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Church Established 1902/1903 - Plans to establish an Episcopal Church in Fort Bragg began in 1902 when
Messrs. Harold Pi mmer and John Weller approached Bishop Moreland. The first services were held in1903 by Fr. Crook of Ukiah.
Guild 1905 - A ladies group was organized in 1905 by Mrs. J. E. Weller and was named "St. Veronica's Guild". In January, 1907 these ladies pledged $1,200 to build a Guild Hall and were holding meetings and church services there by June of that year. The Guild Hall was completely redecorated in 1978 when a new fireplace replaced the original. All work and materials were donated.
Church Building 1909/1910 - The church building was begun in 1909 and dedicated on Palm Sunday, 1911. The-name of the architect has been lost to us but the structure shows the turn-of-the-century design influences of the "Craftsman" and "Mission" shingle style of the Arts & Crafts Aesthetic Era, with California adaptations (according to Architects Bernard Maybeck and Green & Green). The pews are made from solid planks of virgin redwood. The arches and beams are in the traditional shipwright configuration used in churches.
Priests and Early Members - Between 1902 and 1952 there were many Vicars, Deacons, Postulants and one gea-coness in charge of services at various times. Early active members were Mr. & Mrs. R. D. Gerard, Mr. & Mrs. C. R. Johnson, Dr. and Mrs. W. R. Lane, Mr. William Ward, Mrs. Craft, Mrs. A. Bangs, Mrs. E. Brown, Mrs. Racine, Miss Gerard, Mrs. Royster, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Hyde, Mr. Sydney Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Swales and Ida Montgomery.
Social Hall / Fr. Richard Larsen (Years 1952/1970) - The newer social hall and Sunday School rooms, now known as Larsen Hall, connecting the two original buildings, was begun in 1964 under the leadership of Fr. Richard H. Larsen - who served here as Vicar and Rector for thirty four years (from 1952 until his retirement in 1987). He also saw the addition of the redwood dosser panels (behind the Altar) which were specially milled from a single tree. Their unbroken and impressive lines symbolize the Ascension of Christ into Heaven. A new pulpit and prayer desk, locally crafted, were also added at that time. Other changes include many beautiful Altar furnishings such as Eucharistic Vessels, Bishop's chair, linens, vestments, candlesticks, books, and landscaping. Most were given as memorials and gifts of thanksgiving. Of special interest are the Michael windows.
Windows - 1974/1984 - The stained glass windows replace the original amber glass double-hung sash and some leaded multi-light panes. They were all designed by nationally-acclaimed, local artist Charles Stevenson. He made full size paintingswhich served as "cartoons" or work plans and which are, through the artist's generosity, now hung in Larsen Hall. All glass work was accomplished locally by stained glass artisans Larry and Margo Brookins - who crafted every window. The handcarved wood frames and pediments were done by Bob Collier of Mendocino. (See Windows here)
All but four of the eleven windows depict a vigorous and athletic Angel, Michael, in various attitudes of praise and benediction. The Narthex pane shows the Infant Christ and was dedicated one Christmas Eve. The pair of Angels in the Altar Sanctuary windows are swinging golden censors. Note the unusual handling of the free-hanging panes with wings and billows of incense made separately and applied front and back in an impressive composition. The latest window is in the South facade and shows four angels showering us with stars.
1985 - 1990 - In 1985 new wallpaper was installed behind the Altar. All of the walls were repainted and wainscoting rejuvenated. Fr. Ellsworth Wayland served as our interim priest from the fall of 1986 until November, 1987. Fr. James Swearingen served from April, 1988 to the fall of 1990.
1990 - 1991 - In 1990 a sufficient sum was pledged to begin replacing the roofs of all church buildings. Works is continuing and should be completed in late spring of 1991. We hope to refinish the floors and replace the carpet runners in the near future.
On Ash Wednesday, 1991, The Rev. Canon W. Bart Kendrick came to St. Michaells as our priest. We look forward to working with him not only to realize our present goals but to explore new and exciting ideas as we grow and prosper in years to come.
History of parish
The Episcopal Church came to Fort Bragg within a few years of the city's beginning, when in 1902 Bishop Moreland held the first Episcopal communion and confirmation services.
The following year, the Rev. Frederick Crook from Ukiah was assigned to the new congrgation, but it was not until two years later that he was able to begin monthly communion services here. In his four years of ministry on the coast, he built a large congregation and our first building, the old guild hall (1907). Much credit should be given to him for our beginning as he worked with very poor health and terrible traveling conditions. Fr. Crook returned for a year in 1914-1915 when the coast would have been without a minister.
Father John Barrett was our first resident priest, serving from 1909-11. His two years saw the erection of our church building, which was dedicated on Palm Sunday, 1911 and finally consecrated 17 years later.
Following these two founding Fathers, the church was served for the next forty years by numerous priests, postulants, deacons and lay readers for periods varying from seven months to six years. At times, dedicated laymen kept the doors open without clergy in charge.
During these early years, St. Michael's was an active church, with choir and Sunday school from the beginning. before the first building was built, a ladies guild was organized, later named St. Veronica's Guild, and still continuing as the very active Episcopal Church Women. Youth groups were established as early as Fr. Barrett's time for both boys and girls.
Fifty years after its founding, St. Michael's began a second era with the calling of the Rev. Richard H. Larsen, who was to lead the church here for 35 years until his retirement in 1986. During his tenure on the coast, the choir, Sunday school, and ECW continued as active components of the church. For more than 20 years, the church sponsored a Boy Scout troop. For many years a bridge group supported the work of the church, as did the benefit games group. Fundraising commitnity-wide activities such as dinners and rummage sales, as well as catering by the choir, helped keep the church afloat financially. Over the years Fr. Larsen extended the services of the parish to neighboring areas, especially Point Arena and Comptche.
When Fr. Larsen came to St. Michael 's and promised to stay at least 10 years, the church purchased the small rectory in 1954. In 1962, the new hall (now appropriately named Larsen Hall) was built joining the church with the old guild hall. A testimonial dinner in 1968 paid,off all other debts, and when the hall mortgage was burned in 1974, we were debt free and have remained so since that time. We have been self-supporting parish since 1960.
Our redwood church is classic in its California Mission design, complemented with many improvements. Over the years we have added the kitchen and restrooms, a modern heating system, organ, redwood altar paneling, handcrafted pulpit, brasses, and churchbell. During the 1970's, the church received its most outstanding feature, the beautiful original stained glass angel windows.