In the Elmhurst section of Oakland California, near the corner of 98th Avenue and International Boulevard is the Elmhurst Presbyterian Church.
This church according to my father and that what was told to him from his parents and grand parents that his Great Grandfather was the pastor-reverend that built the Elmhurst Presbyterian Church.
William Moor Greenslade was a Civil War Veteran who served in the Army of the Cumberland as a member of the 81st Regiment of the Indiana Volunteer Infantry. During that time the family lived in Livonia Indiana just east of French Lick.
In 1898 he moved to Elmhurst and lived there until after the death of his son Theodore in 1907. The family then moved to Morgan Hill California, just South of San Jose.
We were going through some old boxes of my father's belongings (he passed in January 2008) and came across the obituary for his Great Grandfather (my great great grandfather) dated May 11th, 1910.
This spurred me onto go and scan in his obit and photograph the old church. Does anyone know where Hatzfeld Avenue was or is? Hatzfeld Avenue has to be in a bay area city, anywhere from San Martin all the way up to Oakland.
I'm going to have to check with Betty and Gail at the Oakland Cultural Heritage Survey to see what they know about this church's history.
Just thought I'd share with you all.
Just showing you that my family has been around the San Francisco Bay Area since 1898! Give me a call if you would like to buy or sell some real estate in the area. 510 334-7800
Michael, Thanks for this post, I have a church listed now and find blogs about them very interesting!
What a great story, and beautiful church.
Great story. Amazing that you found the obit after all this time. Good genealogy info in there. That stuff is priceless to people who like to work on the family tree.
The church still looks great. Well kept. I bet that there is a church historian that could help you with more details on the construction. They may even have some early photos fo the congregation, pastor, etc. Hope you find something of interest. If you do, please do a follow up story. Thanks.