by Brian Rothhammer
In the heart of Three Rivers, on a knoll that rises along Sierra Drive above the Three Rivers Memorial Building, stands a modest building with a lot of soul. More than seven decades ago, the land was donated, as was most of the labor and much of the material used to build this simple, yet substantial structure.
On November 2, 1941, it became the new home of the Community Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers.
The church celebrates its 70th anniversary this week with services on Sunday, Nov. 1, as it was officially chartered by the Presbytery of San Joaquin on November 5, 1939.
The roots of this local church, however, go back to the 1890s and a woman of deep faith and conviction known affectionately as "Grandma" Alles.
Born in Germany in 1842, one of Christine "Grandma" Alles's early recollections was of the ocean voyage to Canada that her family embarked on when she was 11 years old. When they encountered a storm that threatened to engulf and sink the ship, the sailors gathered together to sing religious songs. The seas were calmed.
Having married Conrad Alles in 1864, the family, which eventually included 10 children, moved to Michigan before becoming a pioneer family of the South Fork in 1887. Soon after Conrad died in 1891, the Alles family moved into the community of Three Rivers.
It was there that the deeply religious Mrs. Alles began teaching Sunday school classes in her home and at times in the old schoolhouse. She showed great strength and courage as she went it alone in those early years. She shared her faith and conviction freely with the community, some of whom were not entirely appreciative. Many others were supportive.
On April 11, 1909, a meeting was held at the Cove School, which resulted in the formation of the Union Christian Church of Three Rivers and of the Union Christian Church Society to "encourage the organization and promote the interests of this church…"
Articles of association were adopted that laid a foundation in shared faith along democratic lines. Familiar names such as Britten, Ogilvie, Blossom, and others are found among the 16 original signatures affixed.
Over the next three decades, some neighboring ministers assisted by holding occasional services at various locations. Reverend Scott of Woodlake, evangelist Rev. Wilson, Rev. W.M. Sutherland of Lemon Cove, and Rev. Fred Hoffman of the Presbyterian Church of Lemon Cove all contributed. On January 1, 1928, a circuit-riding missionary named Reverend E.M. Keeler gave his first Three Rivers sermon at the old schoolhouse near Grandma Alles's home.
Rev. Keeler, as Sunday School Missionary of the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church, would become instrumental in further efforts to mold the Sunday school into a permanent, formally established church. On October 1, 1934, after a Communion service by Rev. Keeler, 39 community members signed a petition to the Presbytery of the San Joaquin "for the express purpose of the organization of a Community Church in the Three Rivers District."
Finally, on October 27, 1939, the Presbytery met in Woodlake and authorized the church. Rev. Keeler was placed in charge temporarily until a resident pastor could be found.
Five visiting clergymen conducted the Organization Service held at the Three Rivers schoolhouse on Sunday, Nov. 5, 1939. Over 100 people attended what was remembered as an impressive service, and 45 communicant members founded the new congregation.
Plans began immediately for the funding and construction of a permanent church building. The land itself was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Alles and Mr. and Mrs. Dolph Beam. Mr. W.T. Wells donated lumber, which was sawed on his land at Silver City. Wells also paid for all of the hardware.
Harold Fowler, Sequoia National Park landscape architect, drew up plans for the proposed building, and an interest-free, 10-year loan was obtained. With the outpouring of community support and labor, the project came in at under $6,000.
Even then, that was a feat of economy. The artistic window above the altar was donated by Dr. and Mrs. A.B. Keeler. The altar, pulpit, and lectern of native redwood were made by Maurice Macy and Hugh Parks, the redwood cross above the altar by Gerald Ray and Howard Kunkel. The communion table, also of redwood, was made and donated by Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Macy and a piano was donated by Mrs. Mabel Smith.
On November 2, 1941, the day that Grandma Alles and others had long dreamed of at long last arrived. A lighted picture of Christ in Gethsemane, a gift from the Alles family in memory of Grandma Alles, was visible to all who attended the first service to be held in the permanent home of the Community Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers.
Grandma Alles had passed on January 19, 1938.
Of the Articles of Association penned on April 11, 1909, Article 4 reads, "On this Christian basis we desire to promote the union of all the followers of Christ in the community, knit together in love, keeping the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace."
The vitality and sense of purpose embodied by today's congregation a century later tells of the success of Christine Alles's vision and of those who have worked so diligently over the years to see it through.
