SAN MATEO, Calif. — Former Sturge Presbyterian Church members who have since moved away from the institution, joined current members for service on Oct. 20 to celebrate the institution’s 100th anniversary, followed by lunch.
Church members and reverends shared the church’s history during the bilingual service.
“It’s such a joy to celebrate 100 years of life together, of God’s faithfulness together,” Drew Yamamoto, the church’s senior pastor, said.
According to The Daily Journal, the first Japanese Christian service was held around 1923. The outlet also reported that the church was first located on Tilton Avenue in San Mateo, Calif. Bob Wilmot, a church elder, shared that in October of 1924, Japanese Christian services began, led by the Rev. Shokichi Hata, meeting at what was then known as the Congregational Church of San Mateo.
Wilmot added that Dr. Ernest Adolphus Sturge, whom the church is named after, helped establish Japanese Christian churches around California.
During World War II, persons of Japanese descent were incarcerated in concentration camps across the country following then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s signing of Executive Order 9066. Sturge church members who were affected by the executive order were mostly sent to Topaz (Central Utah) concentration camp, Wilmot said.
In 1945, church leaders established Sturge Memorial Cottage as temporary housing for those returning from the concentration camps. He added that in 1951, the church was re-established as the Japanese Independent Union Church and joined the Presbyterian church to become Sturge Presbyterian Church.
Steven Suwabe, a former church member, provided an overview of activities and fundraisers the church has held, including chicken teriyaki bento sales and church camps, in addition to Sunday School and youth group summer and ski trips.
Church elder Audrey Iwamura noted that the church’s offerings have included the 55 and over group, a luncheon for seniors who are 80 years and older, a praise club and a Vacation Bible School.
She added that the church provides “hapi meals” monthly to members who are unable to attend services. Deacons prepare 25 meals each month, she said.
Yamamoto asked the congregation to consider what “partnering and connecting to this community might mean.” He joked that he would love to have the congregation back before the 200th anniversary.
In light of the 100th anniversary, church members reflected on the occasion and what the future holds for the institution.
Momo Kamifuji said with a new minister, the congregation is hoping he will be able to “draw back the people who have missed that feeling of family.”
Another church member, Shoji Kent Ikeda, said, “It’s going to be very exciting (to see) what’s going to happen from here on out.” He added cautiously that over time, some churches merge and other churches close, and people just have to “accept it. That’s what change is all about.”
The Sturge Presbyterian Church is located at 25 S. Humboldt Street in San Mateo, Calif. (650) 344-6803. https://sturgepc.org/wp/. People can attend Japanese Nichigo worship at 9 a.m. and English worship at 10:45 a.m. on Sundays.
Max Nihei contributed to this report.
Nichi Bei News staff writer Derek Tahara is a Yonsei or fourth-generation Japanese American born and raised in Sunnyvale, Calif. He earned his B.S. in Journalism at the University of Oregon. He is a lifelong fan of the Golden State Warriors and San Francisco Giants.
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