A Garage & Grassroots in the 1950s
Parkside’s first service was in 1954 in the home of Rudy and Ann Volz. Parkside met for a time at the Cabrillo Club, then was moved to the garage of the new parsonage on Canby Way in 1956. After many negotiations and planning the present building was started in 1959. It wanted to be a community church for the then newly developing suburb of South Land Park of Sacramento.
Even at this early stage Parksiders had many progressive ideas. The visionaries of Parkside wanted a church in which anyone could attend regardless of their religious background or ethnic heritage.
They began to see the advantages of a full denomination rather than a Community Church and began to align the church with the Congregational Church. Founded as a multi-racial congregation in the 50’s, Parksiders have remained diverse, welcoming, and committed to social justice issues.
Parkside joins the United Church of Christ - UCC
At approximately the same time, 1957, a new denomination was forming called the United Church of Christ, which was the result of the merging of the Congregational and Evangelical and Reformed Churches.
Parkside’s early leaders wanted the congregation to be part of a denomination and found in the UCC shared values and vision of continuing God’s work in our world. So, the newly formed little church in South Land Park and the new denomination, the United Church of Christ,” grew up together.”
We have enjoyed the last 50+ years of mutual support and working side-by-side to accomplish God’s mission of justice for all people.
Parkside Gets a Home
The first building project of Parkside was the parsonage for the first pastor, Lew Knight. The congregation met in the garage of the parsonage while the new chapel was being built. Later, when I-5 was constructed, the parsonage was torn down in its wake. The first phase of Parkside's building project was completed by then and included the Chapel, Fellowship Hall and classrooms. It would take another 50 years to accomplish the building of the main sanctuary, which was completed in time for Easter 2009.
First Female Pastor Called to Serve
In 1995, the congregation called for the first time a woman to serve as its senior pastor. The first female pastor to serve a Sacramento-area UCC church, Rev. Dr. Susan Hamilton brought creativity and vitality to Parkside. She also helped start a Health Ministry, and the congregation called Becky Anton to serve in the role of Commissioned Minister for Congregational Health and Faith Community Nurse.
Co-Pastoring with Rev. Griswold & Rev. Rambob
In 2013, after Rev. Hamilton had accepted a call to a different ministry, Parkside called its second female senior pastor, Rev. Elizabeth Griswold. Since her arrival in July 2013, Rev. Elizabeth has been actively working with the congregation on church growth, community outreach, and social justice issues. Then in 2017, after Becky retired, Parkside called a second pastor, Rev. Bonnie Rambob, who has done miraculous work especially with our children and youth. Now the congregation is delighting in the co-pastoring model of service that expands opportunities for church members and the community.
Co-Pastoring with Rev. Bonnie Rambob & Rev. Rajeev Rambob
In summer 2020, Rev. Elizabeth, feeling a call to blend ministry and advocacy work, decided it was time to pursue interests outside of Parkside. Recognizing the benefits of the co-pastoring model as well as the experience, talents, and teamwork of partners Rev. Bonnie and Rev. Rajeev Rambob, the Council and congregation called the two to lead the church forward. Rev. Bonnie and Rev. Rajeev started their co-pastoring in late summer 2020.