Additional information provided by Rose
In the heart of Three Rivers, on a knoll that rises along Sierra Drive above the Three Rivers Memorial Building, stands a modest building with a lot of soul. More than seven decades ago, the land was donated, as was most of the labor and much of the material used to build this simple, yet substantial structure.
On November 2, 1941, it became the new home of the Community Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers.
The church celebrates its 70th anniversary this week with services on Sunday, Nov. 1, as it was officially chartered by the Presbytery of San Joaquin on November 5, 1939.
The roots of this local church, however, go back to the 1890s and a woman of deep faith and conviction known affectionately as "Grandma" Alles.
Born in Germany in 1842, one of Christine "Grandma" Alles's early recollections was of the ocean voyage to Canada that her family embarked on when she was 11 years old. When they encountered a storm that threatened to engulf and sink the ship, the sailors gathered together to sing religious songs. The seas were calmed.
Having married Conrad Alles in 1864, the family, which eventually included 10 children, moved to Michigan before becoming a pioneer family of the South Fork in 1887. Soon after Conrad died in 1891, the Alles family moved into the community of Three Rivers.
It was there that the deeply religious Mrs. Alles began teaching Sunday school classes in her home and at times in the old schoolhouse. She showed great strength and courage as she went it alone in those early years. She shared her faith and conviction freely with the community, some of whom were not entirely appreciative. Many others were supportive.
On April 11, 1909, a meeting was held at the Cove School, which resulted in the formation of the Union Christian Church of Three Rivers and of the Union Christian Church Society to "encourage the organization and promote the interests of this church…"
Articles of association were adopted that laid a foundation in shared faith along democratic lines. Familiar names such as Britten, Ogilvie, Blossom, and others are found among the 16 original signatures affixed.
Over the next three decades, some neighboring ministers assisted by holding occasional services at various locations. Reverend Scott of Woodlake, evangelist Rev. Wilson, Rev. W.M. Sutherland of Lemon Cove, and Rev. Fred Hoffman of the Presbyterian Church of Lemon Cove all contributed. On January 1, 1928, a circuit-riding missionary named Reverend E.M. Keeler gave his first Three Rivers sermon at the old schoolhouse near Grandma Alles's home.
Rev. Keeler, as Sunday School Missionary of the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church, would become instrumental in further efforts to mold the Sunday school into a permanent, formally established church. On October 1, 1934, after a Communion service by Rev. Keeler, 39 community members signed a petition to the Presbytery of the San Joaquin "for the express purpose of the organization of a Community Church in the Three Rivers District."
Finally, on October 27, 1939, the Presbytery met in Woodlake and authorized the church. Rev. Keeler was placed in charge temporarily until a resident pastor could be found.
Five visiting clergymen conducted the Organization Service held at the Three Rivers schoolhouse on Sunday, Nov. 5, 1939. Over 100 people attended what was remembered as an impressive service, and 45 communicant members founded the new congregation.
Plans began immediately for the funding and construction of a permanent church building. The land itself was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Alles and Mr. and Mrs. Dolph Beam. Mr. W.T. Wells donated lumber, which was sawed on his land at Silver City. Wells also paid for all of the hardware.
Harold Fowler, Sequoia National Park landscape architect, drew up plans for the proposed building, and an interest-free, 10-year loan was obtained. With the outpouring of community support and labor, the project came in at under $6,000.
Even then, that was a feat of economy. The artistic window above the altar was donated by Dr. and Mrs. A.B. Keeler. The altar, pulpit, and lectern of native redwood were made by Maurice Macy and Hugh Parks, the redwood cross above the altar by Gerald Ray and Howard Kunkel. The communion table, also of redwood, was made and donated by Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Macy and a piano was donated by Mrs. Mabel Smith.
On November 2, 1941, the day that Grandma Alles and others had long dreamed of at long last arrived. A lighted picture of Christ in Gethsemane, a gift from the Alles family in memory of Grandma Alles, was visible to all who attended the first service to be held in the permanent home of the Community Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers.
Grandma Alles had passed on January 19, 1938.
Of the Articles of Association penned on April 11, 1909, Article 4 reads, "On this Christian basis we desire to promote the union of all the followers of Christ in the community, knit together in love, keeping the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace."
The vitality and sense of purpose embodied by today's congregation a century later tells of the success of Christine Alles's vision and of those who have worked so diligently over the years to see it through.
