The four-deck steamer Capital City was mostly built in 1910, two years prior to the construction of the nearly identical steamer Fort Sutter. Photo courtesy of the Lance Armstrong Collection

Editor’s Note: This is part 12 in a series about the history of the Sacramento River.

The history of steamers of the Sacramento River is an extensive one that covers a romantic period in the city’s past.
And with the Sacramento Valley’s extensive agriculture operations, steamers were also used to transport agricultural products along the river.
During the 19th century, vessels of small steamboat companies stopped at landings, so that the goods of farmers could be loaded onto those steamers.
A major event in the story of the river’s steamers, of which there were many, was the March 31, 1871 transfer of all property of the California Steam Navigation Co. to the California Pacific Railroad Co.
Five months later, the Central Pacific Railroad, en route to becoming a railroad monopoly, acquired the California Pacific. And with that transaction, the Central Pacific continued the operation of steamers that were once run by the California Steam Navigation Co.
As part of this monopoly, the owners of the Central Pacific also acquired the Southern Pacific. And gradually the Southern Pacific name became the dominant name for all of the railroad holdings.
In 1873, 22 steamboats were registered for regular operation on the river, with the largest of these boats being the 864-ton Amador.
River and harbor statistics for 1873 note that 231 sailing vessels arrived in the capital city during the same year, with the greatest number of these arrivals being 30 during the month of June.
A ferry bay and river steamers report that was printed in June 1878 refers to eight steamers that were then running on the Sacramento River.
These vessels were: Amelia, Chin du Wan, Enterprise and Julia of the San Francisco-Sacramento route and Dover, Flora, Gov. Dana and Red Bluff of the upper Sacramento River.
The sister ships, Modoc and Apache, were the main railroad steamers during the 1880s. These vessels made regular trips to and from Sacramento and San Francisco.
As older steamships in 1912 and for several years more, the Modoc and the Apache abandoned the common night travel along the river for morning departures to and from Sacramento and San Francisco.
During the same era, two of the river’s most famous steamboats, the California Transportation Co.’s Capital City and Fort Sutter, began plying the waters of the Sacramento.
These elegant stern-wheelers, which included staterooms and private baths, were both running on the river by 1912.
Capital City
The four-deck Capital City was mostly built in 1910, two years prior to the construction of the nearly identical steamer Fort Sutter. This trivial information is odd in a historical timeline fashion, considering that Sutter’s Fort was built a decade before the founding of Sacramento City, which became California’s capital city for the first time in 1852.
Prior to the maiden voyage of the 1,142-ton, 220-foot-long Capital City, a dilemma was being faced.
Although the city wharf near the foot of M Street (now Capitol Mall) was sufficient for smaller sized vessels, it was not built to accommodate a steamer the size of the Capital City.
The specific problem was that in the event of the Capital City’s use of the wharf’s north elevator, her stern would overlap the elevator at the wharf’s southern end, thus causing delays for other vessels.
Upon the suggestion of Mayor Marshall R. Beard, and following official examinations of the wharf, the wharf’s south elevator was moved further south of its original location, at a cost of about $400.
The Capital City, which was christened in San Francisco in a special Aug. 27, 1910 ceremony that was attended Beard, Lt. Gov. Warren R. Porter and many others, was described in the Aug. 25, 1910 edition of The San Francisco Call.
Included in that description were the following words: “The vessel, built for service between here and Sacramento, will set a new mark in river transportation. Roomy and fast, the Capital City will be provided with all the comforts of a great ocean liner or first-class hotel. Every state room will be served with hot and old running water and there will be a number of private suites with private bathrooms adjoining. The interior woodwork is all mahogany. There are wide stretches of promenade decks and on the top side is a large observation room protected on all sides from inclement weather by large plateglass (sic) windows. The hull is divided into nine watertight compartments, these compartments being separated by cross steel bulkheads. An elaborate fire sprinkling system has been installed. This all means that the Capital City will be practically unsinkable and fireproof.”
