History

Community United Methodist Church was founded in 1867 - originally a Methodist Episcopal church. The building that stands today was built in 1872 for a cost of $3,650. A chimney was omitted because of the $500.00 additional cost. The architectural style is Victorian Gothic Revival. The belfry is unlike spires of other San Francisco peninsula churches built in the comparable period. It is an octagonal cupola with cutout braces in the four arch openings. Originally, the church may have faced west. The San Mateo Gazette of April 20, 1872 reported "the church will stand about 20 ft. back from Johnston Street which it fronts, the side facing Miramontes Street on the south." After the 1906 earthquake, the Redwood City Democrat on May 10, 1906 stated, "the Methodist Church was thrown from its foundation and badly wrecked." More than a year after the 'quake, the same paper on 06/20/07 reported "The Methodist Church in Half Moon Bay has been rebuilt almost completely at a cost of $525.00, including a new bell. The interior has also been decorated and so thoroughly renovated has it been that it would hardly be recognized."

If the 1872 report was accurate then when the building was placed back on its foundation in 1906, it must have been turned 90 degrees to face south on Miramontes. In 2000, the church was turned to face west once again in preparation for construction of a new church and social hall.