Church of Our Saviour Placerville, California

The mission of Our Saviour is to glorify God by caring for all people and the world around us.

The Rev. Craig Kuehn (craig@oursaviourpv.org) began his ministry as rector at Our Saviour in 1999.

Listen to Fr. Craig's radio show, "Healthy Families," on KFOK, Georgetown, streaming at www.kfok.org, Friday mornings at 7 AM.

Fr. Craig was born in 1951 in Salt Lake City, UT. He received a BA in Economics from Westminster College and a M.Div from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. He is married to Suzanne and they have a surviving son, Brian, who lives in Salinas.

Read Fr. Craig's blog at: http://craigkuehn.wordpress.com 

The Rev. Susan Plucker is the associate priest at Our Saviour. Susan is the retired rector at St. Luke's, Auburn. 

Orginally from Arizona (among other places), Susan's ordained ministry has been mainly in Northern California. She has a M.Div. from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific.Susan was and is active in many diocesan ministries. Being retired, Susan will not be at Our Saviour on a regular basis. But when she is, we will be blessed by her presence.

Parish History

 
A continuing beacon to the Placerville community, Our Saviour Parish was organized by the Rev. Charles Caleb Peirce on July 20th, 1861 in the midst of the California Gold Rush. Our Saviour's first services were conducted by Fr. Peirce in the Old Court House in Placerville. Mr. Peirce (he disliked being called, Father) expected to find St. Mary's Episcopal Church, begun in 1857. Unfortunately, the parish could not be found. There is no record of its demise.

Following this were a series of events; the final effort occurring in May of 1865 when a three-day faire and bazaar was held, netting $1,200. At this time the lot on Coloma Street was purchased and work on the church building begun.

The Mountain Democrat in June, 1865, told how the El Dorado Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons laid the cornerstone of the Church of Our Saviour. On December 23rd, of the same year, the newspaper reported: “The opening of the new, elegant and beautiful Episcopal Church on Coloma Street will take place this Saturday evening with the annual distribution of books by Rev. C. C. Peirce”.

Bishop Kip of San Francisco consecrated the building on April 15th, 1866. The completed church cost about $10,500.

Architect William Patton of San Francisco designed the structure. Mr. O. Taylor of Placerville built the parish building. When Fr. Peirce died on March 14th, 1903, schools and businesses closed in his honor.

In 1976, the church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural and religious significance. It is the oldest continually occupied church building in the county.

On this hill overlooking downtown Placerville, Church of Our Saviour continues to be the landmark in the area that it has been since it was built.

For a sesquicentennial edition of a longer history of Our Saviour in PDF, click here.

To view our newsletter, click here:

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Our staff:

Parish Secretary

Teresa Schoener  (office@oursaviourpv.org) Teresa began at Our Saviour in 2004.

Choir Director and Keyboards

(photo not available)

Lorna Perpall Lorna teaches choral music at Folsom Lake College. She also judges high school choral competitions.

Testimonials:

People were very friendly to us during the Peace. We'll be happy to return next time we're in the area. Patricia Watling

The people in your congregation made me feel welcome. Sheryl Hasse

I can't think of anything that could have been done to make me feel. personally, anymore comfotable. Stephanie Bidleman

I can honestly say everyone was extremely friendly. Dorothy Jourett

Someone sat with me and helped me with my babies. Anianna Sampson

The members and clergy have been very warm and welcoming and I love the beautiful historic church as a place to worship and to fellowship with dedicated followers of Christ. Bless you! Dorothy Nesbet

Everyone was very friendly. Jeanette Bari

Vestry Members: (the Vestry is our church board)

The Rev. Craig Kuehn, Rector (Worship)

Joanne McCormack (Church in the World)

Brandy Dorrans (Buildings and Grounds)

David Zelinsky (Finance and Budget)

Elsie Cannon (Christian Education)

Boyd Roberts (Evangelism)

John Miller (Communications)

David Zelinsky, Treasurer