WATSONVILLE—Rachel Clark clearly remembers the day she was invited to join the United Presbyterian Church (UPC) of Watsonville more than 40 years ago.
Clark had recently moved to the area and was searching for a place of worship. It was at a community picnic where the church’s minister at the time, Edward Frost, introduced himself.
“He said, ‘I’m a pastor here… are you looking for a church?’” Clark said. “It was meant to be.”
Since then Clark has been part of the church’s congregation. She is currently a member of its board, which meets regularly to discuss the church’s role in the community and its future.
In its Oct. 13 meeting the board made the difficult decision to close the church’s doors in early 2020, just before its 160th anniversary.
The decision came after years of declining membership, due to an aging congregation and not enough new members, Clark said.
“People are just not coming,” she said. “I hate to say it, but we’ve become a skeleton of what we once were. The few people who have remained are incredible and hard-working… but there are just not enough of us.”
The UPC of Watsonville, which has remained at the same location in three different buildings since 1860, is in a unique position compared to most churches that close. The congregation itself made the decision—before it was forced to—and will hand over its remaining resources to the Presbytery of San Jose to take ownership of the property and decide what comes next.
In the Presbyterian church, a Presbytery oversees a number of churches in a specific region. The Presbytery of San Jose includes 32 churches in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties.
Current minister of Watsonville UPC Rev. Robby Olson said he was proud of his congregation for taking the difficult step.
“It’s a sad time,” Olson said. “No one likes what we have to do. But we decided that this is what’s best for the community.”
The church worked with the Presbytery of San Jose to form a commission, made up of local and regional members, who will be in charge of deciding the future of the property. A new ministry is possible, Olson said, though he hopes it will better reflect the ever-changing needs of Watsonville.
“Perhaps they could pursue a Spanish-speaking church, or a homeless ministry,” Olson said. “Something different… so the church can once again grow and thrive.”
Other options include selling the property to a local nonprofit organization or educational institution.
“We want it to benefit Watsonville,” Clark said. “My hope is that is becomes something important to the people of this city.”
The church’s final service will be held Jan. 5. Remaining members will seek out other places of worship, and Olson will be leaving his position as minister.
“When I arrived here seven years ago this is not what I envisioned,” he said. “No pastor comes to a town and hopes for this to happen. But my calling has always been to help this community. The best ministry for me right now is to help close the church in a healthy way.”
According to Rev. Joey Lee, Executive Presbyter of San Jose, Olson will be hired by the Presbytery as a special resource, and they in return will explore other avenues for Olson’s ministry.
“We don’t want to take Robby away from Watsonville,” Lee said. “He has become a part of the community. We want to find a way for him to stay… As we grieve the loss of the church, we can also turn the page and try something new.”
Olson is one of the city’s official police chaplains (along with Ryan Bell), and a coach at Watsonville High School. His wife, Jenni Veitch-Olson, is currently chairing the Planning Commission.
“I love this city,” Olson said. “It’s been an unexpected blessing that I’ve found my calling in Watsonville.”
The UPC of Watsonville’s campus is also home to a small Hispanic ministry called Discovery Church, Mariposa Arts (a program of the Arts Council Santa Cruz County) and Central Christian School.
Lee confirmed that these groups will remain renters for as long as the Presbytery owns the property.
Former members and pastors will attend the UPC of Watsonville’s final service to both celebrate the church’s long history and grieve its loss.
“Nothing stays the same,” Clark said. “It’s sad, but we need to move forward. We need to embrace the future of Watsonville.”
