First Congregational Church of Buena Park

First Congregational Church of Buena Park, California was the first established church in Buena Park. It was the result of James A. Whitaker's dream for the new community, which later became a "baby boomer" community and incorporated in 1953. Whitaker founded the town, acquiring 690 acres in 1885. In 1887 when he filed a map for the town, he used the name "Buena Park". A grassy area where Artesia and Beach Boulevards now meet had been named Plaza Buena (the "good place") by early Spanish-speaking settlers, so Whitaker apparently adopted the "Buena" name for his town. Within a short time, a little business district sprang up at Ninth Street and Grand Avenue around Whitaker's general store, near the railroad depot. Whitaker let a group of worshippers use a room above his Whitaker General Store for holding church services and then donated 100 square feet (and $3,000) at Tenth Street and Grand for a new church. More than $700 was donated by the Congregational Board of New York City. With this wonderful support, the First Congregational Church of Buena Park was officially established on September 5, 1888. The original church was constructed of wood. It was replaced by the present structure in 1929.

Credit: Buena Park Chamber of Commerce