Parsonage Museum History – The Atherton Chapel

The Atherton Chapel is a redwood Folk Victorian built in 1897 as the city’s first church. It was named for the Congregational missionary, Isaac Atherton, who inspired the formation of the church and who donated the first $100 toward its construction. The building served as the only church in the community until 1912 when it was moved from the corner of Main and Church street to its present location at Church and Olive. The Lemon Grove Community Club, an early local improvement organization, purchased the building and remodeled it for use as a community meeting hall. The building would be sold in 1945 and used as a residence for many years.