This page contains a short history of significant persons and moments in the life of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church and School in Palm Desert, California. We give thanks for all that has been and we are ready to say yes to creating the future with God's help. (Modified 10/07/2010)
| Year |
Persons and Events |
| 1962 |
It all began in 1962 when John Connell, Senior Warden at St. Paul’s in Palm Springs, spoke to his Rector about the need for an Episcopal Church in the newly developing area of Palm Desert. Fr. Barnhill (Rector of St. Paul's) encouraged John to explore the feasibility with some of the residents. Caroline Berkey and her husband, George, were part of this early gathering. |
| 1963 |
A Committee was formed to approach Bishop Bloy (Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles which covered all of Southern California at the time). The Bishop approved the formation of a new congregation if the group could raise the needed money to organize and carry out its work (the Diocese couldn’t help fund the budget of the proposed congregation). |
| 1964 |
The First Eucharist was celebrated at the Fairway Café on Highway 111. An overflow crowd of over 70 people attended. Eventually, Bob Ricciardi, who had been part of the founding group, was appointed architect for a new church building in Palm Desert. The congregation was later able to move from the Fairway Café to the Silver Spur recreation building where they gathered for worship until the church was built. The congregation paid $50 per month for use of the building. |
| 1965 |
In August the new church building was consecrated by Bishop Rusack of Los Angeles. The master plan developed at that time showed a large church building just about where the current sanctuary is now located. |
| 1967 |
In February the congregation moved from Mission to Parish status and the Rectory, (now the Karns Administration Building), was completed. Fr. Brownlee became the First Rector of St. Margaret’s. |
| 1969 |
The Rev. John Harrison came to assist with our Mission to the Colorado River communities (this work concluded in the early 1970s). |
| 1970 |
Fr. Brownlee retired and The Rev. John Harrison became the Second Rector. Also in this year the St. Francis statue was given by Leonard Firestone. Frances Rich, the sculptor, had it at her home in Idyllwild but Leonard convinced her it should be where others could see it. It stood in front of the church for many years. After the current sanctuary was dedicated (1987) the statue was moved to the north side of the patio (in 1995 it was moved to its current location in front of the Nordstrom Campus of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School). |
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| 1971 |
A decision was made to enlarge the church and build a much needed parish hall. Growth beyond these planned additions then led (in 1987) to the construction of the large sanctuary envisioned in the Master Plan. New sacristies allowed for increased seating in the nave; choir stalls and a new organ developed by Frank Own (formerly at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Los Angeles) were added at this time. Connell Hall was dedicated in late 1971. |
| 1974 |
The bell tower was given as a memorial to Gertrude and Malcolm Davis. The bell, known as a C bell, was cast in 1908. The garden was replanted and improved as a memorial to Ray Hirschi. |
| 1976 |
While President of the United States, Gerald and Betty Ford attended services here. Later the Fords became Seasonal Members of St. Margaret’s. |
| 1978 |
Fr. Harrison retired and The Rev. Bob Burton was called as the Third Rector of St. Margaret’s. |
| 1981 |
The "cross on the hill" first appeared at Christmas time. It was so well received by the community that a group was formed to help keep it there. Mark Stembler a COD student and his friends put the cross up. It blew down several times, lights were shot out, and so on. Finally, Ralston “Cal” Calvert came to Fr. Burton and asked if we could take it over—and we did (early in 1982). |
| 1984 |
The Rev. Vern Suter served as interim Priest-in-charge while a search was made for a new Rector. The Rev. G. Bradford “Brad” Hall was called as the Fourth Rector of St. Margaret’s, and he arrived and began working in September. |
| 1985 |
