Stanford University. Memorial Church

Construction of Memorial Church began in 1899 and the church was dedicated in 1903. After being partially destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, the church was rebuilt and opened again in 1913. The first pastor of the church was Heber Newton, who was followed by Rev. David Charles Gardner (1902-1936). Rev. D. Elton Trueblood (1936-1945), Rev. George J. Hall (1946-1947), Rev. Robert M. Minto (1947-1948; 1950-1973), Rev. Paul C. Johnston (1949-1950), and Robert McAfee Brown (1972-1973) also served the church. The Rev. R. G. Hammerton-Kelly was Dean of the church from 1973 to 1986. Subsequent deans have included the Rev. Dr. Robert C. Gregg, the Rev. Kelly Denton-Borhaug, and the current dean, the Rev. Scotty McLennan.

From the description of Stanford University, Memorial Church, records, 1883-2011. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 462019629

Historical Note

Following the death of Leland Stanford in 1893, Jane Lathrop Stanford decided to build Stanford Memorial Church as a memorial to her husband. Mrs. Stanford wanted the church to be nondenominational and a place of peace, meditation, and prayer amid the turmoil and tasks of the university.

Construction of Stanford Memorial Church began in 1899. The church was dedicated January 25, 1903. It was partially destroyed by the earthquake in 1906 and was rebuilt and opened again in 1913. The church was again damaged during the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 and was closed for repairs until 1993. Stanford Memorial Church is known for its stained-glass windows of the J. & R. Lamb Studios and the masterpieces of its art mosaics created by the Venetian studios of Salviati & Company.

The first pastor of the church was Heber Newton. He preached at Stanford for four months but reluctantly resigned because he disagreed with Mrs. Stanford on some aspects of church management. After Newton's resignation, the trustees of the university engaged the Rev. David Charles Gardner as chaplain of the church. He served thirty-four years, from 1902 to 1936. Gardner was succeeded in 1936 by the Rev. D. Elton Trueblood who resigned in 1945. The Rev. George J. Hall was chaplain from 1946 to 1947 and he was succeeded by the Rev. Robert M. Minto who served from 1947 to 1948 and 1950 to 1973. The Rev. Paul C. Johnston served as chaplain from 1949 to 1950. Robert McAfee Brown was acting Dean from 1972 to 1973. The Rev. R. G. Hammerton-Kelly served from 1973 to 1986, when the Rev. Thomas Ambrogi was named Acting Dean. In 1987, the Rev. Dr. Robert C. Gregg became Dean, serving until 1998. The Rev. Kelly Denton-Borhaug served as interim Dean until January 1, 2001, when the Rev. William "Scotty" McLennan Jr. was appointed Dean of Religious Life.

From the guide to the Stanford University, Memorial Church, records, 1893-2011, (Department of Special Collections and University Archives)