Clarke noted that although the original Methodist church building — the first in Santa Paula — was not a fine example of architecture, “It was a good place in which to worship God.”
It certainly worked for Clarke, whose family were early members and who went on to become an attorney and State Legislator before returning to the practice of law.
In fact, he wrote, “The church was a large factor in assisting the building of that splendid institution now known as the University of Southern California. The first recruit was my old schoolmate, George S. Richardson, later Police Judge in Los Angeles for many years. George left us a rather drab fellow but came back with a football sweater and a head of hair resembling a chrysanthemum.”
George’s cousin, Charley Richardson, later attended USC and, wrote Clarke, was “probably the greatest all-around athlete every developed in Ventura County.”
Starting in high school and continuing at USC Hardison dominated various track and field sports as well as baseball before his tragic 1908 death while swimming at Port Hueneme.
First United Methodist Church remains a popular gathering place as well as a place of worship and each year hosts a community favorite, the Soup Kitchen & Bazaar featuring homemade arts and crafts, linen and other fabric art, tasty treats and Granny’s Attic Trash & Treasures room.
Gunderson said members of the congregation recognized the 140th anniversary of the church with a cake on Sunday, November 13 capping the church’s annual Thanksgiving Pot Luck.