The then-new steamer was put in operation between Sacramento and San Francisco in about October 1910.
In 1927, the Capital City was decommissioned due to the introduction of the California Transportation Co.’s (later River Lines’) steamers, Delta King and Delta Queen.
The Capital City was relocated to the San Joaquin River and renamed the Port of Stockton.
The vessel continued to work the river until 1942, when it was purchased by the Army for use as floating barracks.
Following the war, theatrical manager Barney Gould purchased the old riverboat, which he planned to convert into a floating entertainment center with a restaurant and nightclub.
The Capital City, according to the March 15, 1952 edition of The Sacramento Bee, was eventually renamed the City of San Francisco.
On March 14, 1952, the steamer partially sunk during a storm in the San Francisco harbor channel, China Basin.
The old stern-wheeler had recently been painted red, white and blue in preparation for its intended relocation to the San Francisco Maritime Museum.
The Bee reported on Sept. 11, 1958 that the Sherman Crane Service of Oakland had been paid $9,477 for the wrecking and removal of the old vessel from China Basin.
Fort Sutter
As previously mentioned, the four-deck steamer Fort Sutter, which was built by Sacramento Bay Shipbuilders, was constructed two years following the building of the Capital City.
In a well attended event held in San Francisco on Nov. 11, 1912, the Capital City left its shore while Eva Lowry, winner of a Sacramento High School contest for the best essay about John A. Sutter, broke a Sacramento Valley Winery champagne bottle over the steamer’s bow.
Prior to breaking the bottle, Lowry raised it above her head and said, “I christen thee Fort Sutter.”
Since the Fort Sutter would not begin its Sacramento-San Francisco route until the following month, about 60 Sacramentans, who had attended the event, returned home aboard the Capital City.
In an early report about the Fort Sutter, The Bee described the vessel, as follows: “The Fort Sutter will cost approximately a quarter of a million dollars and will be one of the best boats of her type afloat. The (steamer) will have accommodations for 260 passengers in (66) staterooms and suites. There will be four three-room suites on the boats with bathrooms. In every room there will be electric lights, running hot and colt (sic) water an (sic) telephone connection with all parts of the boat.”
The Fort Sutter also included three decks for passengers, a dining room with a capacity of 70, a large social hall, an observation room, a barber shop, a newsstand, a candy store, a barroom/card room, smoking rooms and washstands with hot and cold water in each of the staterooms.
The social room included a dome of colored glass that both lighted and beautified the room. The glass was valued at more than $2,000.
Inside the staterooms was mahogany and birch woodwork and doors of teak.
Fort Sutter’s original officers of the were Capt. G.H. Goodell, chief engineer William L. Ely, pilots Andrew Carlson and A.R. Paul, first mate Albert Johnson and purser F.E. Greenbaum.
It was business as usual for Fort Sutter until 1927, when it was also decommissioned with the introduction of the Delta King and Delta Queen.
During World War II, the Navy acquired Fort Sutter and used the riverboat to house and feed sailors near Mare Island in the Carquinez Straits.
After the war, M.O. Mason, a Sacramento automobile salesman and owner of the Capital City Yacht Club, purchased the vessel from the Navy, and had it returned to the capital city in January 1947.
J.H. McGee of 1712 N St., J.A. Peterson of 1744 Sherwood Ave., and his brother L.A. Peterson of 2430 V St. purchased the boat a year later for the purpose of converting it into a fishing club on the south side of the Three Mile Slough Bridge.
As part of their project, these men planned to open a restaurant on the boat’s second deck, as well as club and cocktail rooms.
Under the old steamer’s new ownership, the San Francisco tugs, Antioch and Paul Martin, pulled it down the river toward Rio Vista on Oct. 10, 1949.
Gould later acquired Fort Sutter, which began to deteriorate in San Francisco Bay under his ownership, and was destroyed by fire in 1959.

