Then & Now
First Methodist M.E Episcopal Church
5th & Santa Clara St.
Downtown San Jose, CA
The new church opened in 2015.
The Spanish Revival-style church was dedicated on March 19, 1911.
The church was destroyed by an electrical fire in 1991.
“It was a spectacular fire,” said Cindy Manley, now operations director for First United. “I stood on the corner and watched the whole building go down.”
“About 400 drop-jawed spectators, including me, looked on as 85 firefighters pumped 9,000 gallons of water per minute onto the blaze. Before the roof collapsed, firefighters managed to rescue two brass candle holders, a crucifix and a Bible. Church members picked up shards of the stained-glass windows and stored them.” (Joe Rodriguez/San Jose Mercury News)
Explore San Jose•David C. Hill Photographe
Originally shared on Explore San Jose · January 31, 2022