Our Fifteenth Anniversary

The nation’s Bicentennial of 1976 was a very active year at First Presbyterian Church of Sun City. University of Life classes, which continue today, were introduced. Plans were approved for a new, much-needed office building and Memorial Chapel that would seat 145 persons. A new Pictorial directory was published, graced with a cover printed in color.

March of 1977 brought ground breaking for the new Memorial Chapel and office building. All furnishings for the chapel, including the windows, pews, carpet, light fixtures, etc., were purchased by church members as Memorial gifts. Financing for the Chapel was completely provided by loans from church members. A new Handbell Choir was being directed by Mrs. Beryl Brandes. By December of 1977 both the Memorial Chapel and office building were completed, had been dedicated and were in use.

The fifteenth anniversary of the First Presbyterian Church was celebrated in 1978 by a capacity crowd at the Lakes Club for a “sit down” dinner. Membership had reached an all-time high of 1,478 members and 113 affiliate members. The Rev. Victor Augsburger became Minister of Visitation and the church had its first mission tour. The “Dial-a-Prayer” program began that year and continues today as part of our outreach program.

Dr. Calhoun retired on October 31, 1979, The Rev. Clifford Chaffee was added to the staff as an additional Minister of Visitation while his wife, Mary, became the new Director of Music. Dr. Lee Walker became “Consultant.” During 1971 a “Seder Supper” with members of the neighboring Jewish Temple was held, a retreat for 70 church members and spouses was planned and would take place at a resort near Tucson. The portrait gallery of past and present pastors of the church was completed by Kay Martin; the display adorns the walls of the courtyard sanctuary entrance and overflows to other areas.

The Rev. Douglas P. Wright was presented to the congregation as the 4th senior pastor on October 21, 1979, and installed on December 1, 1979. Dr. Wright would serve for nine years, the longest term for a senior pastor in the history of this church.

In talking to Dr. Wright, he recalled the University of Life which, at that time, met only once a year for four consecutive weeks—the assembly so large it would be broken up into smaller groups, each group studying a different topic ranging from Bible study to Finances. At the end of the four weeks the groups would gather together in the Sanctuary for a closing ceremony. He talked about having three Sunday church services, the first at 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel. Then he would hurry across the court and rush into the Sanctuary and up the steps of the chancel for the second service at 9:00 a.m., followed by the third service at 10:30 a.m. Many of the services were so crowded that chairs had to be placed in the aisles to accommodate worshippers.

Men’s breakfast seldom had fewer than 125 in attendance. At the monthly pot luck dinners, three banquet tables were pushed end to end to create a long table seating 24 in order to accommodate the 300 diners. Guests were told which food to bring and where they were to be seated. Their food was set at their table and they walked around the table to fill plates, each group of tables creating its own “pot luck” dinner. The Couple’s Club met on the first Friday of the month, Presbyterian Women and the Circles were all very active. This campus was a busy, swingin’ place!

~Donna Roth