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The redwood grove, located in the back of the church property, was established in 1960 as a living memorial to Nottley Stever Hammack, our pastor from 1939 to 1954. Reverend Hammack was invited to preach in Los Gatos on December 19, 1938 after the Pastoral Seeking Committee heard him preach at the Cupertino Church. He came to Los Gatos from Coronado and attended his first Session meeting as Pastor-elect on January 22, 1939. Over the fifteen years he served our church he developed a close relationship with many of the members and originated the concept of couples clubs, helping to form the Clipper Club in December 1939. In 1953, while attending a Synod meeting at Occidental College in Los Angeles he suffered a heart attack. Reverend E.C. Thomson, a previous pastor, was asked to be the acting minister during Rev. Hammack's recovery. In April 1954, Rev. Hammack resigned as pastor and moved to Pleasanton and served as Pastor at the Presbyterian Church until his death on June 2, 1958. Friends of Rev. Hammack wanted to establish a living memorial to him. In October 1959 a committee composed of Mrs. Robert Lundy, Mrs. George Kretsinger, Mrs. A. L. Cilker, and Miss Dora Rankin asked for contributions for a redwood grove. The grove was planted by volunteers and dedicated on May 29, 1960. In 1999 the Redwood Grove was upgraded to allow more church activities. A pathway, landscape lighting, additional plants and trees were added. These improvements were a donation by Mike and Pat Moore in memory of her mother, Eva Duran Vigil. Subsequently, two Eagle Scout projects have added benches along the pathway. Two bronze plaques commemorate the establishment of the Grove and its upgrade. When you enter the Redwood Grove remember to be thankful for the care, concern, and stewardship, which has provided this wonderful gathering area from which we all benefit.
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