A Brief History of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church

• During 1963, worship group begins by meeting in a home.
• Congregational name of St Margaret selected.
• Bishop Bloy designates the new congregation a preaching station.
• By April 1964, founders receive sufficient pledges to become a diocesan mission.
• In December 1964, Bishop Bloy appoints the Rev. Peter Brownlee Vicar.
• During 1967, the original structure that served as the sanctuary is now Karns Parish Hall.
• During the 1970’s, several events signaled significant parish growth:
  1. A parish hall was built which now serves as the Lee Classroom Building.
  2. A bell tower was erected.
  3. St Margaret’s Cellar Door Thrift Store was opened to address community needs.
• During 1986, a building committee solicited architectural drawings for a larger sanctuary.
• In 1987, groundbreaking ceremonies for a new church sanctuary took place. Many notables attended, including President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford, Ambassador and Mrs. Leonard Firestone, and the Rev. Dean Miller, our neighboring Presbyterian pastor.
• During 1987, the beloved Cross on the Hill was officially retitled St. Margaret’s Cross on the Hill.
• On November 16, 1989, the Feast of St Margaret, the new sanctuary was consecrated.
• During 1990, the Firestone Chapel, modeled after St Margaret’s Chapel in the castle at Edinburgh Scotland, was dedicated. The Firestone Chapel, located on the sanctuary’s lower level, offers a regular Wednesday Healing Service, as well as other liturgies for smaller groups.
• In 1995, the Nordstrom Campus of St Margaret’s School was dedicated and blessed.
• In 1998, the new Quimby Pipe Organ was completed, dedicated, and blessed together with the newly completed outdoor columbarium.
• In 2001, a sacred labyrinth was constructed and consecrated, thanks to the great generosity of the Sleight family.
• During September 2003, St Margaret’s School was expanded.
• In November 2004, the Right Reverend James Mathes became bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.
• During December 2006, longtime faithful parishioner, President Gerald R. Ford passed into eternal life. Services were held both at St Margaret’s, Palm Desert as well as at his home parish in Michigan, Grace Episcopal Church, East Grand Rapids. Later that month, the then Rector of St Margaret’s, the Rev. Dr. Robert G. Certain, retired.
• During 2007, an initiative known as Maggie’s Basement Outreach Ministry (now known as Neighbors 4 Neighbors) opened to provide food and other assistance to families in need.
• In 2010, after several years with various priests as Interim Pastors, the Rev. Lane Hensley was called to become Rector of St Margaret’s.
• In 2011, after much prayer and discernment, the Nordstrom Campus School was closed.
• In 2011, on his retirement, the Rev. Dan Rondeau was awarded the title of Associate Rector Emeritus.
• In 2011, the parish adopted a mission statement: Build the Body, Equip the Saints, Change the World.
• July, 2012 saw the priestly ordination of the Rev. Shivaun Wilkinson.
• During October, 2012, Fr. Mendez & Fr. Hensley led a Holy Land tour with forty-two parishioners.
• In March, 2013, Hope Academy leased the Nordstrom school property from the parish.
• During 2014, the parish began the process of subdividing the property in order to sell the upper campus.
• January, 2014 saw a celebratory concert on the 15th anniversary of installation of the Quimby pipe organ.
• In December, 2014, the parish received donations for the purchase of a travel trailer for a homeless person.
• In March, 2015, Karns Parish Hall thoroughly renovated.
• In June, 2015, the creation of Gethsemane Garden was funded and designed by a parishioner.
• In July, 2016, the Rev. Deborah Seles joined the parish staff as Associate Priest.
• In February, 2017, the Rt. Rev. James Mathes resigned as Bishop of San Diego.
• In February, 2017, a solar project agreement was reached with Solar Gain West.
• In September, 2017, the sale of the Nordstrom school property was finalized.
• In October, 2017, Neighbors 4 Neighbors was awarded a Berger Foundation Grant.
• In Summer, 2018, the kitchen was remodeled and upgraded in Karns Parish Hall.
• In March, 2019, the Rev. Patricia Horkey joined the parish staff as Associate for Pastoral Care.
• In June, 2019, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook was ordained as the Bishop of San Diego.
• In December, 2019, noted author Sister Joan Chittister, O.S.B., Ph.D. joined a public speaker event at the parish.
• June, 2020, the Rev. Andrew G. Butler, III was called and began his ministry as the Seventh Rector of St Margaret’s Parish, Palm Desert.

 
The Rectors of the Parish
1964-1970                    The Rev. Peter J. Brownlee
1970-1978                    The Rev. John D. Harrison
1979-1984                    The Rev. Robert Burton
1984-1997                    The Rev. G. Bradford Hall, Jr.
1998-2007                    The Rev. Dr. Robert G. Certain
2010-2020                    The Rev. Lane G. Hensley
2020-present               The Rev. Andrew G. Butler, III