In the early 1930's the Superintendent of the Sunday School was Miss Helen F. Young, followed by Mrs. Delia Reinbold. Teachers included Gladys Hom, Lillian and Constance Lai, Pearl Seid, Jane Quon, Mrs. Roy French, Ty Barnes, Agnes Hom, Lila Hom, Katherine Lem, Katherine Tom, Rose Lee, Betty Reinbold and Clara Breed.

In 1933 the city population of Chinese was estimated to be around 400, most of whom attended the Chinese Mission for at least some of its functions. It was a place where the young people could get acquainted. More marriages were taking place between California born Chinese-Americans. Most of the Chinese men who were now arriving from China intended to remain, rather than to receive an education or make some money and return to China.

Reverend Leong was followed in 1933 by Robert Lee, who was formerly Secretary of the Shanghai YMCA, and who served only part time. The Chinese in San Diego spoke Cantonese while Lee spoke only Mandarin so no bi-lingual services were held.

In 1934 Reverend T.C. Shum of Oakland took over the pulpit. He was a talented artist and also an herbalist. In 1935-36 San Diego held its California- Pacific International Exposition in Balboa Park and the Houses of Pacific Relations were inaugurated. These cottages were turned over to different nationalities as a means of demonstrating their native customs and accomplishments. One of the cottages became the Hall of China. The Chinese Youth Association of the Mission assumed the responsibility for maintaining the cottage and manning it on Sunday afternoons when it was open to the public.

A great change in the Mission occurred in 1937 when Reverend Kei T. Wong and his bride, Edith, arrived to take over the pastorate. When they first came they lived at the Mission and Edith was the first woman to live in the dormitory. She endeared herself to the young men by helping with the cooking and teaching them English as well as assisting the college students with their lessons.

Reverend Wong and his wife brought new life and spirit into the activities of the Mission. A Chinese Christian Women's Club was formed to provide a place where the women could meet and socialize as many Chinese women were timid about getting out from their homes. Still most of the Chinese lived in Chinatown or in the downtown area of San Diego and the Mission was within a convenient distance of their homes.

During the Japanese-Chinese war of 1937 the Chinese at the Mission raised funds and collected food to send to needy Chinese in the homeland.

In 1935 Mrs. Fanton had resigned as Superintendent of the Mission on account of ill health, although she continued until her death to serve the Chinese. She was succeeded by Mrs. Delia Reinbold who already was in charge of the Sunday School. Mrs. Reinbold, like Mrs. Fanton before her, went into the homes of the Chinese and encouraged the mothers to bring their children to Sunday School and to come to the Women's Club. If they were in need of help, financial or otherwise, she would arrange with a private charity or with other Chinese to provide for their need. Mrs. Reinbold opened her large home at 4769 Panorama Drive to parties for the children and social gatherings for the young people. She was soon known as "Mother" Reinbold to all the Chinese in the community who knew they could call on her with their problems.

A small pump organ replaced the old upright piano, and the first organist was Pearl Hom Seid, followed by Charles Shatto, the official city organist at the Balboa Park organ, who volunteered his time. Later Mrs. W.F. Reyer took over as organist and she became a beloved friend of the Chinese people, remaining as organist after the Mission had become the Chinese Community Church in its beautiful new building on 47th Street.

Reverend Wong received only a small salary. The Congregational Conference provided $30 a month and the balance was raised by the congregation. To augment his meager salary he taught Chinese language to the children and also a class in art. Later he taught a University Extension class in Chinese. Under his leadership Boy Scout Troop 101 was started, with Paul Yee, Sr., as Scout Master.34

Reverend Wong was the first full time minister at the Mission and the first to enter into community life outside Chinatown. He became a leader in race relations activities in San Diego. He and his wife were greatly admired not only by the Chinese but by others who came in contact with them. He served during the years when the Chinese were still subject to oppressive immigration laws and he and his wife were knowledgeable about the immigration law and were helpful to the Chinese with their immigration problems. It was not until 1943 that the Exclusion Acts were finally repealed. But the quota system that was set up was just as effective a means of exclusion since only a few Chinese were granted entry.35 However, of those entering the United States after 1943 the overwhelming number were female, helping to right the previous imbalance of male and female.36 Under the War Brides Act of December 28, 1945, ChineseAmericans who had married in China could send for their wives and children who were allowed to enter on a non-quota basis. More than thirty War Brides came to San Diego as a result of this act. By this time there were about 600 Chinese families in San Diego County.

It was Reverend Wong who started Sunday services at 11 A.M. to coincide with other churches and he was anxious that the Mission should expand and grow into a full-fledged church. To that end he laid plans so that, by the time his service came to an end in 1946, the time was ripe for the little Mission to be called a church. Reverend Wong went to San Francisco as pastor of the San Francisco Chinese Presbyterian Church which he still serves.

