The Little Red Church in Ben Lomond
Historic St. Andrew’s Episcopal Celebrates 125th Anniversary
By Julie Horner
The sun always seems to shine on the little red church at the corner of Glen Arbor and Riverside Avenue in Ben Lomond. Snug between its redwood tree sentinels, the light spends each day peering non-judgementally into numerous stained glass windows that illuminate the sanctuary, warming the rich reds of velvet-clad pews and deepening the earth tones of 100-year old timbers. Encased in a wooden frame on the east end of the building above the pulpit, the towering figure of Jesus rendered barefoot and mild in stained glass gazes gently upon parishioners. To the west above the heavy arched entry doors, a steampunk worthy array of organ pipes bulges from its mounting. According to Vestry member Rochelle Kelly, the pipe organ was built with care by Preston Boomer, the legendary San Lorenzo Valley High School physics instructor and king of Boomeria, a private Medieval estate in Bonny Doon.
A Shining Light
There are 30 stained glass window panels in the Sanctuary and each tells a story. The Christ Window that sits above the pulpit was rescued from a church fire in Alameda and brought to St. Andrew’s in 1930. Panels have been dedicated to the memory of loved ones throughout the decades created by artists such as Lenore Glaum, Gary Rominger, Janice Alldice, who created the butterfly wings on the front door of Cowboy Diner in Felton, and Virginia Fordice, who also made the glass above the circulation desk at Boulder Creek Library in memory of her son, Gunnar Erik Fordice.
View of the sanctuary from the nave.
Built of local redwood and named for St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, construction of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, called the “Little Red Church” by locals, began in 1899-1900. Dedicated in 1901, St. Andrew’s is believed to be the oldest church in the San Lorenzo Valley in continuous service under the same denomination. Marking the occasion of the dedication, the community is invited to a 125th Anniversary Celebration and Open House on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 1-4pm to be held on the church grounds. View historical displays and nibble on treats in the Parish Hall and enjoy Celtic music performed in the historic church beginning at 2pm. There will also be a special worship at 10am on Sunday featuring a historic liturgy followed by an ice cream social.
St. Andrew’s Outreach
St. Andrew’s was a founding member of Valley Churches United. During the devastating 1982 floods, Ben Lomond residents found respite at the church. Rochelle said, “As people lost their homes, St. Andrew’s was able to open its doors. Other churches said what can we do to help, and it all started to meld together.” St. Andrew’s Outreach became Valley Churches United Missions during the recovery effort.
St. Andrew’s describes itself as a welcoming and affirming community that respects the dignity and individual journeys of all people. With a fresh congregation of new families, anyone can sign up for the newsy monthly snail-mailing, called “The Piper” which is filled with good-natured charm. Those who can’t attend Sunday service in person can watch on the St. Andrew’s Facebook page.
Coming up:
- 125th Anniversary Celebration and Open House Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 1-4pm
- Blessing of the Animals Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 10am-12pm. Bring your pet or a photo to have it blessed by Father Martin Yabroff.
- Kirking of the Tartans Luncheon featuring bagpipes, family tartans, shepherd’s pie, and live music. October 18, 2026 | 10am-1pm
- Halloween at St. Andrew’s! Don’t miss the ghoulest party in town after dark!
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 101 Riverside Avenue, Ben Lomond, CA
saintandrewsbenlomond.org | (831) 336-5994
Photos by Julie Horner
Julie lives and works in Boulder Creek and is an active participant in the county's vibrant music scene. She loves the outdoors and is the go-to expert on Santa Cruz Mountains hiking trails.
