Cambrian Park

 United Methodist Church

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions! If you don't find your question listed here, just ask one of the members . 

Our History


(You may notice some holes in our history. If you would like to share your memories, please send an e-mail with the details to webdesigner@cambrianparkumc.org, so we can fill out our history section!)


Early in 1952 three acres of land were donated for a Protestant Church by Paul Schaeffer, President and E.B. Standish, Vice President of Cambrian Builders. And so our story began.


March 2, 1952 – First Sunday School class for adults was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Freeman (9 attended) and the first church service (32 attended)

March 19, 1952 – Santa Clara Planning Committee granted a use permit for the proposed parsonage on Leigh Avenue

April 13, 1952 – First Easter service was held at Union Elementary School

June 1, 1952 – Charter Member Sunday; thirty-one (31) members were received on that date

December 7, 1952 – Ground breaking for Wright Hall

May 30, 1954 – Consecration of Wright Hall which was used as the first sanctuary (cost $45,000)

March 24, 1957 – Ground breaking of present sanctuary

November 24, 1957 – First service in sanctuary.

March 9, 1958 – Sanctuary Consecration Service

September, 1960 – Boy Scout Troop 373 was founded and chartered. Bob Wilson, current church member, served as the second Scoutmaster.

February 9, 1961 – Ground breaking for Education Building

June 4, 1961 – Consecration of Education Building

June 1, 1962 – The 10th Anniversary Celebration, Rev. Sargent Wright was pastor.

1965 – Our Youth Building was built

December 1967 – Twenty-four members of the Methodist Youth Fellowship from Cambrian Park Church spent a week of their school holiday on a service project refurbishing the century old North San Juan Methodist Church near Grass Valley

1968 – Methodist Church merged with Evangelical United Brethren faith, creating the United Methodist Church

1972 – Women’s Society of Christian Service merged with Wesleyan Service Guild and changed name to United Methodist Women

July 1976 – Time Capsule was buried on church grounds near the office, to be dug up in year 2076

July 1977 – 25th Anniversary celebration; Rev. Richard Bimson was pastor

July 27, 1980 – Mortgage Burning Ceremony was held after all mortgages on the church were paid off.

1983 – The first year that our Methodist Youth Fellowship worked on the Sierra Service Project.

1983 – Adopted a room at the San Jose Family Shelter

1984 – Paint Party – Members painted the outside of the church in a single day!

1985 – Co-founded PACT (People Acting in Community Together)

October 15, 1989 – Dedication ceremony for the new Allen Digital Computer Organ (ADC7300) that was installed in November of 1988 by J. Nelson and Company

January 21, 1990 – The 1500th baptism in our church

December 31, 1991 – Value of church building and land at end of 1991 was $3,709,000.

April 19, 1992 – On this Easter Sunday, the 3000th person was recorded into membership of our church.  Our current membership roles stood at 594 on 12/31/91.

May 5, 1992 – Endowment Fund Mission Statement adopted at Charge Conference.

May 17, 1992 – The 40th Anniversary Celebration at Cambrian Park United Methodist Church

1993 – Parsonage was purchased on Almond Blossom Lane.

1996 – Renovated the nursery

1997 – Formation of the Blue Sky Committee to look at how we do “ministry”

October 31, 1999 – Adoption at Charge Conference of a Mission Statement and New Structure for doing ministry.

2002 – Celebrated our 50th Anniversary Celebration at CPUMC

2003 – Installed the Stain Glass Windows

September 2004 – Beginning of our Joint Youth Ministry with Almaden Hills UMC & Willow Glen UMC

2008 – Eco Landscaping

2009 – Amanda Network

September 2010 – Our Boy Scout Troop 373 celebrated their 50 Year Anniversary with a festival and catered barbecue. San Jose Vice Mayor Judy Chirco was the Keynote Speaker. Former Scoutmaster Bob Wilson and Susanne Wilson were in attendance. The Scoutmaster was Todd O'Connor.

2010 – Integrated Circuit (8 United Methodist Churches working together)

2011 – Joint 3 Church Family Mission Trip to Mexico

November 2011 – Installation of Solar Panels to reduce our carbon footprint. The $128,000 project was installed with no cash outlay and is expected to save CPUMC $125,000 over 20 years.