Dr. Peter Lee succeeded Reverend Wong. Dr. Lee was ordained as a Baptist minister and returned to the United States in October, 1945, after having been interned by the Japanese in the Philippines. Dr. Lee arrived in early 1946 and on November 9, 1946, after the kroundwork had been laid by Reverend Wong, the Mission became a church. Dr. Nelson Dreier of the Congregational Conference officiated at the Service of Recognition, assisted by other Congregational ministers in San Diego, Dr. Walter Stark, Dr. Lester Bond, Reverend John J. Barber and Reverend E. M. Shavers. The name was changed to Chinese Congregational Church. With this action the church broke its ties with the Congregational Conference that had overseen the Mission since 1890 and it became self supporting. Philip Hom was elected first Chairman of the Board of Trustees with Kenneth Jair succeeding him the next year and serving for the next nine years.37

In 1948 Dr. Lee resigned in order to teach philosophy at San Diego State College. For the next two years the church was without a regular pastor. Reverend John J. Barbour, Pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church, filled the pulpit every Sunday after conducting services in his own church.

On July 15, 1950, Reverend Robert Fung, a graduate of the San Francisco Theological Seminary, arrived with his bride to take over the pastorate. During his years as minister the name was again changed to Chinese Community Church to indicate its nondenominational status.

On Mother's Day, May 10, 1953, Mrs. Reinbold was honored when a beautiful Communion table of oriental design was dedicated to her. At the special service of dedication one speaker said that whenever Mrs. Reinhold's name was mentioned, the reply would be "Mrs. Reinhold dai yut ho" meaning "You are number one good" or "You are tops!38 Also in 1953 a new organ was dedicated to the memory of "Mother" Fanton who had passed away in 1950 after more than forty years of devoted service to the Chinese.

During the 1950's the church flourished. Besides church services, in English and Chinese, and Sunday School classes for the children, there were the Ladies' Guild, Men's Club, Teenagers' Club and a Married Couples Club. Picnics and youth outings, and a Vacation Bible School were held in the summers. The big event of each year was the Christmas night service for the whole family. Religious services, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, a Santa Claus and gifts for the children, made this an exciting time. These beautiful Christmas night services which began in the very early days of the Mission continue to this time at the Chinese Community Church as a fond tradition.

"Mother" Reinhold died March 18, 1956, and on Mother's Day, May 13, a special service was held in her memory. Glowing tributes to the work she had done and the love she had shown to her Chinese friends were given by representatives from the Junior and Senior High classes, the church school, Ladies' Guild, and the senior church members. The meeting room in the church was renamed Reinhold Hall, and a portrait of Mrs. Reinhold was unveiled.39

Reverend Fung resigned the pastorate in 1957 in order to teach in the San Diego City Schools. Reverend Jow succeeded him. Jow had served for twelve years as pastor of the United Church of Christ in Honolulu. He was a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary. The Community Church, still commonly referred to as the Mission, had outgrown its quarters. Furthermore by the 1950's there was no longer a Chinatownthe Chinese families had moved into all parts of the city and no longer lived within a close distance from the Mission. A new building committee was formed to look at possible sites for a new church.

On August 31, 1958, at a meeting of the congregation, the purchase of seven and one-half acres of land on 47th Street, at a cost of $30,000, was approved. A drive for funds began immediately and contributions were solicited and received not only from members of the church but from others, in the Chinese and Caucasian community. Warren C.T. Wong, of Stockton, California, was chosen as architect of the new building and Arthur D. Decker of El Cajon was his assistant. In August, 1959, the old Chinese Mission building was sold for use by the Plaza Press.

Final worship service was held at the Mission January 31, 1960, at which time the original cornerstone was removed. Former pastors who were present were Dr. Peter A. Lee and Reverend Robert Fung. Honored guests were Roland Fanton and Evangeline Fanton Gilchrist, son and daughter of Margaret Fanton, and Elizabeth Reinbold MacPhail, daughter of Delia Reinbold. Margaret Fanton and Delia Reinbold will always be remembered for their dedication and love for the Chinese when they were in need of a helping hand and "mothering".

Today, suspended above the communion table in the chancel of the new church hangs a wood and stainless steel cross accented by lights. This cross bears the in????ion that it was placed in memory of these two beloved women.

While the new building was under construction the congregation was offered a hall for their services at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Fifth and Nutmeg. The cornerstone of the new church was laid June 19, 1960, and the first service in the strikingly beautiful building—Chinese Modern in architecture—was held on September 11, 1960. At that time the church commemorated its 75th Anniversary while celebrating the completion of the sanctuary and classroom units on the new site at 1750 47th Street!40

Today the Chinese Community Church stands as a proud memorial to the first Chinese who settled in San Diego. Many of their descendants are seeing the results of the work and dedication of earlier generations of Chinese-Americans and their Caucasian friends. At the Chinese Community Church classes in Chinese language and culture are taught by the Chung Hwa School of San Diego. Both children and adults attend the classes which are open to all races and nationalities. Both Cantonese and Mandarin dialects are taught. Whereas Cantonese was the language most frequently spoken by old time San Diego Chinese, Mandarin is today spoken by most of the professional people coming into the area.

The present owners of the old Chinese Mission at 643 First Avenue have envisioned a new commercial use for the buildings. They intend, however, to preserve the original architecture so that the memories which linger there will remain as a tribute to the gentle, hard working and ambitious Chinese-Americans of an early day.