Additional information provided by Rose
by Brian Rothhammer
In the heart of Three Rivers, on a knoll that rises along Sierra Drive above the Three Rivers Memorial Building, stands a modest building with a lot of soul. More than seven decades ago, the land was donated, as was most of the labor and much of the material used to build this simple, yet substantial structure.
On November 2, 1941, it became the new home of the Community Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers.
The church celebrates its 70th anniversary this week with services on Sunday, Nov. 1, as it was officially chartered by the Presbytery of San Joaquin on November 5, 1939.
The roots of this local church, however, go back to the 1890s and a woman of deep faith and conviction known affectionately as "Grandma" Alles.
Born in Germany in 1842, one of Christine "Grandma" Alles's early recollections was of the ocean voyage to Canada that her family embarked on when she was 11 years old. When they encountered a storm that threatened to engulf and sink the ship, the sailors gathered together to sing religious songs. The seas were calmed.
Having married Conrad Alles in 1864, the family, which eventually included 10 children, moved to Michigan before becoming a pioneer family of the South Fork in 1887. Soon after Conrad died in 1891, the Alles family moved into the community of Three Rivers.
It was there that the deeply religious Mrs. Alles began teaching Sunday school classes in her home and at times in the old schoolhouse. She showed great strength and courage as she went it alone in those early years. She shared her faith and conviction freely with the community, some of whom were not entirely appreciative. Many others were supportive.
On April 11, 1909, a meeting was held at the Cove School, which resulted in the formation of the Union Christian Church of Three Rivers and of the Union Christian Church Society to "encourage the organization and promote the interests of this church…"
Articles of association were adopted that laid a foundation in shared faith along democratic lines. Familiar names such as Britten, Ogilvie, Blossom, and others are found among the 16 original signatures affixed.
Over the next three decades, some neighboring ministers assisted by holding occasional services at various locations. Reverend Scott of Woodlake, evangelist Rev. Wilson, Rev. W.M. Sutherland of Lemon Cove, and Rev. Fred Hoffman of the Presbyterian Church of Lemon Cove all contributed. On January 1, 1928, a circuit-riding missionary named Reverend E.M. Keeler gave his first Three Rivers sermon at the old schoolhouse near Grandma Alles's home.
Rev. Keeler, as Sunday School Missionary of the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church, would become instrumental in further efforts to mold the Sunday school into a permanent, formally established church. On October 1, 1934, after a Communion service by Rev. Keeler, 39 community members signed a petition to the Presbytery of the San Joaquin "for the express purpose of the organization of a Community Church in the Three Rivers District."
Finally, on October 27, 1939, the Presbytery met in Woodlake and authorized the church. Rev. Keeler was placed in charge temporarily until a resident pastor could be found.
Five visiting clergymen conducted the Organization Service held at the Three Rivers schoolhouse on Sunday, Nov. 5, 1939. Over 100 people attended what was remembered as an impressive service, and 45 communicant members founded the new congregation.
Plans began immediately for the funding and construction of a permanent church building. The land itself was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Alles and Mr. and Mrs. Dolph Beam. Mr. W.T. Wells donated lumber, which was sawed on his land at Silver City. Wells also paid for all of the hardware.
Harold Fowler, Sequoia National Park landscape architect, drew up plans for the proposed building, and an interest-free, 10-year loan was obtained. With the outpouring of community support and labor, the project came in at under $6,000.
Even then, that was a feat of economy. The artistic window above the altar was donated by Dr. and Mrs. A.B. Keeler. The altar, pulpit, and lectern of native redwood were made by Maurice Macy and Hugh Parks, the redwood cross above the altar by Gerald Ray and Howard Kunkel. The communion table, also of redwood, was made and donated by Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Macy and a piano was donated by Mrs. Mabel Smith.
On November 2, 1941, the day that Grandma Alles and others had long dreamed of at long last arrived. A lighted picture of Christ in Gethsemane, a gift from the Alles family in memory of Grandma Alles, was visible to all who attended the first service to be held in the permanent home of the Community Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers.
Grandma Alles had passed on January 19, 1938.
Of the Articles of Association penned on April 11, 1909, Article 4 reads, "On this Christian basis we desire to promote the union of all the followers of Christ in the community, knit together in love, keeping the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace."
The vitality and sense of purpose embodied by today's congregation a century later tells of the success of Christine Alles's vision and of those who have worked so diligently over the years to see it through.
