History of Community United Methodist Church

1940: A group of retired residents started a prayer group to meet in the home of Gray and Ella Krumche. Guests were Jessie Duncan, Hattie Arnold, Nellie Wilet, Hilda Peterson, Mabel Pearson, Elsie Iverson and Mollie Longshaw.

1946: Dr. David C. Williams, a retired minister of the Methodist conference became their first minister.

1947: They moved to Joshua Tree Community Hall on El Poso and Easterly Dr. which was built by the Joshua Tree Federation Women's Club. Chester R. Bunker donated land for the chaple site on October 27, 1947. Pastor Williams turned a golden spade for the first bit of dirt. Construction on the church wasn't started until several years later.

1954-1956: Rev. Gertrude Maye Parker served. She had the ground breaking ceremony on June 2, 1955, Hallelujah! She turned the first spade of dirt followed by persons active in the church. They were George R. Bloom, contractor; John Duncan, Charles Krause, West Holsgraf, Jalmer Sandel, Jack Grengo, Frank Mitchell, Mrs. Fae Rodrick, Mrs. Alice Gobels, and four Sunday school persons, Bill Amrine, Billie Green, Linda and Beverly Glader. They all sang "Bless Be The Tie That Binds".

April 22, 1956: Dedication Service! Mrs. William Amrine and Dr. Fletcher Shaver said the Lord's Prayer. "Thank you God for your house in which everyone can serve you. Amen."

1956-1968: Through these next twelve years, all the Pastors did a fine job in our community. Our little church was the very first church in Joshua Tree.

1968-1973: Rev. Paul Hudson and his wife Vivian served. Pastor Hudson had our church join the other churches on holidays and they in turn came to our church. Mrs. Hudson was a great help to our Methodist Women's Group.

1973-1978: Pastor Robert O'Kane served. The Pastor helped build two new rest rooms, a Pastor's Office on the west side of the chapel. The chapel was made larger also. Our church was the first Senior Site #13 of the Nutrition center on March 8, 1974. It was held in the fellowship hall and all the U.M.C. women helped them. Lida Secrest was in charge. In 1979 they moved to a new Nutrition Center. Dorothy Sherman and Lucille McGee took part in helping with the handicapped one day a week, 9 a.m. to 3p.m. The Methodist women helped witj crafts. Lunch was sent over from the Nutriton Center.

1978-1981: Pastor Carl E. Stierie served. Pastor Carl had an invalid wife which took alot of his time. He had Sunday worship and the rest of his time was at home.

1981-1984: Pastor Ancel Arnold, his wife Fleta and three children came. Fleta was a big help to us. The pastor helped the Yucca Valley church get started and then was a part time minister there and with us.

1984-1989: Pastor Douglas A Hodson served with his wife Kris and three children. They lived in Yucca Valley,so it was decided to sell the parsonage. Pastor Hudson was part time minister for both churches.

1989-1992: Pastor Holly Rinehart Marean served. She lived in Desert Hot Springs with husband Rev. Tom Rinehart Marean and their daughter. Pastor Holly led a bible class each Sunday before church service.

1992-1994: Pastor Lee Seals served. He lived in Twentynine Palms with wife Liza and two daughters. He was part time minister there and with our church. They all were a musical family and shared their songs and guitar music with us. The family was active at the Play House in Joshua Tree.

1994-Present: Pastor Alfonso J. Murray III is now serving. He lives in Palm Springs with his wife Carmelita. His wife's family lives in Indio and have been very active in our church and became members. We now have a Sunday school, nursery, children's choir and a very loyal and hard working Lay Leader Ray Stagner and his wife Jane. The Women's Group started up again and received a Reorganization Poster from the Riverside District March 8, 1995. Pastor Al has an active ministry in helping the needy. He started a soup kitchen, has given food boxes and clothing to the folks in need. He now has a Family Life Center and helps those in need. A bible study is led on Wednesday evenings with Rev. Melvin Hagen who also assists the Pastor with worship service on Sundays. Lots of improvements have been made and are being made. Rev. Jonathon Brewer who also helps Pastor Al with the worship service Sundays, was instrumental in having a fence around the church for security. Sabrine Cordova is our new Sunday School Teacher. Sabrine has hopes of going into the ministry. She is busy now organizing a Vacation Bible School in August. Raechel Brewer is our organist. Raechel leads the children's choir and assists with Sunday School. From the Genie Swartout Memorial Fund, Jeannette and George Gresko had a new carpet and curtain installed on the stage area. The Jo Markham Memorial, Wendell Markham had a beautiful stained glass window of an Angel put in the Northex. Our members are working hard to get the church spotless for our 50th anniversary, August 4, 1996. Ray Stagner is in charge and hired the outside of the church to be painted. jan Clemens helped the women repair 75 folding chairs, putting new leather covers on them. Our Pastor's wif, Carmelita works very hard also on her days off from GTE. She just recently revarnished the outside sign that is in front of the church. Both Carmelita and the Pastor pick up day old bread and goodies in Desert Hot Springs every week for the congregation to take home on Sunday.

"God Bless us all this day - We Love what we are doing