Rev. John Gardner Hale, who died in Redlands in 1892, was known and esteemed by all of the early residents of this city. Born at Chelsea, Vt., September 12, 1824, he graduated at the University of Vermont and Andover Theological Seminary, and was married to Phila Jane Dwinell at Calais, Vt., with whom he took a wedding journey to California around Cape Horn, intending to engage in the ministry of the Congregational Church in this state. The American Home Missionary Society assigned Rev. Mr. Hale and his wife to labor at Grass Valley, Cal., where they arrived in the spring of 1853. Mr. Hale gathered a congregation from among the miner of that lively town, secured the building of a church edifice, which was continuously used for religious services until 1892, and laid the foundations of a permanent and aggressive organization.
In 1857 Mr. Hale returned to Vermont, and served in several churches in that state until 1881, when he came back to California and located in what is now Redlands. In December, 1881, he succeeded Rev. James T. Ford as pastor of the Second Congregational Church of San Bernardino Valley, a society then meeting in the original Lugonia school house, now a part of the residence of Truman Reeves, on Church street. Mr. Hale continued as pastor until the spring of 1885. In 1883 the society erected the church now occupied by the Terrace Congregational Society.
In the winter of 1885-1886 there was a general desire for the opening of an academy in this section, and Mr. Hale was asked to become the first principal. Therefore Bellevue Academy was built, and is now the residence of Mrs. Hale on Terrace avenue. In February 1886, Mr. Hale commenced giving instruction in this academy, and continued until the Union High School took its place. March 23, 1892, after a very brief illness, he died of heart failure. An intimate friend has said of him and of his connection with Redlands: "Mr. Hale was a true-hearted, conscientious, Christian gentleman. It was his fortune to be a citizen of two thriving California towns - Grass Valley and Redlands - in their formative days. It may justly be said that the influence of his life and labors in these towns was strong, permanent and uplifting."
(Source: Illustrated Redlands, 1897, p. 56.)
Special thanks to Redlands Historical Society for permission to add this information and photo.
Please visit Illustrated Redlands.
In 1857 Mr. Hale returned to Vermont, and served in several churches in that state until 1881, when he came back to California and located in what is now Redlands. In December, 1881, he succeeded Rev. James T. Ford as pastor of the Second Congregational Church of San Bernardino Valley, a society then meeting in the original Lugonia school house, now a part of the residence of Truman Reeves, on Church street. Mr. Hale continued as pastor until the spring of 1885. In 1883 the society erected the church now occupied by the Terrace Congregational Society.
In the winter of 1885-1886 there was a general desire for the opening of an academy in this section, and Mr. Hale was asked to become the first principal. Therefore Bellevue Academy was built, and is now the residence of Mrs. Hale on Terrace avenue. In February 1886, Mr. Hale commenced giving instruction in this academy, and continued until the Union High School took its place. March 23, 1892, after a very brief illness, he died of heart failure. An intimate friend has said of him and of his connection with Redlands: "Mr. Hale was a true-hearted, conscientious, Christian gentleman. It was his fortune to be a citizen of two thriving California towns - Grass Valley and Redlands - in their formative days. It may justly be said that the influence of his life and labors in these towns was strong, permanent and uplifting."
(Source: Illustrated Redlands, 1897, p. 56.)
Special thanks to Redlands Historical Society for permission to add this information and photo.
Please visit Illustrated Redlands.
Rev. John Gardner Hale, who died in Redlands in 1892, was known and esteemed by all of the early residents of this city. Born at Chelsea, Vt., September 12, 1824, he graduated at the University of Vermont and Andover Theological Seminary, and was married to Phila Jane Dwinell at Calais, Vt., with whom he took a wedding journey to California around Cape Horn, intending to engage in the ministry of the Congregational Church in this state. The American Home Missionary Society assigned Rev. Mr. Hale and his wife to labor at Grass Valley, Cal., where they arrived in the spring of 1853. Mr. Hale gathered a congregation from among the miner of that lively town, secured the building of a church edifice, which was continuously used for religious services until 1892, and laid the foundations of a permanent and aggressive organization.
In 1857 Mr. Hale returned to Vermont, and served in several churches in that state until 1881, when he came back to California and located in what is now Redlands. In December, 1881, he succeeded Rev. James T. Ford as pastor of the Second Congregational Church of San Bernardino Valley, a society then meeting in the original Lugonia school house, now a part of the residence of Truman Reeves, on Church street. Mr. Hale continued as pastor until the spring of 1885. In 1883 the society erected the church now occupied by the Terrace Congregational Society.
In the winter of 1885-1886 there was a general desire for the opening of an academy in this section, and Mr. Hale was asked to become the first principal. Therefore Bellevue Academy was built, and is now the residence of Mrs. Hale on Terrace avenue. In February 1886, Mr. Hale commenced giving instruction in this academy, and continued until the Union High School took its place. March 23, 1892, after a very brief illness, he died of heart failure. An intimate friend has said of him and of his connection with Redlands: "Mr. Hale was a true-hearted, conscientious, Christian gentleman. It was his fortune to be a citizen of two thriving California towns - Grass Valley and Redlands - in their formative days. It may justly be said that the influence of his life and labors in these towns was strong, permanent and uplifting."
(Source: Illustrated Redlands, 1897, p. 56.)
Special thanks to Redlands Historical Society for permission to add this information and photo.
Please visit Illustrated Redlands.
In 1857 Mr. Hale returned to Vermont, and served in several churches in that state until 1881, when he came back to California and located in what is now Redlands. In December, 1881, he succeeded Rev. James T. Ford as pastor of the Second Congregational Church of San Bernardino Valley, a society then meeting in the original Lugonia school house, now a part of the residence of Truman Reeves, on Church street. Mr. Hale continued as pastor until the spring of 1885. In 1883 the society erected the church now occupied by the Terrace Congregational Society.
In the winter of 1885-1886 there was a general desire for the opening of an academy in this section, and Mr. Hale was asked to become the first principal. Therefore Bellevue Academy was built, and is now the residence of Mrs. Hale on Terrace avenue. In February 1886, Mr. Hale commenced giving instruction in this academy, and continued until the Union High School took its place. March 23, 1892, after a very brief illness, he died of heart failure. An intimate friend has said of him and of his connection with Redlands: "Mr. Hale was a true-hearted, conscientious, Christian gentleman. It was his fortune to be a citizen of two thriving California towns - Grass Valley and Redlands - in their formative days. It may justly be said that the influence of his life and labors in these towns was strong, permanent and uplifting."
(Source: Illustrated Redlands, 1897, p. 56.)
Special thanks to Redlands Historical Society for permission to add this information and photo.
Please visit Illustrated Redlands.
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