Three fire investigators are looking into what caused the fire that burned down Freeport Boulevard’s Crepe Escape in the early morning hours of Monday, April 29. Restaurant owner Francesca Zawaydeh said they don’t really know what happened, but said: “Arson is harder to prove than murder. There’s not much hope finding the person who did it.”

Zawaydeh feels remorse for not only herself and her family but for the 17 employees who worked at Crepe Escape. “We left 17 people without a job. A lot of them have families. A lot of people who worked for us cried. There were a lot of tears going on … Whoever did this didn’t realize this will leave a giant hole in a lot of people’s lives,” she said.

Zawaydeh said her employees were like family. They were invited to Easter dinners birthday parties and other family celebrations. Zawaydeh feels an obligation to keep them in the loop.

She is currently looking for other locations in Land Park for Crepe Escape, but said it’s been difficult finding a place.

“All the good spots have been taken. There’s just not a whole lot in Land Park. I told one (longtime) customer we might have to leave the area and go further out. And that customer flipped out. She said, ‘you can’t leave. This restaurant is for the neighborhood.’”

In Zawaydeh’s efforts of looking for a new location, some people have offered to help her out financially. “It’s been really amazing because you see people’s true character when something like this happens. When you are running a business day to day, you don’t know how good people are. You don’t see that in the full capacity until something like this happens,” she said.

Zawaydeh’s father built the business six years ago and had someone else run it, but Zawaydeh took it over in 2009 after graduating college, she said.

Zawaydeh said her parents ran three creperies in San Francisco prior to moving to Sacramento. And it wasn’t until her brother was killed in Iraq that a move out of the city was needed as everywhere they looked reminded them of their son.

She said she’s only seen her father cry twice – once after the death of his son and secondly after the fire burned down Crepe Escape.

Zawaydeh said it’s been hard to go back to the restaurant. “I hear it’s boarded up and there’s an eviction sign. We had a lively business thriving and now there is nothing. My life is reduced to day-to-day activities. I don’t get to go to work anymore. My life revolved around that business,” she said.

The Land Park Business Center at 1250 Sutterville Road sits on the former site of the Sutterville Brewery. Photo by Lance Armstrong

