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 SHPC has its roots in Second Presbyterian Church, San Anselmo,
organized in 1908. In 1948, the church celebrated its growth and the
ordination of its own pastor with a change of name to Trinity
Presbyterian Church. In 1957, Trinity dissolved to form a new church in
Sleepy Hollow. Members met in the home of Dr. Jessie Baird of the San
Francisco Theological Seminary (located in San Anselmo) until a new
building was constructed. December 6, 1959, saw groundbreaking at the
current SHPC site. By April of 1960, the first service was held in the
present SHPC building.
Over the
ensuing years, the church has evolved and changed, as have many community
churches. In 1990, the Revs. Andy (1990-2000) and Wendy (1990-2004)
Dreitcer were called to serve jointly as a clergy couple. The youthful
couple, noted for their diaper bags and two small children, began to
connect with other young families in the area. Through Andy’s
academic ties (he completed his doctoral work at the seminary and later
served as a member of their faculty) and Wendy’s life-long
association (Howard Rice, Wendy's father, was a SFTS professor and served
as chaplain), the Dreitcers were able to build on their longstanding
experiences with the seminary.
In 1998,
to meet the challenge of supporting a Pastor in one of the most expensive
housing markets in the nation, the Church built a Manse adjacent to the
Church Sanctuary. The Manse includes a three bedroom home and a private
office to support church operations. Completion of the Manse was a
complex and remarkable achievement for a congregation of Sleepy
Hollow’s size.
During
the early 2000s, the congregation traveled a difficult path marked by the
loss of two key staff: Wendy Dreicter, our then-pastor, and Janice
Baumsteiger, our secretary/sexton, both of whom lost courageous battles
with cancer. They remain an inspiration for those of the congregation who
knew them.
Beginning
in 2004 and continuing through mid-2007, SHPC was wonderfully served by
an Interim Pastor, Renée Rico. Renée brought an easy spirit, a gifted
sensitivity for environmental issues, and experienced leadership to
navigate the selection process for a permanent pastor. Under
Renée’s leadership, SHPC completed a comprehensive Mission Study
and a year-long Pastor search.
In
mid-2007, Pastor, Tici Truly, took over the SHPC pulpit. Tici and her
extended family joined the SHPC community after serving for many years
with a congregation in Ohio Also in 2007, the church launched an
innovative Youth Program: “Kids About Town (KAT), Molding
Civic-Minded Middle-Schoolers.” The KAT program was launched with
financial support from a grant by the Marin Community Foundation (see our
“Youth Programs” page for information about youth services).
In 2011
we welcome Pastor Beverly Brewster.
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