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Fourth Street Church
Standing in front -- Rev. Frank
Raney and his family



Demolition of Old Church on 4th
Street.
Laying cornerstone for current
Sanctuary
Interior
framework during original
contstruction

Steeple under construction
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About Us - Our History
Since 1883
Since its creation in 1883, First
Presbyterian has endeavored to make
a positive impact on the lives of
the people of Sonoma County. We are
a congregation committed to prayer,
worship and service, with a sincere
desire to set people free from
human oppression and injustice.
Today, the church is comprised of
over 300 members, whose lengths of
membership range from under one
year to almost 70 years.
First Presbyterian has always been
a church body that focused on
efforts to help and care for
others. During WWI, First
Presbyterian joined with local
Christian and Congregational
churches for union worship services
twice a week. Later, the church
provided ongoing outreach and
assistance to families experiencing
hardship in the Petaluma area
through organizations such as the
W.C.T.A. and Ladies Aid Society.
During WWII, the church was turned
into a prayer center for the local
community, where vigils for victory
and peace were held and a portion
of the tithe received was sent to
assist in the country's war
efforts. At the same time, First
Presbyterian assisted other church
and community agencies in making
military personnel and refugees in
the Petaluma area lives easier.
Women have taken an active role in
First Presbyterian throughout its
long history. Beginning in 1909, a
women's organization within the
church entitled the "Ladies of
Philethea" served as ushers. The
first woman elder was elected in
1941, and many more women elders
and deacons have served, sometimes
repeatedly, ever since.
The current church sanctuary was
completed in 1963. Shortly
thereafter, the church realized its
dream of building a Christian
education building and kitchen, to
house the growing number of Sunday
School students in the
congregation. This was followed by
the creation of "Happy Day
Presbyterian School," a non-profit
Christian preschool, on church
premises, in 1967. Later, a
fellowship hall and Fireside Room
were added to the church, which
became tremendous assets in its
community outreach programs. These
programs included
interdenominational release time
for school children, combined
Lenten services, and other special
religious community services.
Since 1983, First Presbyterian has
continued its mission to be a
valuable contributor to the
Petaluma area under the leadership
of four different pastors. During
these years, the church has
remained connected to the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), while
evolving into a religious body that
accepts and even welcomes diverse
viewpoints.
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larger image)
Sunrise Easter Service next to the
Sanctuary

1980 Retreat at Westminster
Woods
Jim
Jackson, Ted Arntz, and Rev. Gary
Gard during the construction of the
courtyard -- 1983
Ted
Arntz taking up the grass to build
the Courtyard

Sanctuary tented in 1984 to treat
for termite infestation.
About Us
Our History
What We Believe
Our Staff
How to Find Us
How to Contact Us
Affiliations/Links
Quicks Links
Stained Glass Windows Project
The Presbyterian Church (USA)
Redwoods Presbytery
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