For some locals, it might be difficult to imagine a full-fledged brewery operating in the Land Park area. But long before there were such destination places as William Land Park and the Sacramento Zoo, this then-rural area was home to the Sutterville Brewery.
This brewery, which was established just south of today’s zoo in a two-story, brick building with a basement in 1861, was originally owned by the Prussia-born Martin P. Arenz (1826-1949).
The brewery structure, which was constructed 160 years ago in what was then the town of Sutterville, was initially occupied by a grocery store owned Robert H. Vance of San Francisco.
Arenz purchased both the building and its property from Vance for $1,500 in August 1861.
According to The Sacramento Union, in its June 15, 1872 edition, the brewery building measured 62 feet by 62 feet and stood on a 160-foot by 180-foot lot.
Among the improvements made to the premises during Arenz’s ownership of the brewery was an addition of a new roof.
On May 28, 1867, the Sutterville Brewery was among several local breweries that had their lager beer delivery wagons seized by revenue officers during their deliveries.
According to the following day’s edition of The Union, it was charged that these breweries “did not properly cancel the stamps in the manner required by the revenue law, but so contrived matters as to make one (revenue) stamp answer the purpose of many, thereby depriving Uncle Sam of his just and lawful dues.”
Arenz remained the brewery’s proprietor until September 1868, when he sold the business to Patrick H. Lyman for about $8,000.
A biography regarding Captain Frank Ruhstaller in the 1890 book, “An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California,” recognizes Ruhstaller and Joseph Bechler as having owned interests in the brewery.
And in following the sequence of events presented in the book, Ruhstaller purchased an interest in the brewery in mid-October 1869.
The book also notes that Ruhstaller “was in a partnership there (at the Sutterville Brewery) with Bechler for seven or eight months.”
Another biography about Ruhstaller in the 1913 book, “History of Sacramento County, California,” mentions the following: “(Ruhstaller) bought an interest in the Sutterville Brewery, where he carried on a partnership with Joseph Bechler for seven months until the high water forced all work to cease.”
Both biographies mention that Ruhstaller continued working with local breweries before returning to his Swiss homeland for a short period of time in 1873.
No other historic accounts regarding Ruhstaller and Bechler holding interests in the Sutterville Brewery were discovered during research for this article, and there is no firm indication, based on research for this article, that Lyman was not involved in the ownership of the business from 1868 until the sale of the business in 1873.
A fire occurred at the brewery on Jan. 27, 1871. Flames were spotted on the roof of the drying room in the malt house.
The Union, in its Jan. 30, 1871 edition, noted: “Part of the Sutterville Brewery was discovered on fire, but which, by dint of strenuous efforts of the proprietor, Patrick Lyman, and his neighbors, was extinguished before much damage had occurred.”
In 1873, Fritz Futterer and Nicholas “Nick” Thielen became the new proprietors of the brewery.
In regard to this new ownership, The Union, on July 12, 1873, ran the following advertisement: “READ THIS! SUTTERVILLE BREWERY. This well-known brewery was purchased a few months ago by the undersigned, two experienced German brewers, and many improvements added thereto, and they are now able to supply the old customers, as well as new ones, and their friends generally, with the very best of beer in this market, in quantities to suit. THIELEN & FUTTERER.”
This partnership continued until February 1877, when Futterer sold his interest in the brewery to Thielen.
But well before this business change, half of the ownership of the brewery was offered for sale through an advertisement in editions of The Union in April and May 1876.
In part, the advertisement read: “One-half interest in the SUTTERVILLE BREWERY, finely improved and a well established business. Will be sold cheap. For full information, inquire of NICK THIELEN.”
Various non-brewery meetings were held at the brewery, including an April 25, 1878 meeting of residents of Swamp Land District No. 1. The purpose of the meeting was to make nominations for levee commissioner.
In being that a portion of Sacramento, including part of that district, experienced a major flood in 1878, several other very timely, levee-related meetings were held at the brewery around that time.
The 1880 book, History of Sacramento County, California, refers to the brewery, as follows: “This brewery is eighty-two feet long by forty-two feet wide (which are different dimensions than those given in the aforementioned 1872 Union article); employs four men, and has a capacity of fifteen barrels per day. Nicholas Thielen is the proprietor.”
The Union, in its Oct. 17, 1883 edition, reported the following: “Saturday evening (Oct. 13, 1883), a large party of ladies and gentlemen from Sacramento gave a surprise party to Nicholas Thielen, proprietor of the Sutterville Brewery. They were finely entertained. There was dancing and feasting until near morning.”
The operation of the Sutterville Brewery was only about a 22-year venture.
From Nov. 12 through Dec. 31, 1883, The Union ran the following advertisement: “FOR SALE – ON ACCOUNT OF THE removal of the brewery business of the Sutterville Brewery, the buildings and property of same are offered for sale on reasonable terms. Inquire of N. THIELEN, proprietor, or of CADWALADER & PARSONS.”
Nearly four months later, The Union, reported details regarding an auction, as follows: “REAL ESTATE AT AUCTION – Bell & Co. will sell at auction Tuesday, March 18, (1884), on the premises, at 11 a.m., the property of N. Thielen, known as the Sutterville Brewery, and about five acres of good land connected therewith. It includes the brick and frame buildings, barns, sheds, windmill, pump, tank with capacity of 4,500 gallons; underground pipes connecting with frame and brick buildings; large lot of fruit trees and shrubbery, etc. Sale positive. Terms, 10 percent on day of sale; balance when deed is made. Buildings open for inspection until the day of sale.”
The brewery auction, which The Union noted “should receive more than ordinary attention,” was postponed until the following Saturday.
However, for some reason, the auction did not occur until July 19, 1884, when Sheriff Alfred H. Estell sold at auction the brewery property and its buildings to the Germania Building and Loan Association of 1011 4th St. for $2,200. The brewery’s machinery was not included in the sale.
A grand opening for a new business, the Sutterville Garden, owned by William Emerson at the old brewery site, was held on Saturday evening, July 14, 1884. The event, which was free to the public, included music and dancing.
The property changed hands once again in 1890 and was reopened as the Mount View House. Owned by J. P. Melchior, who had previously owned a saloon at the southeast corner of 10th and S streets at the present day site of the Old Ironsides bar, the business advertised itself as featuring “the finest wines, liquors and cigars.”
In the Jan. 27, 1899 edition of The Union, it was noted that George Gray, who resided on Riverside Road (today’s Riverside Boulevard) “is now proprietor of the old Sutterville Brewery on the lane between Sutterville and Freeport Road.”
The two-story, brick Sutterville Brewery building was demolished in 1952, and occupying the site today is the Land Park Business Center at 1250 Sutterville Road.

