City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
WHEREAS, the Methodist Episcopal Society was created in 1873 by early settlers; and Santa Maria
All America City
WHEREAS, the first church building was built in 1878 by Pastor H. R. Stephens from scrap wood taken from the Anna Lyle shipwreck at Point Sal with the second building replacing the first primitive structure in 1892; and
WHEREAS, the current Spanish Renaissance style church broke ground in 1921 at the corner of Cook and Broadway and was completed and dedicated on May 14, 1922, to serve the spiritual needs of area Methodists and the local community; and
WHEREAS, the facility was built to serve the Central Coast community with a location to hold events such as an early presentation by the Christian Science Society, providing the first home for the Mexican Baptist Church before they built their facility, and providing child care for the Presbyterian Church located across the street; and
WHEREAS, the Church continued to provide their facility for the needs of the Santa Maria community, including the Showers of Blessings as a service to the homeless community, and a performance site for organizations such as Hancock College and the Santa Maria Philharmonic; and WHEREAS, the City Council extends its best wishes to First United Methodist Church for its continued service as a place of worship and as a public community service facility in the center of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALICE M. PATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria, hereby recognize May 15, 2022, as the:
"100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH"
in the City of Santa Maria and thank the Church along with its past and present parishioners for providing a spiritual home in the heart of the City.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have here unto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Santa Maria to be affixed hereto this 3' day of May 2022.
Alice M. Patino, Mayor