LAKEPORT, Calif. – Local history buffs know St. John’s Episcopal Church as the architectural jewel that has stood on the corner of North Forbes Street and Clearlake Avenue in Lakeport for 113 years.

Lake County newcomers and tourists will want to connect to the story Sunday, May 20, when The Collier Room is dedicated to the memory of church founder Mary Blackwood Collier.

Collier’s great-granddaughter, from Santa Barbara, and other family members plan to attend the dedication immediately after the regular 10 a.m. service at 1190 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. A potluck lunch follows in Carey Hall.

Lake County history intertwines with St. John’s and the Collier family.

Out of the ashes of tragedy arose one of the finest Victorian redwood structures in Northern California.

After the loss of her youngest child, John Pierre, to a fire at their grand Victorian home in what is now the Robin Hill area north of Lakeport, Mary Blackwood Collier was determined to erect a lasting memorial to her beloved son by building St. John's Episcopal Church.

She rallied the support of other Episcopalians in the area who, since 1877, were organized as a mission of Holy Trinity Church, Ukiah.

Through the Collier Family roots in San Francisco they were able to commission the brilliant young architect, Willis Polk, who a decade latter was one of the chief rebuilders of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake and fire.

To their great satisfaction, since most of the Episcopalians in Lake County were of English stock, Polk designed what he called an "English country church" in native redwood.

Having secured the lot on the north end of town, Mrs. Collier and the other ladies set about fundraising, even to the performing of "entertainments" (it is rumored that these were can-can dances) in the resorts and local drinking establishments.

St. John's was completed and consecrated in July 1899.    

At St. John’s last annual meeting a resolution was approved to name the new conference room, created out of the former secretary's office, The Collier Room.

In honor of Mary Blackwood Collier and the other builders of St. John's. Fr. Leo Joseph, St. John's parish priest, has been in touch with Ms. Mary Blackwood Collier of Santa Barbara, the granddaughter and namesake of the founder, and she has graciously furnished the church with a formal portrait of her grandmother and also a portrait of the whole Collier family of Lakeport.

In the past three months a lot has been done to make this a reality.

The room was emptied of its 50 years of accumulation and the walls and ceiling painted.

Antique wood finish flooring has been donated and an oriental design area rug, given by the late Helen Tolton's daughter, Sharon, will cover the center of the room. On it will set a solid antique pine conference table, donated by Rob and Teri Millberry in memory of Rob's father, Bob Millberry, and the other family who have been members of St. John's over the past century.

A matching corner cabinet has been donated as well as a dozen hardwood folding chairs. B

esides serving as a small meeting space, The Collier Room will display family portraits of the Colliers as well as other pictures and historic objects connected with St. John's early years.   

So make sure you get the word out to new and longtime Lake County folk and history buffs. This is one event not to miss.