The Bakersfield Californian from Bakersfield, California • Page 25

tEfif gghrrcftrtft gallfontlan Dec. iS, 197S 23 Church reflects Maricopa problem as area population shrinks By OUY SULLIVAN MARICOPA Thi Congregational Church of this community wai empty dur- IngChrlstmai 1975. Thai's became lit ili regular parlih members no longer have a minister. The lurn-of-lhe-cenlury ityle itructure itandt at one end of California Ararat. Not too far down tlit street hi the empty Christian Qmrch.

Pariah members Mid lait March or April Addlaon Krofta, who waan't really an ordained mlnlater, left because the church could no longer support his services. Two loyal church members, staters, said It was a shame that no minister could be found. Myrtle Anderson, nearly Wind bat still beauUM to her amlor years, said, "The mbtlatar we had moved my and It han't really been a church ever She can remember the facility being In existence at a much smaller structure In 1910 when she first came lo town. Daring what she said were the boom years when Maricopa boasted a population numbering "several hundred," the church gradually grew In size, too. Only In the last five yet ra, she sayi, haa the population declined dramatically as oilfields became less and less productive In the area.

She and her sister have shared the same home these last 14 years while also attending the Congregational Church. Her sister, Geneva Axtell, doea not say much, preferring Instead, to let Myrtle do the tatting. Both declined to have photos taken, stressing the church is what Is most Important. "There were about six of us members who attended regularly towards the last," Mrs. Anderson said.

"It was time for the minister to move away and that's why we don't have a church. What else cook) wo do? "I came here In 1110 and the church was here at that time, much smaller. We had ssssjsaxsv cued Me Snttne to build a bigger church to take care of the people then. They numbered In the several hundreds at that time believe It or not!" The membership, she explained, has gone down when a lot of people moved away because "the big push for the oil was over." She said simply, "And the community has lust gone down." The last church services she noted, were either last March or April. The last minister, she recalled, was formerly a local school teacher." He was not an ordained minister, but he had the church going pretty good at the time." Mrs.

Anderson said. It was usually the Sunday before Christmas when the service of the birth of Christ was held, she noted. In all, she estimated "It's been about three years since we had Christmas service In the church." Despite the slow decrease In membership, she Insists. "We'd all like to have the church again I don't think we would haw as big attendance as we had though "I guess the other folks would want to have their own church lo go again Now we Just go down to Tail Taft eight miles down Highway over hilly terrain Mrs. Anderson believes the parishioners "certainly would want lo go to their church again, If there were someone lo carry on for them, a minister." So many people hart moved away," she recalled." they don't live In Maricopa anymore, so there you are Perhaps the six parish members will receive someone special from Santa Ctaus.

someday. Maybe one day a minister will reopen the Congregational Church. And, for the first lime In three years, a Christmas service might be conducted. Congregational Church of Maricopa tn California Avenue was not lira of Christmas strvktt this ytar btcautt Its six parish mtrnotrt no longer have a minister. It stands down the road Irom another tmpfy srylt facility, tht Christian photo by Ooy Sullivan) Taft's adult center offerings revealed Callfomiaa Sews Sen Ire TAFT Tad College There Is no charge tor boasts an adult center program allowing adults to graduate with high school and associate of arts college degrees.

Since August IV74. officials said Taft Union High School has been an official General Educational Development (GEDI Test Center That means besides tiring aulhoriied to give tests which are legally equivalent to a high school diploma, TUHS offers counseling service to students over IS who wish to earn their diploma through the GED toll Under Joint national and state sponmrhilp. adults who have achieved crrtlllratn which are legally the equlva- tail to a high school diploma Applicants mast pass mts In five subject areas English, social studies, natural science, interpretation literal materials and mathematics. These testa may be administered by any one of he estimated 2.000 official GEO Centers In America and Canada as well as by the US Armed Forces and various other governmental agencies Officials csplalned the purpose of TUHS' plans to such local services, however, the California Salt Department of Education doea charge an 0 fee for Issuance of the Equivalency Certificate to applicants who successfully complete the testa Those under II may fakt the tests if their regular high school class haa graduated. However, they will not re- reive their California High School Equivalency Certificate until they have reached age II als espli of TUHS initiate an adult education program Is to give local adults an opportunity to prepare lor GED tests A varr- ily of adult courses on this high school level are anticipated.

It was noted To be made Is a survey ol community interest due shortly so adult courses ran be tailored more exactly to the the needs and interests of local cllirens Persons who are interested In achieving the equivalent of a high school diploma through the GED testing program may rontart Pete GlanopukM. director of guidance testing at TUHS McFarland council seat goal of Garza CUUeaslu News Sen kt McFARLAND Ruben Carta a McFarland resident 14 years. Is a candidate for election lo McFarland ftk RUBBNyGARZA City Council at the March municipal election. Wednesday was the last day for filing nomination pers (or the two seals to filled Garxa, co-owner of Gana Brothers Furniture Center In Bakertfleld, Mid be feels (l not only hit responsibility, but an obligation to contribute to (he development and future of his community. A former police reservist for four years.

Gana said be la "well veraed on that branch of city government's needs, (unctions, responsibilities and obligations As a businessman be contended be lias experienced in "basic administrative fundamentals, budgeting, controlling spending, constant turveUance of projects and establishing goals and objects." Theso art all necessary to meet present and fulurt demands of aound administration, be said. Gana and bla wife, Mar tha, are parents of three children. Ruben, Christina IV, and Johnny 6. They reside at 471 Ml. Arbor Avenue.

Welfare fraud probation told Sentence of a year In the Kern County Jail, was suspended Billy Neal Mackey, (OS Melba Lane, was placed on two years probation and ordered to make restitution lo the county Welfare Department after he entered a plea ol guilty to welfare fraud Welfare Investigators told Municipal Court Judge Jack E. Lund, who passed sentence, Mackey received welfare aid fraudulently because he had unreported earnings. Californian Correspondents ARVINUMONT-Les Taylor, Ml Plumirse, Arvls, aM-WI. Glrara, 1104 7th Avtsat, 7IMMI. CHINA LAKE-RIDGECR Drlossl, 118 Mayo, RtUKrcst.

71417V4J71 or 711-MMJtJ. FRAZ1ER PARK-Clorla Oft, P.O. Bus 471, MJ-Jta. KERN RIVER VALLEY-Msriarel Everett, P.O. Bos HI.

Keravllle. 71M7MMI. McFARLAND-Eleaaor Sawyer, 711 Third. 7IMI7I. MOJAVE- TEHACHAPI EDWARDS BORON CALIFORNIA CITV-NtU HolWook, IN Norlb Davis, Tthsihapl, SK-4M1.

RAND MINING Roberta Harry, P.O. Bos Rsndiburl. SIIAFTER -BinTONWILLOW -llerb Howell, IN Pacific. Shall- tr, TAFT -MARICOP Sullivan, P.O. Bos M7.

Tail. 74MMJ. WASCO -LOST AaasJ, KJl Suastl. Wasco. 7U-XU.

Gelsltr, 71 West Nana, Ht-Ttl-NH..