Longtime church member Cecil Wilkerson did this sketch of the current church.
In celebrating the 130th anniversary of its founding, the First United Methodist Church of Los Gatos will hold a Homecoming Service on May 19 for all of its current and former members and the community at large, followed by more festivities.
The day begins with a 9:30 a.m. service, when longtime members will be recognized. Following a continental breakfast reception at 10:45 a.m. is a program featuring a multimedia historical slide show and songs by the Children's Choir under the leadership of music director Jeffrey Amorosa. The Galliard Recorder Consort will provide free musical entertainment; for $5, visitors can attend the Saratoga Symphony's Music Under the Spire concert at 5:30 p.m.
A Fun Fair with face painting, balloons and treats will be available for children, as will nursery care.
The Fellowship Art Gallery will also be open to display photographs of the church's former sanctuary, items made from the oak trees cleared in the 1960s to make way for the current building, and other memorabilia on loan from the Forbes Mill Museum. A historical booklet covering the past 130 years in Los Gatos will be available for purchase.
As part of its community involvement, the First United Methodist Church of Los Gatos runs the Live Oak Nutrition Center and the Live Oak Adult Day Care program, as well as music programs, childcare, senior events, missions, community events and meetings.
The Church is located at 19 High School Court. For more information, call 354-4730.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, May 15, 1996.
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