". Nothing "advisable" materialized.
The Guild's Easter sale that year, termed a "birthday tea", was held at the home of Mrs. Jorgenson of Loma Portal. A gratifying reward for months of busy sewing netted $83.31 for the building fund. By Spring, Dr. Wallace was planning another trip. At the May Council meeting, immediately preceding a farewell reception given for him and Mrs. Wallace, the disposition of the mission was discussed, with no definite answer. But Dr. Wallace assured members it would be cared for.
On February 24, 1923, Dr. Wallace had presented to the Rt. Rev. Bertrand Stevens for confirmation, Edwin Arden Watkins, Jessamine Myers Oakes, and Dulce Orma Turley (now Mrs. Cecil Carr), and Martha Stegmuller.
Dr. Wallace's promise that the mission would be cared for was fulfilled with the coming of the Rev. Arthur C. Dodd, who took charge from May 23 until October, 1924. The Rev. R. Dodd was a very busy man. He was serving as San Diego County Horticulture Inspector during the week. He was from Oceanside. A confirmed bachelor, he had married a widow with two girls and now had a small son of his own. His life was so full of adjustments, he often seemed a bit dazed. But he met them all with earnest sincerity, and the church prospered under his care. His daily work often stole pleasantly into his sermons by way of refreshing illustrations from nature.
The Women's Guild had grown to 21 with 12 to 15 members always to be counted on. Outstanding affairs with the building fund in mind were a July garden party, with musical program, at the home of Mrs. H. M. Martin. mas. Morgan, Russell, and Oakes were on the several committees. Cash netted 34.25, August food sale, $19.35; Christmas apron and food sale at the Cash grocery, $82.75; and a silver tea, $65.75.
NOTE: Dr. George Wallace founded Trinity Mission in the summer of 1921 and saw the corner stone of the first little chapel laid on the site of the present church, corner of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard (then Defoe Street) and Brighton Avenue, on January 6, 1926.
Written by Julia T. McGarvey, 1967
HIGHLIGHTS
- First service on May 22, 1921, 5009 Longbranch Avenue, home of Mrs. T.S. Markley. Twenty members present, from a communicant list of approximately forty.
- Several services were later held in Loring Hall. We had piano accompaniment. Miss Ells invited us to her office in the Colan Building, and we later followed her to Abbott Street, across from the old merry-go-round. We had Evensong weekly, with one Communion service a month. Dr. Wallace was in charge for five years, but he was forever leaving Ocean Beach and making trips. Under Chaplain Ernest Wood, we held our first Council meeting, September 5, 1922, and selected our name, TRINITY.
- Present property was purchased in 1926, for $1,200. Dr. Wallace wanted to leave us in a home. Cornerstone of the chapel was laid on January 6, 1926, Feast of the Epiphany. First service held there on January 24. First Confirmation class in March. Bishop Stevens confirmed four members.
- Chaplain and Mrs. Wood and their son Laddie came then. They entertained us at Fort Rosecrans.
- Next we had Arthur C. Dodd, a sincere man, used to pioneer work. With a membership of 23 to 25, we kept Arthur Dodd for 1.5 years.
- Dr. Wallace returned and built our chapel and then left again for England. This was his monument after he had seen eighty years. Returning from England after the winter of 1926-27, Dr. Wallace passed away on the trip home.
- Mr. Dodd and the Rev. Charles Bailey served here for a time after this. John Osborn, who had been with us on several occasions for short stays, came about 1929, and we were blessed by his guidance for over twelve years. Wallace Hall was his monument. It was dedicated on October 5, 1930.
- Bishop Stevens, Gooden, and Dean Barnes were here, as were the Elks' choir.
- Clifford Cave came then and we were just getting to know him when he enlisted, and left Trinity Mission.
- Philip Harris, seemed to know without learning. He asked Julia McGarvey to reminisce for posterity, but by now all must know his favorite motto, "Look forward, not back."
- The Rev. Frederick Jennings then lent us his encouragement. The Rev. Ian Robertson came in 1948. Plans for a new building were wrecked by the Korean War. He was followed by the Rev. Robert Spicer-Smith in 1951. The new building was dedicated in March, 1952.
- The Rev. John R. Nicholson came to us from Jamestown, New York, in October, 1954. "Our present status is only the beginning of our work".