Photo courtesy

Meetings held throughout the City to help residents continue to prepare for flooding emergencies

The City of Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation Neighborhood Services Division continues its series of public meetings throughout the City to discuss disaster preparedness.

“These meetings are designed to help residents understand the risks of flooding and how they can best be prepared,” said Vincene Jones, Neighborhood Services Division manager for Department of Parks and Recreation.

The City-County Office of Emergency Services, Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, City of Sacramento Fire and Police Departments will be in attendance at these events, as well as the Department of Utilities and Animal Care Services. The groups will share information with residents about emergency preparedness and flooding risks in Sacramento.

“Sacramento is a city surrounded by levees and while much of our City has been removed from the floodplain, there is still a risk of flooding. It is something that all of us should be aware of and prepare for,” Jones said. “I encourage residents to come, be safe and flood ready.”

A list of the dates and locations for meetings is below.

Disaster Preparedness Meetings 

Wednesday, Nov. 10

Location:  Pannell Meadowview Community Center

Address:  2450 Meadowview Road

                  Sacramento, CA 95832

Meeting Time: 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 15

Location:  Sam Brannan Middle School

Address:  5310 Elmer Way

                  Sacramento, CA 95822

Meeting Time: 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 17

Location:  Oak Park Community Center

Address:  3425 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd

                  Sacramento, CA 95817

Meeting Time: 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 29

Location:  Theodore Judah Elementary School

Address:  3919 McKinley Blvd.

                  Sacramento, CA 95819

Meeting Time: 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 2

Location:  Thomas Jefferson Elementary School

Address:  2929 Belmar Street

                  Sacramento, CA 95826

Meeting Time: 6:30 p.m.

A Christmas service is held in the church’s 5,500-square-foot sanctuary in this c. 1950 photograph. / Photo courtesy of Pioneer Congregational Church

Presently located at 2700 L St., this church – the Pioneer Congregational Church – was organized on Sunday, Sept. 16, 1849 in a schoolhouse on the northwest corner of 3rd and I streets.

During this time, the church was known as the First Church of Christ and was led by its pastor, the Rev. Joseph Augustine Benton.

Benton, who served as the church’s pastor for all of its first 14 years, with the exception of an 18-month leave of absence, boarded the California-bound ship, Edward Everett, in Boston on Jan. 12, 1849.

Aboard the ship was a group of 150 men, of whom Benton was their chaplain.

After reaching Yerba Buena (present day San Francisco) seven months later, Benton spent only four days there before making his way to Sacramento.

Despite reaching Sacramento on July 14, 1849, Benton arrived sick and was unable to immediately preach.

