GOOD OLD DAYS:

Chisholm Brown remembers the symbolic 1928 procession from the old church to the new church. Singing hymns like “We’re Marching to Zion,” the group made its way to a brightly lit bell tower.

Brown, then 8, still attends the First United Methodist Church of Costa Mesa, which is celebrating the Ruby Jubilee of its sanctuary this year.

On Saturday, the church celebrated with an International Festival; next month, the sanctuary will be rededicated by the community.

Pastor Julie Elkins strives to maintain the history of her church in an area known for an “out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new” mentality.

“In California, it’s sad that we get rid of old buildings,” she said. “All of Costa Mesa’s downtown architecture is based on this sanctuary.”

The congregation first met as the Community Church on Easter Sunday, April 7, 1912, in a local schoolhouse.

Its first building was built between 1914 and 1915, and was dedicated March 21, 1915. It was situated near Harbor and Newport boulevards.

The current sanctuary was built in the following decade by its earliest members, and it was dedicated July 27, 1928.

The current congregation of about 100 members has an average age in the 70s, Elkins said.

“They’ve grown with the sanctuary. Generations of people have been raised in this church.”

Current members like Bob and Bobbie Cowley praise their young pastor’s spunk and heart.

“She has such good spirit. Us old folks get so set in our ways, and she brings such refreshing ideas,” Bobbie Cowley said. “It takes a lot of grit to handle these old people.”

Many of the sanctuary’s stunning stained-glass windows were made by First United church members who were taught by a fellow congregant in past decades.

Elkins also welcomes hundreds of people each week who use the facility for recovery meetings.

“My vision is to keep the historic building, but focus on being a pastor to those in recovery,” Elkins said.

“I’m counseling and pastoring to a lot of them, even though they may not come to church on Sunday morning.”

She recalled a man who came up with an envelope one week and apologized for stealing $1 out of the collection plate while he was a boy decades before.

She opened the envelope to find the replacement dollar — plus a $100 bill. The funds went toward outreach.

“This is by far the most open and accepting church I have ever been to,” Elkins said. “They greet anyone who comes through that door with an open heart.”

“We have such beautiful people here,” Cowley said. “Everyone seems to belong to each other.”

The church will be rededicated at 2 p.m. July 27, following 10 a.m. services and a catered lunch. It also will offer tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. July 19.

The church’s membership hopes locals rediscover what they call the “best-kept secret in Costa Mesa.”

“It’s the only church around with bells,” Bob Cowley said.

“That’s right,” Bobbie agreed. “And an organ.”

CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (949) 494-5480 or at candice.baker@latimes.com.