The 1925 Santa Barbara Earthquake Centennial Interfaith Prayer Service brought together a diverse group on the steps of the Santa Barbara Mission to remember the 11 people who perished in the June 29, 1925 earthquake.

Earthquake Centennial Interfaith Service participants gather for a photo outside the Santa Barbara Mission. (Bonnie Carroll photo)
Earthquake Centennial Interfaith Service participants gather for a photo at the Santa Barbara Mission. (Bonnie Carroll photo)

The Standing Together in Times of Crisis service was attended by local residents, church leaders, city and state officials, historian Neal Graffy and Santa Barbara Poet Laureate George Yatchisin.

Also participating were members of the EQ25 Alliance steering committee members Steve Hausz, Denis Doordan, Bonnie Carroll, Betsy Green, Joe deLise, John Margolis, Jonathan Smith, Keith Butler, Mary Lou Days, Neal Graffy, Pat Saley, Roman Baratiak, Rick Closson, and other volunteers.

Graffy, Fr. Joe Schwab OFM, president, Old Mission Santa Barbara, and Fr. Dan Lackie OFM, pastor, St. Barbara Parish at Old Mission Santa Barbara welcomed guests and made introductions to area interfaith church leaders.

Fr. Joe Schwab, left, president of Old Mission Santa Barbara, with historian Neal Graffy. (Bonnie Carroll photo)
Fr. Joe Schwab, left, president of Old Mission Santa Barbara, with historian Neal Graffy, were part of the Standing Together in Times of Crisis service . (Bonnie Carroll photo)

Reflections and remembrances were offered by Ernestine Ygnacio-De Soto, Barbareno Chumash elder; Rabbi Daniel Brenner, associate rabbi, Congregation B’nai B’rith; Thepo Tulku, Santa Barbara Summit for Tibet; Rev. Elizabeth A. Molitors, rector, Trinity Episcopal Church; Robb Fuesler, senior pastor, First United Methodist Church; Wendy Sims Moten, representing Pastor Elbert Sherrod, African American Methodist Church and Frank Leon, Unity Church.

Steve Hausz, Santa Barbara Conservancy, helped to unveil the dedication plaque, and Graffy gave historic background and read the names, with information on the 11 people who died in the 1925 quake.

Santa Barbara City Councilmember Kristen Sneddon presented a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Randy Rowse. Gunnar Langenhuizen, field representative for State Assemblymember Gregg Hart, presented a proclamation on behalf of the State of California.

Yatchisin read the poem “June Ruins Rise,” and John Vale sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

At exactly three o’clock the mission bells began to ring and were joined by other churches bells in Santa Barbara.

“This was a truly genuine Santa Barbara event,” said Dennis Doordan, EQ25 Program chair and Historic Landmarks Commission member. “Doodan indicated the beauty of Old Santa Barbara Mission, surrounded by California natural beauty was ideal for this special remembrance of our city’s history.”