Yale grad pastorAn early record of the church shows that Benton, who was a graduate of Yale College (present day Yale University) and the Yale seminary, preached in a grove near the southeast corner of 3rd and K streets on July 22, 1849.

Following this sermon, Benton spent about two weeks along the Mokelumne River and in his journal he noted the high costs of food in the area during these Gold Rush times. These prices included $5 for a loaf of bread and $1.50 for a pie.

About five weeks after returning from the Mokelumne River area, Benton served as chairman of the aforementioned Sept. 16, 1849 gathering that established the church to “embrace all Congregationalists and Presbyterians.” The policy of the church, however, was Congregational.

A report of the church’s early activities names 27 members of the church in 1849. The only female member of the church at this time and for its first two years was Mrs. James Alexander.

Two months after the church’s founding, a lot was purchased on 3rd Street, near M Street for the purpose of constructing a chapel.

The chapel was never built at this location, however, and the $1,500 invested in the property was exchanged for a 40-foot by 80-foot parcel on the west side of 6th Street, between I and J streets.

The Rev. Joseph Augustine Benton, shown in this historic drawing, served as the church’s first pastor from 1849 to 1863. / Image courtesy of Pioneer Congregational Church

1850 misfortunes

A natural disaster occurred in Sacramento on Jan. 8, 1850, as floodwaters spread from the embarcadero to Sutter’s Fort. And as a result of the flood, religious services in the city were suspended for the following two months.

On April 7, 1850, a committee was formed to raise funds to have a church structure built on the 6th Street property.

After the frame of a building was purchased and arranged to be delivered to Sacramento for the future church, the main part of the frame was burned in a fire in San Francisco on May 3, 1850.

First cornerstone laid

The following month, a parsonage was constructed on the property and the cornerstone was placed for the new church on Sept. 4, 1850.

When completed, the Grecian-style church building measured 30 feet by 60 feet and included a tower and a gallery for the choir.

Ironically, the church’s Ladies Benevolent Society was established on July 13, 1853, which was exactly one year prior to one of the most tragic times in the church’s history.

1854 fire

The church, which had a bell added to its features and had been enlarged by 12 feet, was destroyed in the July 13, 1854 fire that began shortly after 1 p.m. at the back of B.C.

This flyer advertises for the Jan. 11, 1865 lecture by the church’s second pastor, the Rev. Isaac Edson Dwinell. The event raised funds for the purchase of the church’s organ, which was acquired during the following month. /Photo courtesy of Pioneer Congregational Church

Newcomb’s furniture store at 77 K St., between 3rd and 4th streets. The fire continued to 7th and I streets, where it destroyed the county courthouse.

Only two weeks passed before efforts were made to build a new church building.

In the meantime, services were held at a pair of alternative sites, including at a theater building on 3rd Street, between I and J streets.

Second cornerstone laid

On property purchased by the church, almost directly across from the old church on the northeast side of the alley between I and J streets on 6th Street, the cornerstone for the new church building was laid on Sept. 21, 1854.

A dedication service, which included a sermon by Benton, was held on Dec. 31, 1854.

Presbyterian exodus

1950s members of the Pioneer Congregational Church’s all-female Tri-S Club, which was founded in 1932. (Left to right) Mary Stacy, Lois Sucher and Marjorie McKesson. / Photo courtesy of Pioneer Congregational Church

By early 1856, all but two Presbyterians left the church to assist in establishing the First Presbyterian Church in Sacramento.

A week following Benton’s 10th anniversary sermon on June 14, 1859, he took his aforementioned leave of absence, as he traveled around the world. This trip included time spent in China and the Holy Land.

After his return to Sacramento, Benton gave lectures about the Holy Land and other places he had visited.

The winter of 1861-62 brought a devastating flood to Sacramento and as a result of this flood, 14 inches of water sat on the church’s floor before it was raised.

On Feb. 22, 1863, Benton preached his farewell sermon, as many tears were shed.

