By SANDRA BECKWITH Special to the Palisadian-Post This fall, a new concert/storytelling series will be launched in the Chautauqua tradition at the first church in the Palisades’Community United Methodist Church’and outdoors at Aldersgate Retreat Center on Haverford. Honoring the roots of its founding, the Palisades will once again be experiencing a variety of cultural and educational programs for all ages starting September 29. Aldersgate, the jewel nestled on Haverford next to the Woman’s Club, has a history that runs parallel to the founding of the Palisades. Even so, many Palisadians are unaware of this charming, Mission Revival-style house. Both Aldersgate and the adjacent Buerge Chapel speak of a bygone era of summer picnics and Sunday family dinners under a spreading tree. This lovely house wasn’t always called Aldersgate. Fifty years ago, a sign on its roof read “We Boys and J.O.C. Lodge,” a name that harks back to the legacy of two Sunday school classes with a lifelong relationship. These devoted members created a meeting place for summer reunions, weekend retreats, religious meetings and special events. Their bond stemmed from a common devotion to their Sunday school teacher and mentor, Eva Todd Burch. Beginning in 1893, with a class of six boys, Burch mentored kids with an uncanny understanding of the challenges of growing up. Her students referred to themselves as “We Boys,” although Eva lovingly called them “My Boys.” Over 2,000 boys attended her classes during the 18 years she taught. “Graduates” formed the “We Boys Society” in 1895, reputed to be the first organized Sunday school class with elected officials, a constitution and by-laws. The society expanded their fellowship to include social activities, debates and musical events. And the men retained their heartfelt regard for Eva, crediting her with molding their lives and giving them a deep sense of belonging. The female counterpart was a Sunday school class called J.O.C. (Jesus Our Companion). The two classes socialized together and a number of marriages came out of these relationships. Annual banquets were held, and Fourth of July picnics, watermelon cuts and reunions continued for years. By 1927, a fervent desire developed for a permanent center to meet, and a committee began to look for sites in the Palisades. They incorporated to prepare for purchase. In November 1927, members Jack and Ruth Elrath went to a downtown auction intending to buy a grandfather clock, but instead bid and won a large house built in 1892 on Harvard Street near Western in Los Angeles. The Elraths then suggested that the “We Boys-J.O.C.s” buy it from them and move it to newly purchased land in the Palisades. Undaunted by the monumental task of moving a building, the “We Boys-J.O.C’s” purchased for $3,000 and paid $5,000 to have it moved. In January, 1928, the house was split in two in preparation for the move, which succeeded after three arduous nights. Many members came forward to remodel and decorate. Donations of furniture (some of which remain) and household items came pouring in and the building was transformed into a home. Through the years, many dinners, monthly parties, weekend retreats, family gatherings and fundraising events were enjoyed at the lodge. In 1943, a goal was set to pay the mortgage by the annual Fourth of July picnic, and on that day, amid cheers for full ownership, the mortgage was burned. By 1958, an aging membership unanimously decided against sale and instead decided to donate the property to a nonprofit, and in 1960 the Lodge passed to the Southern California-Arizona Conference of the Methodist Church, becoming Aldersgate Retreat House. Adjacent to the house is the Buerge Chapel, another property that grew out of goodwill and community effort. Bill Buerge, whose parents moved to Haverford in 1938, designed the chapel. The restoration of Aldersgate and the building of the chapel spanned a seven-year period, with Buerge contributing on almost every level. The 50-seat chapel, completed in 1992, has stained-glass windows and landscaping based on plants referred to in the Bible. Buerge found the antique pews in Pasadena and they were recrafted to fit the chapel. Noted Palisadians Chuck Norris and Art Tarnutzer worked tirelessly to craft this local jewel and restore the main facility. The fireplace was built with creek rocks from Topanga and a piece of rose quartz that weighs a ton. What began with community fellowship will continue in the fall, when the “Planting Seeds to Build Community” concert series commences on September 29. Other programs will be held on October 6, 13, 19 and 27 and November 3. For more information or to get involved in this Chautauqua outreach project, call Sandra at 410-1861.
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