Little White School
Acton, California

Members of the "Union Moral and Religious Association of Acton," a church group, pose for a photograph in front of Acton's original schoolhouse, known as the "Little White School." The photograph was taken on August 25, 1889 by Rudolph Eugene Nickel, the "Father of Acton." The home of George Rebbeck and family is seen in the background at left.

The Little White School was built in 1881 and was used until the brick "Soledad" school was erected in 1890 at roughly the same site off of Soledad Canyon Road in Acton (northeastern Santa Clarita Valley).

More correctly known as the Union Religious & Moral Society of Acton, this predecessor of the Acton Community Presbyterian Church first met on Sunday, April 28, 1888, church records show. The current (2008) pastor, Dr. Judith Hirsch-Fikejs, reports that according to the minutes, Rev. Robbins, a retired preacher, presided over the April 28 gathering.

The following is paraphrased from a caption to this photograph which was probably written in the 1920s by persons unknown:

Acton's first church services and Sunday school classes were held in the first old Acton schoolhouse [shown], where the brick building was erected in 1890, with Mattie Adams as teacher.

June 17, 1888: First services preached by Rev. F.W. Pattee. James Robertson was superintendent. Rev. D.A. Wagner also took turns in preaching. [See above: This wasn't the first service.]

June 24, 1888: 36 present. Friday night program netted $55.00.

August 5, 1888: Bibles donated to Sunday school by Southern California Bible Society. Collection taken every Sunday for organ.

August 15, 1888: New organ played by minister's wife (Mrs. Pattee) and by Miss Mattie Adams, school teacher in 1890-91.

September 30, 1888: John Robbins consented to preach the following Sunday. Preached for 30 years in Acton.

October 7, 1888: Rev. Robbins preached from 1888 until 1916. He was a charter member, and an elder until he was 92 years old. In 1923 he sent in his resignation to the Session and passed away on March 31, 1924. He traveled by horse and buggy until 1916. Then Rev. W.H. Evans preached his first service in October, 1916.