From the beginning, St. Michael's has been linked with the development of the community of Ridgecrest/China Lake, in the Indian Wells Valley in the high desert. Prior to 1943, the valley supported only a few small ranching and dairyfarming communities. In that year, in the midst of World War II, the Navy and the California Institute of Technology established an activity in the valley to test air-launched rockets and other ordnance; the base was located at Inyokern, west of Ridgecrest/China Lake. By 1945, the base (the Naval Ordnance Test Station) had been relocated to China Lake and had grown into a major defense laboratory and test complex, and community development kept pace.
In the early days, many area residents lived on the Navy base itself, and, in fact, St. Michael's started there. Major population shifts occurred in the early 1970's as significant numbers of people moved into Ridgecrest from the base. In addition, as the Cold War intensified, the population of the area grew. The Navy base itself evolved, becoming the Naval Weapons Center in 1968 and the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in 1991.
With the fall of the former Soviet Union and declining defense budgets this trend reversed after 1990, leading to a period of retrenchment.Recent terrorist activities throughout the world have once again revitalized NAWS and Ridgecrest.
In 1946 Bishop Summer Walters and Fr. Art Kean of the Missionary District of Nevada (Carson City) visited the Indian Wells Valley and conducted a survey of Episcopalian families living there. There were, according to report, about 13 families and individuals. Services were started at once in private homes with Art Pfeifer (on loan from the District of Nevada) and Mr. Maurice Clifton conducting Morning Prayer, and Archdeacon Doron from San Joaquin coming once a month for the Eucharist.
Graduating from private homes about 1946 or 47, the congregation then met in the Navy chaplain's office. Church school started about 1947 with an enrollment of 9 or 10 children in what is now Murray School. Each Sunday they used a different room, and packed equipment from homes.
During this time, 1947 - 48, a deacon, The Rev. Paul Langpaap, shared his time between Bishop and China Lake. He was later ordained to the priesthood at St. Michael's. During his ministry the mission acquired one half a Quonset hut (building 00096) on the base. The members of the church refurbished the hut from floor to ceiling, installing flourescent lighting and a new floor, building an altar and choir stalls, and installing wooden pews, one of which can be seen in our present church narthex. The building became the Navy Chapel Annex, and was ready for service on Easter Day, 1948.
Fr. Langpaap departed in 1948 or 49, and was succeeded for a short time by another deacon (The Rev. John P. Christensen, who was also later ordained to the priesthood at St. Michael's) and by The Rev. Stephen Green, who was called as vicar.
Finally, in 1950 a measure of stability was achieved when the Rev. Fredrick Stillwell was assigned as vicar, and served until 1959. He and his wife were a team, and the mission grew under their devoted ministry. In 1955 a directed canvass, led by Mr. Maurice Clifton, launched the move toward constructing a facility off Navy property. Initial construction involved the sanctuary and a Sunday School wing at our present location. These facilities were dedicated April 20, 1958. Further growth of the congregation ensued.
Putting Down Roots, 1959 - 66
Following Fr. Stillwell's retirement in 1959, The Rev. Robert Harvey was called to be vicar. This was a period in which St. Michael's put down roots in the community "outside the gate" of the Navy base, and became a full-fledged member of the community.
Under Fr. Harvey's leadership, expansion of the physical plant continued, with the addition of further school rooms on the existing structure,plus a Rectory, completed in 1960. St. Michael's was accorded parish status by the Diocesan Convention in 1964. A second building phase completed the present parish hall, classrooms, kitchen, and library in 1966.
It was during this time, as in many other congregations in the country, that many members of the congregation received the gifts of the Holy Spirit in various forms. Although initially a source of divisiveness, this ultimately proved to be a source of strength for the congregation.
Fr. Harvey left in 1966 to continue advanced schooling.
Viet-Nam War and Recovery, 1966-1978
During the several months' lapse between Rectors, Mr. George Linsteadt was ordained a perpetual deacon on St. Michael's Day, 1966.
The Rev. H. Lee Wilson was called in 1966 to serve as Rector of St. Michael's coming from Good Shepard, Reedley. He served with love and devotion during the difficult years of the Viet nam war and its associated unrest, both of which were keenly felt in a community strongly linked to the Navy.
Fr. Wilson was succeeded by the Rev. C. Bruce Spencer, who came from St. Mark's, Shafter in 1971. Under his leadership an extensive remodeling of the nave, chancel and altar were undertaken, including the current altar front and the installation of permanent pews. Fr. Spencer coped with the controversies surrounding the introduction of the new trial liturgies (which eventually became the 1979 Book of Common Prayer) with compassion and a spirit of reconcilliation. He left in 1977 to return to Oregon.
The Period if Growth, 1978 -1990
The Rev. John Patterson was recruited by Bishop Rivera from Ashton-under-Lyne, near Manchester, England, and called to St. Michael's in March 1978, with wife Olive. Fr. Patterson was a former Royal Air Force chaplain. Under his pastoral care, St. Michael's experienced further growth in membership. This was also during the period of greatest growth in the town of Ridgecrest.
It was during his tenure that St. Michael's experience both a significant growth in lay ministry and a great increase in spiritual renewal, such as Happening, Vocare, Cursillo, and Marriage Encounter. In addition, a great increase in interest and support of outreach occurred, with an accompanying commitment of financial resources. Fr. Patterson and Olive left in January 1990, to return to England to care for family members.
Retrenchment and Stability, 1990 - 2001
During 1990, The Rev. C. A. ("Terry") Burley was called as interim during the search process. He provided pastoral and liturgical leadership, and presided over the necessary adjustments that inevitably accompany times of transition with great sensitivity and compassion.
After a search process during 1990, led by Mr. Herb Campbell, The Rev. Kenneth D. Richards was called as Rector in September, 1990. Fr. Richards' ministry was a time of change, both in the community and in the parish. The end of the Cold War brought a drop in workload at the Naval Air Warfare Center, the community's principal employer, leading to a general economic decline in the area. Furthermore, the congregation saw the loss of many long-time members, through retirement or death. The liturgical and spiritual life of the congregation flourished, however, and new members were added. The Cursillo movement, in particular, was strong. Fr. Richards and his wife, Dee, found a special place in the hearts of the congregation - especially the children. Fr. Richards' enthusiasm and energy touched all aspects of parish activities. His insight added much to our worship services.
His love and joy in the Lord was truly contagious. Throughout this period, the parish was relatively untouched by the controversies at the level of the Episcopal Church USA.
During this time further construction was completed. The nave was expanded and a new, and badly needed, narthex added, and the courtyard was paved and landscaped. The parish hall and kitchen were refurbished and needed storage space added.
Fr. Richards was vigorously aided in his ministry by his wife, Dee, until her untimely death in 1996. Fr. Richards retired in 2001 and a search for a new rector was started. Our Prayers were answered and a new Priest was selected Fr. John-Paul Wadlin. Fr. John-Paul began his ministry in September of 2002 and, together with his wife Pam, immediately launched several new programs: Adult Bible Study between the 7:30 and 10:00AM Sunday services, Thursday night Healing Service at 6 PM, Married Couples Group at the Rectory on Friday Evenings, and "Jason's Joy" Prayer and Praise Service on Saturdays at 5 PM. Fr. JP was Installed by Bishop John-David Schofield in a joyful and Spirit-led celebration on Saturday, October 19th, 2002.
The Future
St. Michael's looks toward the future in confidence, strong in the faith, in witness, and in service to others, being a Christ-centered congregation empowered by the Holy Spirit to do God's work.
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