A Committee was formed to explore options and determine the feasibility of building a new church. The findings were presented to the Vestry and a Building Committee was appointed. A design contest was held with 5 architectural firms submitting drawings. Milt Chambers was chosen as architect. Leonard Firestone chaired the Building Committee. |
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| 1987 |
May 10, 1987 the ground-breaking ceremony for the new church building was celebrated. Dignitaries included Leonard Firestone, and former President Gerald R. Ford. |
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| 1989 |
On "St. Margaret’s Sunday," November 19, 1989, the new (current) sanctuary was consecrated by Bishop C. Brinkley Morton, Bishop of San Diego. |
| 1990 |
On "St. Margaret's Sunday" in November, St. Margaret’s Chapel was consecrated by Bishop Morton. |
| 1991 |
President and Mrs. Bush attended services here. The former sanctuary reopened as Karns Parish Hall and Connell Hall was rebuilt and opened as the Lee Education Center. |
| 1993 |
In January The Rev. Daniel Rondeau, “Fr. Dan,” joined the staff of St. Margaret’s as the Associate Rector for Pastoral Care. |
| 1994 |
In September St. Margaret’s Episcopal School opened its doors with 25 students in Kindergarten and First Grade. Mrs. Jane Lundeen was the Head of School and First Grade Teacher. Mrs. Louisa Martin was the Kindergarten teacher. The Rev. Julie Christian (a deacon) joined the staff. |
| 1995 |
On January 14, 1995 Julie Christian was ordained a priest at St. Margaret's Church by Bishop Gethin Hughes.
On St. Margaret’s Day the Nordstrom Campus of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School was dedicated with great ceremony and celebration. Among the dignitaries were Mrs. Kitty Nordstrom, whose generous gift made the building possible, President and Mrs. Ford, and Mr. Leonard Firestone.
The school opened in September with over 100 students in grades Kindergarten through Five. |
| 1997 |
On July 16, 1997, Fr. Brad Hall died and Fr. Dan Rondeau began to serve as the Priest in Charge. The Rev. Lois Hart joined the staff. The Rectory, which had served as the Office for the Church, was remodeled completely and became the Karns Administration Center and was dedicated in November. |
| 1998 |
In January, the Rev. Lois Hart was ordained a priest at St. Margaret’s by The Rt. Rev. Gethin B. Hughes, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.
 In March, The Rev. Dr. Robert G. Certain was called to be the Fifth Rector of St. Margaret’s. He celebrated his first Service of Holy Communion on Pentecost Day in May and was welcomed officially by Bishop Hughes in November.
Also joining the staff in 1998 was The Rev. Sean Cox.
The new Quimby Pipe Organ was completed, dedicated and blessed in November on St. Margaret's Sunday. |
| 1999 |
Dr. Marcia Slater became Head of School. John Wright joined our Staff as Organist and Choirmaster, succeeding Michael Brittenback. |
| 2000 |
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School expanded, adding a Sixth Grade. Subsequently a grade a year was added until in the 2002-2003 School Year St. Margaret’s School provided education for Kindergarten through Grade 8. The Nursery was remodeled with a view toward beginning a Preschool during the week and using the room for our Parish Nursery on weekends and weeknights during programs at the church.
The parish purchased land in the eastern end of the Coachella Valley (on the corner of 50th Avenue and Calhoun Street) as part of the "Season of Transformation" Capital Fund Campaign of the diocese. The land purchase was the first step toward founding a new congregation in Coachella. |
| 2001 |
Dr. Betty Baxter became Head of School for the 2001-2002 school year. The Rev. Al Murray, “Fr. Al,” joined our Staff as Fr. Sean moved to Temecula to become Vicar of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. In April the Labyrinth (on the patio outside Karns Hall) was blessed and consecrated for use.
The clergy and people of St. Margaret’s organized and hosted an Interfaith Service after the tragic events of 9/11. |
| 2002 |
Early in 2002 Fr. Al was called to be Rector of St. Andrew’s Church in Cleveland, OH. During the summer Barbara Gibson became Head of School. |
| 2003 |
The Rev. Roger Bower, "Fr, Riger," and The Rev. Margaret Watson (a deacon) joined the Staff. On November 15, 2003 Margaret was ordained a priest at St. Margaret’s along with The Rev. Mary Vano, a deacon and the daughter of Robert and Robbie Certain.