Benton, who passed away on April 9, 1892, was buried in a cemetery at the corner of 13th and Clay streets in Oakland.

Second pastor

Succeeding Benton as pastor was the Rev. Isaac Edson Dwinell, who served in this position for 20 years.

About a year after Benton’s departure, a well documented drive was conducted to obtain an organ for the church, which was then often referred to as the Sixth Street Congregational Church. The church was officially incorporated as the First Congregational Church of Christ on June 20, 1899.

The organ drive resulted in a Boston-manufactured organ, which The Sacramento Union later called “the largest and finest instrument of the Pacific Coast outside of San Francisco,” being purchased and transported to the church from Massachusetts. The first concert using this organ was held on Feb. 23, 1865.

In 1905, the church building underwent an extensive interior renovation, which included the laying of new carpet, the placement of new stained glass windows and the remodeling and enlargement of the organ through funds provided by the heirs of Charles and Mary Crocker.

The renovated church was the site of local aid given to refugees of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, as cots were provided in the basement and food and clothing were distributed.

In June 1910, Cornelia E. Fratt donated the northeast corner of 15th and P streets to the church and discussions were held regarding the possibility of the construction of a new church building. The church, however, decided not to build a structure at this site.

In 1923, the church’s 6th Street property was sold for $35,000 and despite a movement by Mayor Albert Elkus to save the old church building, which had also served as the city’s only auditorium, the structure was eventually demolished.

Although the church purchased property at 29th and J streets, it was discovered that the site was too small for its planned church building.

As a result, property was acquired just west of the church’s then-temporary meeting site – the Tuesday Clubhouse at 2722 L St. – for the construction of the present church building.

Third cornerstone laid

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new church building were held on March 30, 1926 and the cornerstone was laid six days later.

Pastor Phil Konz has been serving as the church’s settle minister since last August. He will officially be installed as the church’s pastor on Feb. 27. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Lance Armstrong

The current church building, which was constructed by the McGillivray Construction Co., was dedicated on Nov. 21, 1926. It was also during this time that the church became known as the Pioneer Memorial Congregational Church.

Part of the historic Crocker organ was placed in the church structure and Mary E. Noyes donated the church’s large lantern lighting fixtures.

Centennial in 1949

In celebration of the church’s 100th anniversary, a “Centennial Week” was held from Sept. 11–18, 1949. The event concluded with a historical pageant on the Sutter’s Fort lawn, directly across from the church.

The church celebrated its 125 anniversary, beginning with the Wild West Picnic in Elk Grove Park in 1974.

A unique moment in the church’s history occurred during Queen Elizabeth’s 1983 tour of Sacramento.

During the queen’s visit to Sutter’s Fort, members viewed the event from the church, while the church’s bell announced and welcomed her arrival.

It was also during 1983 that the Rev. Lewis Knight, who is best remembered for his ministry with Francis House and AIDS patients, was installed as minister.

In 1992, George Meir, who according to the church’s history is “charged with leading the congregation toward renewal and revitalization,” began his pastorate at the church, which developed its mission statement: “Spiritual Pioneers caring for God’s diverse community.”

Progressive church

The church’s settle minister since last August, Pastor Phil Konz, 60, recently described the church as “always being on the cutting edge.”

The Pioneer Congregational Church sanctuary is shown in this recent photograph. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Lance Armstrong

“As you come into the sanctuary, there’s beauty and serenity, but there’s also a sense of history and tradition, while at the same time, everything that we do from the preaching and the activities in the congregation and the community is progressive,” said Konz, whose official installation as the church’s pastor will occur on Feb. 27. “While churches were arguing in the 1960s about ordaining women, our forebearers were doing that in the 1850s. While integration was a big issue in the 1960s, our forebearers had already done that in the 1700s. Where ordaining gay clergy is a big issue today, we passed that barrier 30 years ago and we ordain gay clergy now. So, always being on the cutting edge has been part of this and having a traditional-looking sanctuary helps us to be rooted in the past, but it also frees us to go on and become pioneers in spiritual issues.”

