Westminister Prebistrian Chruch
The Alameda San Jose, CA
Shasta/Hanchett Park Neighborhood Built: 1927
The sign reads: We Choose Welcome
No matter where you are from, who you love, or how you vote, we’re glad you’re our neighbor
From there Website
A New Church is Born
On June 25, 1891, Westminster met for the first time, seeded with 105 members from the First Presbyterian Church of San Jose. Our initial mission was to minister to the growing community south of Santa Clara Street. Located on Second Street near Williams, it was originally called “Second Presbyterian Church.” Thankfully, the first church building was built with no debt, allowing the congregation to focus on its larger mission in the neighborhood and the world. In 1902, this even included helping to found Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center.
A New Beginning
As successful as the early church was, the building was irreparably damaged by the 1906 Earthquake, forcing the congregation to begin a new chapter in its life. By the mid-'20s, the church had to make a choice whether to stay, to close and merge back with First Presbyterian, or move. As San Jose was expanding west, the church saw an important mission developing in this growing community.
The Alameda a personal project by local photographer David C. Hill
Originally shared on Explore San Jose · February 22, 2021