Kenwood Community Church

History

Founding and History

Our American Gothic-style church, built in 1888 in the heart of Sonoma Valley, is today one of only two remaining Northern California churches from that era.

The church was founded by twelve Congregationalist ministers, who wanted to establish a beacon of faith and piety in what was then a small railroad town swarming with land speculators.

Tall and white with a classic steeple, it reminds us of the New England churches that inspired it. The bell, which still rings each Sunday to welcome worshippers, came from the local train depot.

The original name of the church, the First Congregational Church of Los Guilicos, was changed to Los Guilicos Congregational Church, then later changed again to Kenwood Community Church.

A Humble Beginning

On July 13, 1887, the First Congregational Church of Los Guilicos met for the first time at the old Kirkwood Hotel to plan to build a church. Two ministers were present to help organize things. 

This group of twelve Congregationalist founders wanted their church to be a beacon of faith and piety in what was then a small railroad town swarming with land speculators.

By May 28, 1888, the church building had been erected at the corner of Los Guilicos and Laurel streets. A local paper reported: “The new church is small, but a pretty little structure.” The total cost was $2,500. 

It was officially recognized as a church in November 1889 at the meeting of the General Association of California, which eleven charter members attended.

It was meant to be a mission church, like several others founded in California at the time, beginning in Berkeley. Today, this sanctuary is one of only two in Northern California that remain from that era. 

Like our sister church on the Pacific coast in Pescadero, it was built in the American Gothic architectural style. 

​It was white with a tall steeple, just like the many New England churches that inspired it. The bell, which still welcomes us to worship, came from the town's train depot. 

The church had been built at the edge of what was then the Kenwood Marsh. Mud was deep during the years following construction. Winter rains turned that part of Kenwood into a swamp. So a lot at the present location on Channing Row was acquired. The deed is dated 1893.

What a site it must have been! The church was put onto logs and rolled three blocks and across a narrow bridge, pulled by horses! Were the stained glass windows in the church during the move? Or a bell in the belfry? Unfortunately, no one can recall.

The original name of the church was first changed to Los Guilicos Congregational Church and then changed again to Kenwood Community Church.