In summarizing the church’s many changes, Konz, who was born in Nigeria and was the son of a Lutheran missionary, said, “We like to say our faith is 2,000 years old, but our thinking is not.”

Konz added that the church, which is a United Church of Christ denomination, “concentrates on unities and not divisions and the things that unite us as human beings.”

Today, the church, which has less than 100 members – a vast difference compared to the about 1,600 members that were on the church’s rolls during the 1950s and early 1960s – shares its building with the Spiritual Life Center, an independent interfaith church.

For additional information regarding this historic Sacramento church, visit www.pioneer.ucc.net.

lance@valcomnews.com

The current, gothic-style Pioneer Congregational Church building was constructed in 1926. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Lance Armstrong

Golden 1 senior vice presidents Scott Ingram, Tammy Davis and Bill Thorla present River City Food Bank Executive Director Eileen Thomas with a $5,000 check to help with the fire restoration project.

The Golden 1 Credit Union announced that it has opened an account to allow members of the community to donate much-needed funds to River City Food Bank, following the devastating fire that damaged both the organization’s building and its stockpile of food.

“We are grateful the River City Food Bank is there year-round for the community, providing food for those in need,” said Donna Bland, interim president and CEO. “We have made it a priority to help this organization get back on its feet as quickly as possible and part of that is providing the community with an easy way to make monetary contributions.”

Eileen Thomas, executive director of the River City Food Bank, said, “We thank Golden 1 and its employees for their support. Efforts such as these will help us get back on our feet much quicker.”

Establishing an account for relief efforts is the latest step Golden 1 has made to help the River City Food Bank recover from the fire that occurred on Oct. 22. Other measures include the donation of $5,000 cash and an employee canned food drive spanning Sacramento that has already resulted in great response.

“We have had an outpouring from employees inquiring how they can help,” continued Bland. “It is always inspiring to see the sense of civic duty present in our staff.”

Donations to the River City Food Bank Fire Fund account will be accepted at all Golden 1 branches.

The Golden 1 Credit Union is California’s leading credit union, with more than 80 offices, $7 billion in assets and 680,000 members.

Donna Bland, Golden 1 interim president & CEO / Photo courtesy of Golden 1

SACRAMENTO – The Golden 1 Credit Union announced today that they will present River City Food Bank in midtown Sacramento with a check for $5,000, following the devastating fire that damaged both the organization’s building and its stockpile of food.

“Golden 1 has been a longtime supporter of organizations in the communities we serve,” said Donna Bland, interim president and CEO. “We are saddened by this turn of events and decided to take immediate action.”

In addition to this donation of cash, Golden 1 employees plan to show their support by contributing to a canned food drive at all of Golden 1’s Sacramento-area offices and its Operations Center.

“With the holidays just around the corner, we know the food bank is going to face increased demand,” added Bland. “Golden 1 is committed to helping River City Food Bank meet that demand and challenges all other area businesses to help in this time of great need.”

The Golden 1 Credit Union is California’s leading credit union, with more than 80 offices, $7 billion in assets and 680,000 members.

Seniors-smiling

Seniors can learn about free services, including:

• Free flu shots with Medicare Part B
• Eye screenings
• Dental exams
• On-site pharmacists
• Home and fire safety
• Haircuts/grooming
• Massages
• On-the-spot legal assistance
• Crime prevention workshop
• “Free Bookstore”
• Gardening tips
• Much more.

There will be leisure enrichment resources, a senior café and more. Language translation available.

The Senior Awareness Day is sponsored by the City of Sacramento’s Neighborhood Services Division and Department of Parks and Recreation. The Pannell/Meadowview Community Center is located at 2450 Meadowview Road (corner of 24th Street and Meadowview Road) in Sacramento. For more information, call (916) 808-6525.