Welcoming - Worshiping - Working
in San Luis Obispo since 1867!
In 1860, the first daily stage runs from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo began bringing passengers and mail. More families were beginning to arrive. They brought a need to start a Sunday school for Protestants. The first meetings were held at Dr. W.W. Hays’ home, the Odd Fellows Hall and in the “schoolhouse east of the old jail”. Seven years later, on August 12, 1867, St. Stephen’s was organized. William Ingraham Kip, the first Bishop of the Diocese of California, gave canonical consent on September 4. (The delay of 7 years was possibly due to the drought from 1860-1864 and lack of housing for a priest.)
The first elected officers were: Sr. Warden, W.W. Hays, Jr. Warden, C.H. Johnson, Clerk, W.E Parker, and Treasurer, J.H. Hollister. Vestrymen were: John Hartford, H.W. Little, and G.F. Sauer. Others at the original meeting were: Thomas McGreal, John See, James Van Ness, David Mallagh, John Biggs, and Andrew Sauer. These men all came to California and San Luis Obispo to make their fortune. More than 150 years later, these names are found on our street signs, buildings and land areas, and their families are still prominent members of our community.
The church site for St. Stephen’s was located on a hill in “the best neighborhood of San Luis Obispo”. The land cost $10.00 in gold and the church nave cost $3,000 dollars. The design was “Carpenter Gothic” or “Gothic Revival” and was completed in 1873. It was made of hand hewn Monterey pine beams and frames from Cambria. The outside was covered with California redwood board and battens siding, with pine tongue and grove paneling, and plaster inside. It was 20 feet wide and 60 feet long. The length of available beams determined the width. The chancel, choir, robing room, sacristy and sanctuary were added later in 1889.
Between 1907 and 1910, the interior of the church was renovated by plastering the walls, installing electric lights and adding stained glass windows to replace the cathedral glass. Our windows were beautifully made, and except for one, the artists are unknown. Parishioners presented the St. Stephens’ window in 1937 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of our founding. The Rose window, in the choir area, was designed and made by parishioner Dale Owen in memory of his mother, Stella Owen. It was installed in 1994.
On Saturday evening, January 24, 1970, a wedding rehearsal was held at St. Stephen’s church. At 12:15am Sunday morning, a driver for the Yellow Cab Company called the fire department after seeing flames coming through the roof of the church. It was believed that the fire started because of defective wiring in the sacristy where vestments, linens and service implements were kept. The fire gutted the church building leaving large holes in the church roof and damage to the parish hall. The walls of the church remained standing and most of the stained glass windows were intact.
The Vestry agreed to rebuild the old church and add to the transept to enlarge it to seat 200. 25 months later, the church was open.
Today
Welcoming - Worshiping - Working
In 2017, St. Stephen’s celebrated is 150th anniversary! Our more recent history is chronicled on our Facebook page.
However, the best way to get to know St. Stephen’s is to join us!
