A BRIEF HISTORY

Worshipping together since 1882

Founded in 1943 

We trace our roots to the first protestant missionary who came to Guatemala.  The Reverend John Clark Hill was brought to Guatemala by President Barrios in 1882.  A few English, Americans and Germans who understood English felt the need of religious services, and many wished to have a Protestant Minister available for baptismal, marriage and funeral services.  Reverend Hill was happy to begin weekly Protestant Sunday morning services in English.  Except for a few very short suspensions due to earthquake, revolution and unexpected absence of the pastor, these services have continued until today.

In 1943, Dr. Wallace J. Anderson was a Presbyterian missionary on home leave in the States and was unable to return to Korea  because of World War II.   He was sent to Guatemala, and not yet able to speak Spanish, was assigned to the pastorate of the English Church.  With a pastor and the significant influx of North Americans assigned to Guatemala because of the war, the organization of the Union Church was a natural.   When the congregation was formed, Dr. Anderson was called as the first pastor. 

Mrs. Evelyn Blane, a long-term resident and faithful member, felt there was a need for a Sunday school for the children of the English-speaking families.  She lived in a house on the Plaza Espana and invited parents to bring their children to her home for classes before going downtown for the Sunday Services which were held at the Central Presbyterian Church downtown.

Spurred on by Mrs. Blane's enthusiasm and faithfulness, some of the leaders of the church began to see the possibilities and opportunities of having a church building of their own.

On March 2, 1947, Dr. Charles Ainslie, a medical doctor with the American Hospital run by the Presbyterian Church, and John Blane, Evelyn’s husband, were named as a committee of two to initiate a search for a plot of land suitable for a church building.  They formed a preference for zone 9, and were impressed with the area around the Plaza España.   Charles and John approached Mrs. Martha Klein de Calvo, who owned the land of our present campus and she consented to sell.   A building committee was formed under the chairmanship of Mr. Nathan Perry.  The church building was designed by Mr. Harry L. Pierce, a distinguished California church architect.

John Blane wanted to give something back to the community that had been so supportive and to leave something behind in the land he had come to love. During a building committee meeting, he committed a gift of $50,000 dollars to the erection of the new church and lent, at low interest, the balance of the money needed to complete the project.  The supervising architect was Gustavo Jacobsthal.  He took the architectural drawings of Mr. Pierce and brought the building to life. 

The cornerstone laying ceremony was held on February 12, 1950.  During the service Mrs. Mary Bradshaw asked Mr. Perry if she could speak.  Mr. Perry didn't feel that an interruption was appropriate at that time so he responded "In a moment, Mrs. Bradshaw."  After two more such interruptions Mr. Perry felt he could put her off no longer.  Mrs. Bradshaw electrified the assembled congregation with the announcement that she wanted to give $25,000 as a gift toward the new building.  The church courtyard is named in her honor.

The dream of a place of our own to teach our children and to assemble for worship, learning, fellowship and community was being realized because of the wonderfully generous gifts of these and other people.

The constitution written during those years had remained essentially unchanged until the re-organization of 1972-1974.  The present revised Constitution and Manual of Operations testify to the sound structures established years ago.

The first building addition was on the lectern side of our sanctuary.   Three classrooms were added in what was an arched courtyard similar to the present church entrance.  These rooms are now used for young children's Sunday school and opening exercises.   The second addition was an additional story above what are today the library, the pastor’s study and the end of the Anderson room.  The corner stairs were placed to gain access to the 5-classroom addition

The Reverend Doctor Joseph Chapman’s skills in fiscal management were a wonderful asset in the early 80’s many of the structures and approaches to our finances are still in place and holding us on a fine course. 

The Reverend Philip Trusdale brought some wonderful innovations in the late 80’s and early 90’s.   During his time, weekly businessmen's breakfasts, several Bible studies, and early Sunday morning worship services were organized and begun. 

The Reverend W. Karl Smith is the eleventh pastor.  Just recently the congregation extended his commitment through the middle of 2001.

Throughout our history, many ministers, pastors, missionaries and laymen have blessed our congregation.    What is not recorded here is spiritual growth, new commitments to God through Jesus Christ, families being restored and strengthened, and lives being blessed.  There has been wonderful women’s work, many youth pastors and directors and a host of other contributors.   This is the next volume to be written.

The chief mission of Union Church is to the English speaking community.  Seeking unity in a common confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and guided by the Word of God, our objective is to bring glory to God.