Existing comment:
First Protestant Services: Episcopalians in Old Town:
The first Protestant denomination to obtain a foothold in San Diego was the Episcopalian. The Reverend John Reynolds was appointed chaplain of the Post at San Diego, December 31, 1850. He was army chaplain for the troops stationed at the mission until August 31, 1854.
The chaplain conducted services at the courthouse. The first service in Old Town was held at 3pm, July 20, 1853. An article in the San Diego Herald said, "An audience of over a dozen is rarely seen at the courthouse, where Dr. Reynolds preaches on Sunday, while the Sabbath calm is broken in upon by the riot of the inebriated, and the very words of the holy writ are drowned by the clicking of billiard balls and calls for cocktails from the adjacent saloon." |