From The Archives Archive
As most of us have noticed, our church at 18th and Arizona is in the same neighborhood as three other churches, Pilgrim Lutheran at 18th and Wilshire, Seventh Day Adventist at Arizona and 19th, and the Little Chapel of the Dawn at Arizona and 20th. The Little Chapel of the Dawn has never been affiliated with any denomination; rather, it was dedicated almost eighty years ago as part of the Gates, Kingsley and Gates Funeral Home (GK&G). (Dr. E.F. Gates, Virgil B. Kingsley and Mark T. Gates were business partners, who sold the property to Service Corporation International in 1998.) I’ve long been curious about the Little Chapel of the Dawn, in part because it’s on a pedestrian-friendly corner lot, the international news covered the activities of GK&G after the death of President Reagan in 2004, and my parents were married there in 1952 by Stephen Fritchman of First UU Church. Thankfully the UUCCSM Archives have a copy of the Service of edicationprogram for our sanctuary, on April 6, 1930. When was the Little Chapel of the Dawn built, and are there any records of
that? Seeking that information, last year I stopped by the GK&G office and asked. At first someone said there were no records, but several months later a longtime GK&G employee emailed me and said he had forgotten a crudely framed original proclamation nailed to the wall behind a door of an interior office. It took over six months to arrange to borrow it to copy and scan, but that finally happened this last January. It's an old-fashioned calligraphy proclamation, boldly dated, incorporates flowery and religious language of
the time, and is a genuine historical document. The Little Chapel of the Dawn was dedicated only three years after our sanctuary, and both churches have been used for 80 years in the spirit of “universal reverence for every
creed.” Of course the GK&G property has always been run as a business and the Unitarian Church and its successor entities have never been for economic profit, but both are equally part of the fabric and history of the neighborhood, city, and region.
— Rob Briner
30th Anniversary of UUCCSM Organ (September 25, 2011)
by Rob Briner, UUCCSM historian
Last year I was introduced to Ann Thiermann, who was a surprise visitor to one of our Sunday services. I recognized her name as the muralist who painted the UU History mural upstairs in Forbes Hall in 1980. As Ann was upstairs telling me about the mural project, she mentioned that she was also the wedding organist for our church and worked closely with Dean Voegtlen in the late 1970s and early 1980s to get a new pipe organ for UUCCSM. I had learned about that project from records in the archives and knew that the 30th anniversary of the 1981 dedication concert was coming up, so I asked Ann if she would be interested in playing the organ for the congregation someday. Her response was an enthusiastic yes, even though she long ago moved to northern California and visits southern California only once or twice a year.
A few months ago I e-mailed Ann, reminding her about the 30th anniversary in September, and she responded that she would try to put something together. Did she ever! On her own, she recruited a former UUCCSM Director of Music, "Dee" Stevens, and another professional musician, Margaret Thornhill, who was Dean Voegtlen's clarinet teacher and musical mentor. I had heard of the name Delores Stevens but knew nothing about her, and doing some research on Margaret Thornhill was astonished to find a tribute she wrote to Dean Voegtlen shortly after his passing in December 2004.
I was fortunate enough to have known Dean for a short time before his passing, and have always considered him among UUCCSM's "greatest generation." I knew that he was a Renaissance Man, adept at science and art, a humanitarian, teacher, and yeoman member of our congregation for over 40 years (and his wife, Lee, continues as a member). I don't know if he would consider the 1981 organ to be his most significant project for the church, but the multi-year effort he led to develop interest and support, raise approximately $65,000 by the time the project was completed in 1982 or 1983, and oversee the design and installation of a very complex instrument is something I consider very significant in the church's history. 30 years after its dedication and 6½ years after Dean's passing, I fear the our beautiful organ has come to be taken for granted.
