Thomas Bard

This year, 2012, marks the 120th anniversary of the Bardsdale United Methodist Church. The first services took place in 1892 when the Reverend George Alexander, under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church, preached the first sermon to a congregation of fourteen in an afternoon service in the Bardsdale German Evangelical Church. It became a charge of the Sespe Circuit of the Santa Barbara District and was served by circuit-riding pastors until the current church building was constructed in 1898.

Senator Thomas Bard donated two lots to the young congregation and Nathan Blanchard also made a substantial contribution to help parishioners move forward with the building process. Sespe brownstone was hauled across the Santa Clara River for the foundation and many months of labor began to bear fruit as the church building began to rise. Senator Bard stepped forward again and matched parish donations to help purchase the two original stained glass windows which still help illumine the beautiful sanctuary.

On April 15, 1898, Reverend C. B. Embree opened the dedication service with “The Lord is in His Holy Temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.” Mrs. Embree, renowned for her beautiful voice, sang a solo and the Bardsdale Methodist Episcopal Church became an architectural and spiritual fixture in the beautiful Santa Clara River Valley.

The present parsonage was added in 1911 at a cost of $1,700. Sunday School rooms were added on the east side during the next ten years along with other improvements.

In 1928, the church took on an added somber duty as it became a temporary morgue for the bodies recovered from the devastating St. Francis Dam collapse. The Great Depression, two world wars and numerous local natural catastrophes couldn’t keep the church and its congregants from growing in numbers and faith. That couldn’t be said about a piece of plaster in 1982, however.

On an August Sunday morning during Dr. Robert Ness’ pastoral prayer, that piece of plaster fell from the original ceiling onto the shoulder of long-time member Bob Morris. What was thought to be a simple repair job turned out to be a quandary in desperate need of prayerful consideration. Termites, dry rot, obsolete wiring, building codes and lack of funds proved to be important factors for the congregation to consider as they mulled over their options. After many meetings and a whole lot of prayer, the renovation began. under the supervision of general contractor, Don Hatfield, and lasted for four years.

With the Sanctuary filled with scaffolding and building materials, members worshipped downstairs in LeBard Hall for nearly a year as Dr. Ness led and inspired the faithful. During the week, he was often seen wearing overalls and wielding a hammer and other tools.

Up to this point, the church was served by a Robert Morton theater organ. While it was an adequate instrument, it was decided that now would be a good time to replace it with an organ that could be customized and installed while the Sanctuary was being renovated. Another $60,000 would need to be raised to go along with the $140,000 plus for the overall reconstruction. Choir Director John Brothers and Organist Roberta Palmer researched sources and chose the Schoenstein Organ Company of San Francisco to customize an organ for the Bardsdale Sanctuary. Dr. James Welch played a dedication concert October 5 1986 and returned last year to celebrate its 25th anniversary. This vibrant instrument has 688 pipes as well as the Angela Young Memorial Chimes.

With the completion of the renovation project, the Bardsdale church now met safety and building codes for earthquake and fire. A concrete ramp was also installed on the east side allowing those with disabilities to gain access to the sanctuary. Most recently, central air conditioning and heating was added for comfort during those chilly winters and blazing summers.

Today, the church is continually looking to expand its ministries and would love to welcome new members. A recent and generous gift of half an acre by long-time member Marge LeBard and family has opened new possibilities for expansion of the campus. Off street parking is a priority and there are visions of a new multi-purpose building to utilize for community events.

Today parishioners drive from Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Santa Paula and Ventura to join their Fillmore and Bardsdale neighbors to worship at one of two Sunday services led by the Reverend Kent Fromer. Marsha Porter directs the choir accompanied by Dennis Prichard at the organ and piano. Bardsdale’s hand bell choir is under the direction of Marcia Heerema and enhances the 10 am traditional service.

Early risers can attend the 8:30 casual worship and enjoy The Higher Grounds coffee fellowship down stairs in LeBard Hall. There are small study groups during the week and Kids Story Time meets Friday morning at 9:30. Each summer in July, upwards of eighty children enjoy a week of Vacation Bible School where they read and memorize Bible verses, do craft projects, conduct science experiments, sing and play. There is an active United Methodist Women unit that meets monthly and for guys there are the Bardsdale United Methodist Men (BUMMs).

In 120 years, a lot has changed. Once known as “The Church in the Orange Groves”, the white clapboard church is no longer nestled among the orchards. But one thing has not changed since that Sunday afternoon when fourteen souls met in fellowship and that is that the grace of the Holy Spirit and the warmth of the people of the Bardsdale United Methodist Church welcome you to a place where The Lord is in His Holy Temple.