History
Sunnyside Presbyterian Church was officially organized in 1870 and was called Second Presbyterian Church. In 1894, the name was changed to Trinity Presbyterian, and in 1923 the name of Sunnyside Presbyterian Church was adopted.
Sunnyside was the first Protestant church on the East Side of the St. Joseph River. A small congregation gathered in April 1867 and began holding services at the home of one of its members. Services were held in the first church building that October. It is interesting to note that Father Sorin, the founder of Notre Dame, made a personal donation for the purchase of a bell for the new church.
A new brick building was erected in 1894, and the church adopted the name Trinity Presbyterian. In 1913, a “Billy Sunday Revival” was held in South Bend resulting in a membership growth which nearly tripled the size of the church.
The brick building burned in 1919. Prior to this tragedy, discussions had been held with Mr. John Mohler Studebaker about the possibility of making improvements and additions to the church building. An architect advised against renovations, recommending that a new church be built.
Plans for this new church were drawn, and Mr. Studebaker set aside lots on the corner of Washington and Frances Street. A suggestion was made that the new church be renamed “Studebaker Memorial Presbyterian Church.” Mr. Studebaker wisely disapproved of the name change. When the new building was finished in 1923, the congregation voted to rename the church Sunnyside, after the name of the Studebaker home on East Jefferson.
A small education unit was added in 1961. It was completed in 1967. In 1998, the education rooms were converted to our Bible Journeys Sunday School, using the Workshop Rotation model for children’s education.
In 2005, a new addition and renovation project was completed. This project included the main floor Gathering Place, elevator to all levels, downstairs Witherspoon Room, outdoor Plaza and updated the library, Music Room, Youth Rooms, Fellowship Hall, hallways and restrooms.