One of the fascinating threads in this project is that Dee Stevens has taught our current pianist, Louis Durra, making the September 25th rededication recital a homecoming event in many ways. I invited Ann Thiermann to talk briefly during the upcoming 1-hour concert, about the 1981 organ project and perhaps Dean Voegtlen's leadership, but she said she wants the music to speak for itself. With professional organists expensive to hire, this will be the first time in more than a decade we've heard the full capabilities of our organ, both alone and with the piano, and with a world-class clarinetist. It's time to "pull out all the stops"!
The Long and Winding Road
As we're settling into the beautifully renovated andrestored cottage next door, we should appreciate thelong and winding road we've traveled so far in ourbuilding program. Keep in mind that focus groupmeetings for a building program took place in 1997,planning for the Capital Campaign began in 2000 andthe initial Capital Campaign of 2002-2004 wasextended to 2005-2007 after the lot next door becameunexpectedly available. After escrow closed on March30, 2004, and UUCCSM became the owner of two contiguouslots, it took a little over three years of planning,obtaining approvals, moving, renovating, and restoringthe cottage before a Certificate of Occupancy wasapproved on November 15, 2007. But taking a longerview, don't forget that before a "For Sale" was plantednext door, building plans for the 17th Street lot - purchasedin 1966 - had been approved by the congregationand the city, and we were about to break ground.And now, Forbes Hall - built in 1960 - is set to berebuilt and expanded beginning next summer withcompletion in late 2009 or early 2010. Thereafter,expanding our sanctuary into a symmetrical space willbe the final step on a long and winding road that's ametaphor for our determination to improve access toand the quality of where we worship, hold meetings,educate our children, and host visitors.
- Rob BrinerUUCCSM historian/archivist
Peace Site
On May 4, 1986, this congregation approved the followingresolution, designating this church as a peace site:
Be it hereby resolved that we, the members of theUnitarian Community Church of Santa Monica, identifyour church as a "peace site" and that we commit ourselvesto being "peacemakers." By virtue of these designationswe dedicate ourselves and our church to the pursuitof peace in the nuclear age. This shall include, but not belimited to, learning to live together in peace as individuals,as well as learning to live in peace with all ofhumankind.We do not expect this process to be simple oreasy and we make this commitment with the full understandingthat our world is diverse and complex. As muchas anything this represents a new commitment to fullyunderstanding the complexities of the nuclear age and todoing our best to use our knowledge and insight for thecommon good and for the survival of the human race.
This dedication was celebrated here on October 5,1986.
We Say Farewell to Pulpit Custom-Built for Ernie Pipes
In the fall of 1967, board chair Roscoe Guernseyand member Frank Rohloff delivered a new pulpit toour church. It was designed by Mr. Rohloff as a gift, toaccommodate a 6' 1" minister, the Rev. Ernie Pipes. Itwas used in our sanctuary until January 2002, when anew, adjustable pulpitwas dedicated inmemory of EdwardRutowski. Fortyyears later, in thefall of 2007, the"Pipes' pulpit" wasgiven to Camp deBenneville Pinesalong with othersurplus furnitureand items that couldnot be saved or usedin UUCCSM's newbuilding plan.
- Rob Briner
We're Blessed with a Beautiful Sanctuary Organ and Piano
This fall marks the 25th and 15th anniversaries,respectively, of our sanctuary organ and piano. Theorgan was custom made for us in 1981, following a twoyearplanning and fundraising drive led by DeanVoegtlen. It cost just under $50,000-and 233 individualsor households, groups (including the Women'sAlliance), and anonymous donors paid for it in full. TheSteinway was purchased as a refurbished piano in 1991,using $26,800 from the bequest of Myra Bauer. Thepiano was built by the Steinway Company in New Yorkin 1917-making it 90 years old next year. Both instruments,and how they're played by Louis Durra, SteveWight and guest musicians, add immeasurably to ourservices.
- Rob Briner, historian/archivist
Our Archivist Finds News of 1958 Capital Campaign
The capital campaign for building Forbes Hall ran from October 20 to November14, 1958. We used the professional consultant firm of American Campaign Services.