Additional information provided by Rose
In the heart of Three Rivers, on a knoll that rises along Sierra Drive above the Three Rivers Memorial Building, stands a modest building with a lot of soul. More than seven decades ago, the land was donated, as was most of the labor and much of the material used to build this simple, yet substantial structure.
On November 2, 1941, it became the new home of the Community Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers.
The church celebrates its 70th anniversary this week with services on Sunday, Nov. 1, as it was officially chartered by the Presbytery of San Joaquin on November 5, 1939.
The roots of this local church, however, go back to the 1890s and a woman of deep faith and conviction known affectionately as "Grandma" Alles.
Born in Germany in 1842, one of Christine "Grandma" Alles's early recollections was of the ocean voyage to Canada that her family embarked on when she was 11 years old. When they encountered a storm that threatened to engulf and sink the ship, the sailors gathered together to sing religious songs. The seas were calmed.
Having married Conrad Alles in 1864, the family, which eventually included 10 children, moved to Michigan before becoming a pioneer family of the South Fork in 1887. Soon after Conrad died in 1891, the Alles family moved into the community of Three Rivers.
It was there that the deeply religious Mrs. Alles began teaching Sunday school classes in her home and at times in the old schoolhouse. She showed great strength and courage as she went it alone in those early years. She shared her faith and conviction freely with the community, some of whom were not entirely appreciative. Many others were supportive.
On April 11, 1909, a meeting was held at the Cove School, which resulted in the formation of the Union Christian Church of Three Rivers and of the Union Christian Church Society to "encourage the organization and promote the interests of this church…"
Articles of association were adopted that laid a foundation in shared faith along democratic lines. Familiar names such as Britten, Ogilvie, Blossom, and others are found among the 16 original signatures affixed.
Over the next three decades, some neighboring ministers assisted by holding occasional services at various locations. Reverend Scott of Woodlake, evangelist Rev. Wilson, Rev. W.M. Sutherland of Lemon Cove, and Rev. Fred Hoffman of the Presbyterian Church of Lemon Cove all contributed. On January 1, 1928, a circuit-riding missionary named Reverend E.M. Keeler gave his first Three Rivers sermon at the old schoolhouse near Grandma Alles's home.
Rev. Keeler, as Sunday School Missionary of the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church, would become instrumental in further efforts to mold the Sunday school into a permanent, formally established church. On October 1, 1934, after a Communion service by Rev. Keeler, 39 community members signed a petition to the Presbytery of the San Joaquin "for the express purpose of the organization of a Community Church in the Three Rivers District."
Finally, on October 27, 1939, the Presbytery met in Woodlake and authorized the church. Rev. Keeler was placed in charge temporarily until a resident pastor could be found.
Five visiting clergymen conducted the Organization Service held at the Three Rivers schoolhouse on Sunday, Nov. 5, 1939. Over 100 people attended what was remembered as an impressive service, and 45 communicant members founded the new congregation.
Plans began immediately for the funding and construction of a permanent church building. The land itself was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Alles and Mr. and Mrs. Dolph Beam. Mr. W.T. Wells donated lumber, which was sawed on his land at Silver City. Wells also paid for all of the hardware.
Harold Fowler, Sequoia National Park landscape architect, drew up plans for the proposed building, and an interest-free, 10-year loan was obtained. With the outpouring of community support and labor, the project came in at under $6,000.
Even then, that was a feat of economy. The artistic window above the altar was donated by Dr. and Mrs. A.B. Keeler. The altar, pulpit, and lectern of native redwood were made by Maurice Macy and Hugh Parks, the redwood cross above the altar by Gerald Ray and Howard Kunkel. The communion table, also of redwood, was made and donated by Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Macy and a piano was donated by Mrs. Mabel Smith.
On November 2, 1941, the day that Grandma Alles and others had long dreamed of at long last arrived. A lighted picture of Christ in Gethsemane, a gift from the Alles family in memory of Grandma Alles, was visible to all who attended the first service to be held in the permanent home of the Community Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers.
Grandma Alles had passed on January 19, 1938.
Of the Articles of Association penned on April 11, 1909, Article 4 reads, "On this Christian basis we desire to promote the union of all the followers of Christ in the community, knit together in love, keeping the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace."
The vitality and sense of purpose embodied by today's congregation a century later tells of the success of Christine Alles's vision and of those who have worked so diligently over the years to see it through.
Additional information provided by Rose
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