Knotts Berry Farm
Trying to Photograph everything there
Posted April 2022
The Church of Reflections
The Church of Reflections, Knott's Berry Farm:
Some of you will remember the little historic Church of Reflections (1876), which stood in the middle of Knott's Berry Farm, near Reflection Lake, the "Original" Berry Stand, and other charming but low-key attractions. It was moved across the street, near Independence Hall in 2003. Here's a brief timeline of the amazing history of this little church:
Some of you will remember the little historic Church of Reflections (1876), which stood in the middle of Knott's Berry Farm, near Reflection Lake, the "Original" Berry Stand, and other charming but low-key attractions. It was moved across the street, near Independence Hall in 2003. Here's a brief timeline of the amazing history of this little church:
- 1876 – The church was built as First Baptist Church of Downey and was located at Second and Church Streets in Downey. It was built of redwood.
- 1891 – A baptistry was added to the church.
- 1922 – The building was purchased by St. Marks’ Episcopal Church and moved to Fifth St. “across from the fields”
- 1953 – The church was vacated and would remain unused for a couple years.
- 1955 – Early in the year, the church was condemned to make way for the expansion of Downey Community Hospital.
- 1955 Sept – Knott’s Berry Farm purchased the church building, along with its 1911 Estey organ and 1900 Belgian stained glass windows. Walter Knott just wanted to move the building to the Berry Farm, but building codes wouldn’t allow it. So the steeple, windows, fixtures, and perhaps a few other elements of the building were moved to Knott’s and the rest was rebuilt with new materials.
- 1955 Oct 2 – The first service was held in relocated church. The church was initially used by a Lutheran congregation, with a Rev. Foster officiating. The new name, “Church of Reflections” was announced.
- 1958 Nov – A neon cross was added to roof. Knott’s employees purchased a new stained glass window as an anniversary present for Walter and Cordelia Knott, which was placed behind the altar. The first wedding is held at the new location.
- 1976 Jan – The building was plaqued by Native Daughters of the Golden West
- 1979 Aug – Longtime pastor Rev. Claude Bunzel retired and the schedule of church services became more limited.
- 2003 Oct – The church was removed to make way for a new roller coaster. The steeple, stained glass windows and pews are moved to a site across Beach Blvd. and became part of an otherwise new (but similar) church building. The final service beside the lake was held on Oct. 5th. Services later resumed at the new location, near Independence Hall.
- 2016 - Meetings between Buena Park City officials, local church leaders, historians, Knott's Berry Farm and the Knott family are held to try to locate yet another new site to which the church building might be moved. Knott's plans called for the current site being used differently. Some of the likeliest options for a new site seemed to be existing churches in Buena Park. (As part of those meetings, this was when I dug up the information above.) The church closed at this time.
- 2018 - The nonprofit Church of Reflections Preservation Foundation was formed to raise money to move the church a mile southwest to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
- 2020 May - Knott's announces that the move was planned for September 2020.
https://ochistorical.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-church-of-reflections-knotts-berry.html?m=1
Front
From a Distance
The Church of Reflections
The church was originally built in 1876 as the First Baptist Church of Downey and was located at Second and Church Streets in Downey. It was built of redwood. In 1955 Knott’s Berry Farm purchased the building, along with its old organ and stained glass windows. The little historic Church of Reflections stood in the middle of Knott's Berry Farm, near Reflection Lake, the 'Original' Berry Stand, and other low-key attractions. In 2003 it was moved across the street, near Independence Hall.
The church was originally built in 1876 as the First Baptist Church of Downey and was located at Second and Church Streets in Downey. It was built of redwood. In 1955 Knott’s Berry Farm purchased the building, along with its old organ and stained glass windows. The little historic Church of Reflections stood in the middle of Knott's Berry Farm, near Reflection Lake, the 'Original' Berry Stand, and other low-key attractions. In 2003 it was moved across the street, near Independence Hall.