Did You Know?

Interesting facts about our early days:

• The United Presbyterian Church was the original name.
• The church property is next to an Arizona Public Services substation - not the most attractive potential neighbor.  Early in 1963, APS advised the church that if we wanted to plant an oleander hedge along the south edge of our property to partially screen the view of the substation, APS would install the necessary piping and provide the water.  The offer was gratefully accepted.
• One of the first purchases made by the new church, since no secretary had yet been hired, was an answerphone attachment for the pastor's telephone - an early version of an answering machine.
• The monthly church newsletter was originally called "The Desert Chimes."
• Shortly after the congregation moved into the new church an argument erupted over whether the American flag should be placed to the right or the left of the pulpit.  Feeling ran so high over this matter that several members left the church.
• The first baptism in the church was held on July 31, 1966, for the grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. David Baird.  Many grandchildren have received the sacrament of baptism here since, including Emerson DahlDavis, the granddaughter of our current pastor, Rev. Davis.