The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-09
HONOR|NG DR.. STEBB|NS.
His Passionate of the First Unita-
rian Church Covers Thirty
One Years.
In Fifty Years Ministerial Work,
He Has Had Charge Of Only
Three Churches.

DR.. Horatio Stebbins has been in active
charge of the First Unitarian Church of
this city for the last thirty-one years. In
commemoration of this more than ordi-
nary significant occasion special services
were held at that church yesterday morn
ing. 1t was expected that the venerable
pastor would deliver an address on the
spiritual and material progress of San
Francisco since his advent here, but a
slight illness prevented more than few
words of thanks to those who sought to do
him honor.
Nearly every member of the First Uni
tartan Church was present yesterday morn
ing when the choir rendered its opening
selection. G. A. Murdoch made brief
but earnest talk, recounting in feeling
way DR.. Stebbins' long connection with the
church, and its wonderful growth under
his pastorate. Associate Pastor William
q. Elliot followed with a few well-timed
remarks, after which came the presenta-
ton to the church of magnificent life
sized portrait of DR.. Stebbins. The paint
Ing is from the brush of Miss Withrow, the
gifted young artist.
Sheldon G. Kellogg, in behalf of the Ia
dies of the congregation, delivered the
presentation address, dwelling at length
on the great personal strength of the pas
tor and the work he had done for the
church since he became its head. c. G.
Graham, for the trustees, also spoke briefly
of DR.. Stebbins and of the great love in
which he was held, not only by the con-
gregation, but by all with whom he came
in contact.
DR.. Stebbins, in voice choked with
emotion and stilled somewhat by reason
OF severe indisposition, spoke few words
of thanks for the kind things that had
been said of him, adding that he hoped at
some future day to deliver an address pre-
pared for this occasion, and in which his
connection with the church and Its subse-
quent growth would be briefly told,
The portrait presented by the ladies of
the congregation to the church occupied
prominent position on the rostrum. The
artist has been faithful in portraying the
distinctive characteristics of her subject,
in fact, in no essential detail has she failed
to reproduce in a perfectly natural way the
placid and strong features OF DR.. Stebbins.
DIR. Stebbins was born in Wilbraham,
Mass, in 1923. He is consequently II
years old. Nearly one-half of this time
has been spent in San Francisco as pastor
of the First Unitarian Church. For forty
five years he has been actively engaged in
church work, and it is as remarkable as it
is complimentary to his goodness that
his half century OF pastoral work has been
wholly consumed by three churches. The
earlier years of his ministerial career were
devoted to Unitarian church located at
Fitchburg, Mass. Later he moved to Port
land, Or, and in 1864 accepted call from
the First Unitarian Church of this City, or
Starr King Church, as it was best known at
that time. Under his guidance and by
earnest, conscientious work he has made
the Unitarian church one of the foremost
of all churches in this City.
Six years ago the present handsome
structure at the corner Of Geary and Frank
lin streets was erected, since which time
the congregation has grown both in riches
and numbers. DIR. Stebbin s church en-
joys the distinction of being the Oldest
Unitarian congregation on the Pacific
Coast. 1t was first established on Stock
ton street, between Clay and Sacramento,
the building now being used by the Afrl-
can Methodists.
DR.. Stebbins was member of the Board
of Regents OF the University of California
for twenty-six years, resigning only last
March. He still retains his connection
with Stanford University as trustee, po-
sition which he has held since that insti-
tuition came into existence.