In March Ben Phillips, our Youth Minister, became an Aspirant for Holy Orders and was sponsored by the parish. He left for seminary in September.
Chet Hecht joined the Staff of St. Margaret’s. In October Bishop Hughes asked Fr. Roger to help form a new congregation in the eastern end of the Coachella Valley using the land (purchased in 2000) and a generous gift for the building of a new church.
St. Margaret’s School received accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. |
| 2004 |
In the spring our parishioner, Cherry Remboldt, was approved to begin studies leading to her ordination as a deacon in the Episcopal Church.
Programs continued to expand through the ministry of Robert Certain, Daniel Rondeau, Margaret Watson and hundreds of volunteers.
The Middle School was fully operational. |
| 2005 |
Shivaun Nelson joined our Staff as Minister for Youth and Families in the Summer. The Living Well Institute was begun in the Fall. The Rev. Margaret Watson accepted the call to be the 17th Rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, VA in October. The Cellar Door moved to a new location in Rancho Mirage. |
| 2006 |
In June our former Youth Minister, Ben Phillips, was ordained a deacon by Bishop James R. Mathes at the Cathedral in San Diego.
Dr. Kim Marshall became our Head of School. St. Margaret’s School again received accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and expanded to include a weekday Preschool.
In the Fall we again lost some members after General Convention. However, our Average Sunday Attendance continued to be in the high 500s. Fr. Certain announced his retirement from active parish ministry in November (to be effective at the end of December).
 Former President Gerald R. Ford died on Dec. 26, 2006. St. Margaret’s served as the place of repose prior to ceremonies in Washington, D.C. and Grand Rapids, MI remembering and honoring the President.
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| 2007 |
Father Dan began to serve as Priest in Charge in January. The Rev. Dr. Roger Douglas came as Interim Rector in May.
A portable classroom was moved on to the campus to accommodate our growing Middle School. The St. Margaret’s Preschool grew in numbers and plans were made to expand.
In the Fall a third Service was added to the Sunday morning schedule.
A Calling Committee was formed by the Vestry; Mario Hernandez was asked to Chair the Committee. |
| 2008 |
In June Cherry Remboldt was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Mathes at the Cathedral in San Diego and assigned to serve at St. Margaret’s. During the Summer another portable room was moved on to the campus of St. Margaret’s to accommodate the growing number of requests for early childhood education. Fr. Al Murray returned to the Coachella Valley and became the Chaplain for St. Margaret’s School. Shivaun Nelson, our Children, Youth and Family Minister, was married at St. Margaret’s to Chris Wilkinson in August. Fr. Dan became seriously ill and was hospitalized in October. Assisting Clergy were asked to do more to help Fr. Douglas provide care for parishioners. |
| 2009 |
In August The Rev. Dr. George Martin succeeded Fr. Douglas as Interim Rector. The Calling Committee worked diligently in the year to recommend a candidate to the Vestry. Shivaun (Nelson) Wilkinson was approved as an Aspirant for Holy Orders and left the Staff in the Summer for seminary. Dr. Marshall concluded his work as Head of School for St. Margaret’s School and Barbara Gibson agreed to serve as Interim Head of School for the 2009-10 School Year. At the end of October Fr. Dan retired due to disability and was named Associate Rector Emeritus by the Vestry. |
| 2010 |
 In April Dr. Richard Cansdale was hired to become the Head of School for the 2010-11 School Year.
In May The Rev. Lane Hensley, "Lane," accepted the call of the Vestry to become the Sixth Rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. July 18th was Lane's first Sunday in the pulpit.
The Cellar Door ministry was concluded on October 31st. We celebrated the many hours, the many years, of volunteer help that made this ministry such a success.
A Celebration of A New Ministry occurred on November 13th, The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, was our celebrant. |
