Setting record straight on church history
In connection with articles published recently concerning Los Altos history, I would like to point out that the first church built in Los Altos was Christ Episcopal Church at 461 Orange Ave.
A small group of Episcopalians met on Palm Sunday in 1913 for services. On Aug. 19 1913, a meeting was held in the home of Dr. W.P. McDermott to organize the church mission, with a sum of $7.50 per month for Sunday services at the Shoup Building until the church was built. Two lots had been bought on Orange Avenue for $750 and architects Coxhead & Coxhead of San Francisco were hired to design the church.
On Saturday, April 4, 1914, the cornerstone was laid for the new church. It was a gala outdoor occasion and Mrs. Paul Shoup loaned her piano, which was brought by wagon. In August, the new church was completed and paid for.
Because of the great growth in the 1950s, the church bought lots on Border Road to build a larger church. The historic Orange Avenue building was sold in 1962 to the Foothills Congregational Church.
In 1961, the Episcopalians moved to the new buildings at 1040 Border Road. The bell from the old church was stored until the new church was built. The bell had been a gift in 1913 from a Mr. Morton. He had given $150 to buy the bell, which was cast in San Francisco. After all these years, the bell still is in use and you can hear it ringing every Sunday before the services begin.
Margaret Thompson
church historian,
Christ Episcopal Church,
former Los Altos historical commissioner
Responsibility of tree maintenance
First of all, kudos to the gentleman who wrote about the city’s fiasco in planting trees “in” the street on Clark Street (June 27 Town Crier letters).
My comment regards the city ordinance, “9.20.025 Trees – Property owner maintenance responsibility.”
Twenty or so years ago, the city planted trees in elected neighborhoods in the city-owned strip in front of privately owned residences. At that time, the city maintained the trees. Then the city decided the budget couldn’t handle this and passed an ordinance that required property owners to bear the financial burden of maintenance.
I am a widow living on a fixed income (no pension) and have to carefully budget my income. Recently, I have had three incidents regarding the city-planted trees in front of my property. First: a sprinkler repair due to roots from city-planted trees – I bore the cost of that repair. Second: twice in recent months, branches have broken off from said trees and fallen in the street. Once the city took care of it, once my gardeners took care of it.
I have lived in Los Altos since 1956 and obviously love living here. However, with my limited income I feel the city should rescind the above ordinance and revert to city maintenance of city- planted trees.
Pat Christofferson
Los Altos
Excellent summary of chloramine issue
The July 4 article by Megan Ma about using chloramine as a disinfectant in our water was an excellent summary of where this issue stands in our state.
Assemblyman Ira Ruskin (D-Redwood City) has proposed two bills calling for health studies on the effects of chloramine, but they have stalled in committee hearings. We, the public, need to be educated about the health effects of chloramine, which can only be done through scientific health studies. Until these are completed, our water should be disinfected with chlorine, not chloramine (chlorine plus ammonia). Our health is at stake!
Barbara Kyser
Los Altos
