Historical Pictures are located here.
In the aftermath of World War II, Arcadia, Temple City, and the surrounding San Gabriel towns blossomed with new homes as veterans and their families settled into peacetime.
In 1948, a concerned and dedicated group, committed to the Episcopal
tradition, felt Arcadia should have its own Episcopal church. Starting
as a mission of St. Luke’s parish in Monrovia, the Episcopal Church of
the Transfiguration was born, aptly named for its proximity to the
mountains.
Our church building (St. Mary’s Chapel pictured above) was originally dedicated in 1926
in Boyle Heights, California. In 1949 it was given as a gift from the
Diocese of Los Angeles.
In 1951 the
California Mission style sanctuary, ‘accompanied by the men of
Transfiguration, trudged’ its way from Boyle Heights to its present
site. The building was settled on a large piece of land that held an
old house, a garage, and lots of weeds. Santa Anita School was to
the south, and stables were to the north.
In 1953 the church nave was extended and a sacristy, parish hall and kitchen were added. In 1963, the two-story office, classrooms, and guild room facilities were dedicated. In 1973 the narthex, nursery and education building were completed. In 1993, The Arcadia Episcopal Preschool was founded, and is today a thriving important part of our community.
CLERGY
Transfiguration has had a vicar and four rectors during our first
60 years. The Reverend Evans Scroggie was the vicar. The Reverend Henry
Lewis Ewan, former rector of St. Barnabas, Omaha, Nebraska
served ten years as the first rector, leaving in 1962. The
Reverend J. William Daum was rector for over 32 years before retiring in
1995.
Following "Fr. Bill" the Reverend Gene R. Wallace was called and served Transfiguration for 14 years before retiring in 2008.
For two years, partially over lapping Rev. Wallace's retirement, we were blessed by the presence of an assisting rector, the Reverend Helen Bridger, who after completing her assignment, returned home to England in June 2008. In 2006 our own Christine Nevarez was ordained and assignment to Transfiguration as deacon. The Reverend Bill Ledbetter served as our interim priest for one year until May 2009.
On Sunday March 22, 2009 Sr. Warden John Conway announced
that the Search Committee and Vestry had unanimously called
The Reverend Doctor Julie Dianne Bryant as the fourth rector of Transfiguration. Rev. Bryant
began her call at this holy place on June 1, 2009.