The co-chairs of the campaign were Philip Bates and Norton Breiseth, who workedwith 23 volunteers to solicit donations. Volunteers called on an average ofseven people each. The goal of the campaign was $50,000.
The total number of prospects in the church was 216, and 86 made a pledge.Seventy-five people declined to pledge. The total amount pledged was $53,795.The average gift was therefore $625.52. Imagine what we could build if we hadthat average now in 2005 dollars.
- Rob Briner, Historian, Archivist
Still Working for Us Through All the Years
On Sunday, August 28, the Rev. Judith Meyer acknowledged Warren Mathews forhis full-time office work this summer. Twenty-four years ago Warren and anothercurrent member, Stuart Moore, were thanked for designing a new lighting systemin the sanctuary. The July 16 to 31, 1981, newsletter noted that "the entiresystem, complete with electronic switching, cost nearly $2,500 . . . ." We'redue for an upgrade in the next year or two, but have enjoyed flexible, focusedlighting due to Warren's and Stu's efforts a long time ago.
The July 16 to 31, 1981, newsletter listed Ernie Pipes as our minister (nowminister emeritus) and current member Joyce Holmen as the administrator; newmembers in July 1981, included Marjorie and William Anderson, who are thankfullystill with us. Bill Anderson served as president from 1984 to 1987, prior toRay Goodman and Len Adler, all of whom are still participating and contributing.
- Rob Briner/Historian, Archivist
Looking back 40 years, to the mid-60s, our church evolved with and was changedby local history. Residential and business development was transformed by theSan Diego Freeway (I-405) between West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley,which opened in 1962; the interchange of the 405 and the Santa Monica Freeway(I-10), which opened in 1964; and the Santa Monica portion of the I-10, whichopened in 1966. Also, the Douglas Aircraft Company, which began operations atthe Santa Monica airport in 1922 and during WWII employed as many as 44,000workers in three shifts, moved to Long Beach in 1968. A further era marker wasthe Academy Awards ceremony, which was held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditoriumfrom 1961 to 1968.
- Rob Briner, Historian/Archivist
Eight Committee Members of 1987 are Still Active Members of Church
At the beginning of 1987 (more than 18 years ago), board president Bill Andersonestablished a Long-Range Planning Committee that included Ernie Pipes, MinisterEmeritus, and eight people who are still members of our congregation today:Len Adler, Lu Ann Darling, Ray Goodman, Charles Haskell, Ofelia Lachtman, AnneMacQueen, Warren Mathews, Ernie Pipes, and Jean Rutowski. All of them have beenmaking continuous contributions since then.
- Rob Briner, Historian/Archivist
Here's a Brief Review of Our Building History
As we embark on remodeling our building and constructing a separate one forRE classes, it's a good time to review how we got here and what we have donesince we arrived. Here's an overview by our church archivist:
Our Sanctuary was Last Upgrqaded 12 Years Ago in Spanish Revival
As plans move forward to develop 1248 18th Street (the property next door),at the same time our sanctuary will be altered dramatically with the expansionof seating on the south side - displacing the current church office.
As things change, it's good to look back and appreciate the most recent sanctuaryupgrades, which were completed in 1993 during the period between the Rev. ErniePipes and the Rev. Judith Meyer. (Judith was installed in January 1994.) Changesand improvements at that time included new light fixtures on the walls; changingthe clerestory windows from a gold color to off-white; new Mexican chandeliersin the foyer and minister's office; new carpeting; painting; refinishing thepews; and covering painted brick in the atrium and removing dark paneling. Thenew light fixtures on the walls replaced ones that weren't Spanish Revival style.Carpeting and pew cushion upholstery was changed from green to dark red, bettercomplementing the woodwork and architecture of the building The old pew cushionswere donated 23 year ago by Will Wright, who is now deceased.
Leonard Adler chaired the design and d