St. John's Episcopal Church

St. John's Episcopal Church (1896) ²

St. John's Episcopal Church was the first Episcopal church in Oakland. At the first regular service on January 7, 1855, fourteen people were present. ³

Rev. E.W. Syle acted as the first rector. Rev. Benjamin Akerly was called as rector on March 1, 1858. ³

In 1887 the church was located on Grove Street (now Martin Luther King) between 7th and 8th Streets. Rev. Benjamin Akerly was still the rector, and he resided on the corner of Adeline and 16th Streets. Twice daily services were held at 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., along with Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.

Rev. Edward F. Gee was the rector circa 1904-1907.

St. John's Episcopal Church (1889) ¹

Links and References

1. Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room and Maps Division
2. Image(s) used by permission of the UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library
3. History of Alameda County, California, Vol 2. MW Wood: 1883

• Father Akerly Laid to Rest San Francisco Call August 27, 1897