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History of
San Marino Community Church
The 1948 Building Campaign
The following is from the 1948 fund-raising campaign for the
construction of the San Marino Community Church campus.
Our Purpose
The blessings of the Living God are upon
those who move forward in the build of His Kingdom. It was
God who said to Moses, "Say to the children of Israel that
they go forward." The Egyptian armies were approaching to
their rear, and the Red Sea was before them. They went
forward, in great faith, to the realization of God's
promises and the fulfillment of their dreams. God has led us
in the building of His church. One of the characteristics of
our fellowship in its seven years' history is that we are
ever pressing forward. We have come to the major step in the
life of the church - the building of our Sanctuary. Its need
is so obvious that our entire membership is committed to its
construction. In a recent meeting of the Church Corporation,
the membership authorized a campaign for funds to the end
that building can follow according to the careful planning
of our Building Committee and Board of Trustees.
A Growing Fellowship
The San Marino Community Church,
which was organized in 1941 with seventy-five members, now
has a membership of 856. Our Sunday School enrollment is
589. The first unit of the church was built at a cost of
$156,000. The current and benevolent budget for the year
1948 is $37,703.
The Church In Its Setting
The architecture of the church
is English Gothic Parish type. Historically, this is the
style of architecture which is the peculiar contribution of
the Protestant Church. Our church finds an appropriate
setting in San Marino, surrounded by home, school and
library; within the view of mountains which remind us of
permanence, yet keep us joyously alert with ever-changing
light and shadow. Let us build a church of beauty and
strength, and let it remind our people constantly that their
great joys and deep sorrows are sacred experiences. Let its
tower, pointing ever upward, cause us to aspire to finer
Christian ideal and living. As we build, "Let us think that
we build forever. Let it not be for present delight, nor for
present use alone; but let it be such work as our
descendants will thank us for."
Cost And Gifts
In December, 1947, a careful estimate
of cost was submitted to the Board of Trustees for the
completion of a structure designed to house the activities
of a church which would meet the need of today and for the
years to come. The cost of the building program, which
includes the Sanctuary, the Tower, the West Cloister, the
Chapel, the Organ and the furnishings, according to careful
estimates, will be in excess of $500,000. The Organ, Tower,
Chapel, Chancel and Garth Court have been pledged by five
families. This would leave approximately $356,000 to be
raised by pledges in building costs and other unforeseen
contingencies cannot be estimated with sufficient accuracy
as to assure any figure of cost, however carefully arrived
at, as final until the actual signing of the contract.
After your response to our financial needs are known,
construction will follow as soon as possible, although there
will be some time required for the negotiation of contracts
and the accumulation of a working fund.
We Will Build
It should be repeated that this is the
largest single step in the life of the church. It is
submitted with confidence in its attainment, after study by
the past and present officers of the church and the
favorable expressions of many of our members. These
thoughtful and hopeful expressions, and a careful analytical
study of possible giving, make the goal seem to be well
within reasonable possibilities.
As God Has Prospered ...
In such financial programs,
guidance is sought as to what will constitute a proper
participation by a family. Such a question is not
answerable. As God has blessed us, and according to our
appreciation of our roll as stewards, we answer in our
hearts and act accordingly. It is recognized that the
prosperity level of only some of our church families has
remained unchanged since 1945. Some have been favored with
material gifts beyond their hopes and real needs, and will
want to share largely their good fortune. There are some who
will not be able to do all they would wish. But each
according to his capacity will share, and God alone
understands the measure of our devotion.
The Procedure
As for the reaching of our goal - if all
the families who contributed to the Building Fund in 1945
will give an amount equal to one-third greater, and our new
families give according to the same average rate, our goal
will be attained.
The payment period suggested in this
campaign is 36 months. In 1945 it was 28 months.
Possibly the following table will be suggestive:
|
6 Subscriptions |
..... Total ..... |
$60,000 |
|
|
|
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10 Subscriptions |
..... Total ..... |
$50,000 |
|
|
|
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10 Families |
36 Monthly Payments Of $100 Each |
$36,000 |
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20 Families |
36 Monthly Payments Of $50 Each |
$36,000 |
|
40 Families |
36 Monthly Payments Of $40 Each |
$57,600 |
|
50 Families |
36 Monthly Payments Of $30 Each |
$54,000 |
|
50 Families |
36 Monthly Payments Of $20 Each |
$36,000 |
|
70 Families |
36 Monthly Payments Of $10 Each |
$25,200 |
|
20 Families |
36 Monthly Payments Of $5 Each |
$3,600 |
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|
|
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The Result Would Be |
$358,400 |
A
pledge card is enclosed. Payment plans "A," "B" and "C" will
probably fit themselves to the situations in most of our families,
but should a particular plan be needed under some individual
circumstances, space under "D" permits its incorporation in your
pledge.
Shortly, a member of the church will call upon you. Will you in
the interval make the Building Plan and its implementing a subject
of your careful though and discussions around the dinner table?
Lift The Cross
The Celtic Cross in the forecourt of our
present building is designed to be placed on the height of the front
elevation of our Sanctuary. Jesus said about Himself, "If I be
lifted up I will draw all men unto me." And He does draw all men. In
the symbolism of that great Christian truth, we have the unfinished
task of lifting up the cross to its planned position, that as a
constant reminder of Christ's love it draw men, women and youth to
follow Him. Let us share in the lifting of the cross.
Toward The Completion
Thus, briefly, is presented a
purpose, a plan and a procedure.
With a firm belief in God and a
sincere desire that the way of Christ be known in the lives of our
people, the members and friends of the San Marino Community Church
have committed themselves to the construction of this building. Let
this church be dedicated to the glory of God; let our citizenship be
led in the way of truth through Christ; and let the people find the
way of peace in their hearts and in the world as we follow Jesus.
"Blessed are those people whose God is the Lord."
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