Lakeside Church: 1900

In 1900, Rev. James Martin built Lakeside Church on Black Road above Los Gatos. Rev. Martin and his wife had been missionaries in Jamaica and were on furlough when his wife was injured making it impossible to return to Jamaica. Some friends had sent the Martins money for their work in Jamaica, however, when he found that they could not return to the island, and realizing the need for a church in the mountains above Los Gatos, Rev. Martin built the church.

In November 1911 a Bible, printed in 1860, and a lectern were presented to Lakeside Church by a J.W. Helmke of the First Presbyterian Church of Oakland. Following Rev. Martin's death, Rev. Wintler (of Los Gatos Presbyterian Church) conducted Sunday afternoon services at Lakeside Church, also known as Martin Memorial Church at Lakeside.

As the result of a disagreement, Rev. Wintler was asked to give up his work in the mountains. The little church slowly disintegrated and died. On 10 April 1934 the Presbytery of San Jose dissolved the congregation. Some of the people transferred their membership to our church and others joined with neighboring congregations.

Our church inherited two items from the Lakeside Church; the lectern which is in the Fireside Room, and the Bible on the lectern which faces the congregation each Sunday in the Sanctuary.

By Bob Ekstrand with excerpts from: History of the First United Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos, 1881-1972 by George W. Bruntz 1972