Historical Society Hosts Free Little Brown Church Tours

The San Leandro Historical Society is announcing the Little Brown Church will be open for tours Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is located at 385 W. Estudillo Avenue, San Leandro.  The society hosts the free tour for the public annually.

The Little Brown Church was established in 1867 and is one of the oldest remaining buildings in San Leandro.

For more information about the Little Brown Church tour or to make a donation to help continue to preserve it, go  here. You can also read an article about it that appeared on San Leandro Patch earlier this year.

The historical society's website provides this overview of the church:

"The First Presbyterian Church, dedicated in April 1867, was always known as the Little Brown Church to its members. The church stood on Clarke Street near West Joaquin. In 1880, a Sunday school annex was added to the church. The sanctuary of the church was moved in 1935, then demolished in the 1960s, but the Sunday school addition remained on Clarke and was used as a missionary school.  When the Clarke Street lot was sold, the Historical Society acquired the building (the Sunday school wing that was the only remaining part of the Little Brown Church) and moved it to its present location behind the at 384 West Estudillo Avenue.

The San Leandro Historical Society now uses the Little Brown Church for meetings and community programs, and it is available for rental for baptisms, weddings, and private events. Call 510.910.3215 or email sanleandrohistory@gmail.com for more information.

The Little Brown Church needs many preservation and restoration projects.  The San Leandro Questers has donated $2,000 to kick-start our campaign to fund the restoration of the oldest church building still standing in San Leandro.  Will you help us save this San Leandro treasure?  The San Leandro Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and donations are tax deductible."

Send a check to:

San Leandro Historical Society
P. O. Box 1046
San Leandro, California 94577

The historical society also will be sponsoring its annual Day at the Casa at the in downtown San Leandro on September 22 this year.  This too is a free event, open to the public. Mark your calendar.