Davis Community Church (Davis, CA)

Davis Community Church is a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation located in one of the oldest standing structures in Davis, California. Referred to locally as DCC, the church is a historical landmark^[1] centrally located in downtown Davis, just three blocks east of the University of California, Davis.

DCC's Vision: "Davis Community Church is, and seeks to become more fully, a congregation of Christians growing as a community in our identities as beloved children of God and becoming beacons of that love in the world. Beloved of God, Let Us Love"

DCC's Values: "Love, Inclusiveness, Justice, Integrity, Engagement, Trust, Generosity, Stewardship, Discernment, and Discipleship"

Davis Community Church is a member of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, a broad-based, national group of clergy and lay leaders working for a church that is simultaneously faithful, just, and whole. DCC is also a member of the Sojourners Faith & Justice Network.

History: 1800 - 1999

Davis Community Church has a rich and storied history, beginning in the early 1800s when Presbyterian congregations met in rural homes and school houses in Yolo County. Following the incorporation of the Town of Davisville in 1868, First Presbyterian Church of Davisville was formally organized. A wooden frame church was built at a cost of $4,000 on the northeast corner of Fourth and E Streets. In 1875, the original building was sold and the church's second structure was built on the southeast corner of Fourth and C Streets.

The town of Davisville officially changed its name to Davis in 1907. The church was completely destroyed by a fire in 1924. That same year, the church helped to establish the Cal Aggie Christian Association, now an ecumenical Protestant campus ministry located on Russell Boulevard.

In 1925, the church adopted the name "Davis Community Church." While maintaining its ties with the Presbyterian denomination, the church developed an ecumenical Protestant vision, declaring itself an interdenominational church, with ties to the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational denominations.

In 1926, the present mission style sanctuary building was built at the northeast corner of Fourth and C Streets. Representatives of Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Congregational, and Presbyterian denominations attended the cornerstone laying ceremony. Just eleven years later, an arson fire led to structural repairs of the sanctuary, including the installation of a stained glass window based on William Holman Hunt's painting, "The Light of the World," above the choir loft. A

The formal relationship with the Methodist and Congregational denominations ended in 1955, whereupon DCC became a solely Presbyterian congregation. However, it has maintained its ecumenical spirit and standing within the community to this present day, and has become a congregation committed to social justice and interfaith collaboration.

In 1960, the Church Office was built, followed by the Christian Education wing of the church two years later. In 1974, DCC responded to an expressed community need for childcare by forming the Davis Community Church Nursery School, a parent cooperative offered to the larger Davis community. The Davis Community Church Nursery School continues to operate as a parent cooperative on the corner of Fourth and D Streets.

Tragedy struck again in 1993 when an arson fire caused major damage to two new buildings under construction. The two buildings, the Fellowship Hall and Phoenix Hall, were re-built following the fire at a total cost of $1.8 million.

History: 2000 - Present

Davis Community Church continues its 143 year history as a community-based church, with Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Baptists, and others deeply involved in the congregational life. Davis Community Church is well-known in the community for its programs in the areas of education, peace and justice, and compassionate care.

Notable programs include:

Stephen Ministry: A program of lay people who are specially trained to provide one-on-one care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed and others facing a crisis or life challenge.

Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter of Davis: The Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter (IRWS) was created by DCC and other faith communities in 2007 as a response to the shortage of emergency winter shelter beds in Davis, CA. The IRWS serves over 100 homeless guests annually and is supported by a volunteer corps of 1,300.

Davis ArtsPlay: Davis ArtsPlay was created by DCC in 2010 as an offering for families with young children. The Mission of Davis ArtsPlay is "to provide affordable and accessible experiences to encourage children’s creativity through arts play." Davis ArtsPlay is open to all, without regard for financial, emotional, physical or developmental barriers.

Davis Empowerment Project: The Davis Empowerment Project (DEP) is a social entrepreneurial venture established by DCC, homeless individuals, and other community members. The Mission of the DEP is to "encourage self-esteem, value, worth and sense of purpose while empowering the homeless; provide service to our community and educate the public about homelessness; create a business that provides jobs for the homeless and returns wealth to the community; and support environmentally sound practices."

References

1. ^ The Davis Register (2010). "City Of Davis Designated Historical Resources."