Nestled in the heart of "Old Towne Orange" PJ's Abbey offers a unique dining experience and a special charm from bygone days. Designed from an original Gothic style, Victorian Baptist Church built in 1891. The Abbey offers a quaint setting surrounded by original stained glass windows, polished wood furnishings, and a friendly, attentive staff serving Heavenly American cuisine. For your next dining pleasure or special occasions, the Abbey offers an enlightened experience which will create memories to last a lifetime.

The Abbey wasn't always this way. In 1886, the City of Orange was still two years from incorporation and about 600 people were living here. Many of them were tied to the land growing the fruit that would give this town its name. To expand the religious need of the small community, the decision was made to establish a new church. In June of 1886, twenty-five Baptists living in the area, voted to call a new pastor. They would pay him $700.00 per year and move ahead with plans to build a new church. Thus, the First Baptist Church of Orange was founded. The construction immediately began on a small frame building which was located across the street from where PJ's Abbey Restaurant is today.

In 1891, the second pastor of the little church, Reverend Dr. A.M. Petty, recognized the need for expansion. The farsighted parson could see that the tiny community was on the crest of an economic wave. The agri-business industry, specifically oranges, was expanding rapidly. In time, the City of Orange would become the county's center for the growing and shipping of citrus products. Before long, the area boasted more than forty packing houses. The transcontinental rail lines had been expanded and the eastern markets clamored for California oranges.

To accommodate the growing congregation, construction was started on a new sanctuary. The new church, located on the corner of Orange and Almond Street, was built in the classic Victorian style with strong Gothic influences. While not the first church established in the City of Orange, the actual building was one of the earliest churches constructed in the area. It remains today as the only wooden sided, Gothic/Victorian structure of its kind. While the church was under construction, baptisms, an important part of the church's beliefs, were held in a nearby creek. When seasonal floods did not allow for this, a kindly nearby grove owner allowed the congregation to dam up an irrigation ditch and thus form a small baptismal pond.



The cost of constructing the new church was $3,500.00. Funds were raised by the congregation, a second mortgage was taken on the church and the sale of the original church across the street, which sold for $425.00. These costs, while small today, came at a time when our nation was undergoing a great financial crisis.

In 1893, President Grover Cleveland was beginning his second term as our nation's leader. The big story in the country was the Chicago World's Columbian Exhibition, which ran for six months. The people of Orange had something to be proud of too. In May of that year, the members of the First Baptist Church moved into their new building which stands today as PJ's Abbey Restaurant and Banquet Facility.

A unique feature proudly displayed by the new congregation was the beautiful stained glass windows. These had been ordered by the minister's wife and imported from Belgium by ship around the tip of South America. These original works of art can still be found in the Abbey today. Guests will also find that much of the floor is original. Note how the surface is eight inches higher at the East end of today's restaurant. When built, this was the back of the church and allowed those seated there a better opportunity to see forward. A few of the early pews can be found in the waiting area of today's restaurant. The original pulpit now stands as the podium near the front door when you enter the Abbey.



The little church, like the nation, was not without change. In 1920, the Doughboys had returned from the "war to end all wars" in Europe. In Orange, the First Baptist Church was expanding. The building was enlarged and the steeple was moved closer to almond Street. Part of the expansion included a new social hall which was added onto the back of the church. During remodeling of the main church, the congregation met in this area; what is now the Abbey's Banquet Room. In 1922, a powerful earthquake toppled the original 22' steeple. For many years thereafter, the church existed without its "signature" steeple. In 1996, it was restored but only to a height of 12' as part of the Abbey's reconstruction.

In 1958, the congregation of the First Baptist Church moved to an old school building at the corner of Maple and Waverly. The building became the Antioch Baptist Church which it remained until 1994. At that time, increased costs of operation combined with the dwindling membership led the Baptist Conference to close the church. For 101 years the little church had continuously been home to many of the City of Orange's Baptist flock.

But the First Baptist Church at the corner of Orange and Almond streets was not lost forever. The Mead family saw something special in the little building; something worth saving. With the enthusiastic support of the city, the Mead family purchased the property with the dream of creating a unique restaurant, while preserving the buildings historical and architectural traditions.

The restoration proved a daunting challenge. A special effort was made to preserve the original character of the building. The leaded, stained glass windows were classic in their design but required special handling. Much of the original woodwork was also saved. More than 600 gallons of paint stripper was required to strip away years of layered paint. The roof had to be totally restored. Plumbing and electrical systems also had to be brought up to standard. Original projections were between $100,000.00 and $200,000.00. Ultimately the restoration job would cost much, much more.

In 1996, the dream was realized when the little church came to life again as PJ's Abbey Restaurant and Banquet Facility. Today, visitors from near and far come to enjoy a Heavenly dining experience and the ambiance which this historic treasure offers. The Mead family and staff take special pride when former members of the congregation return to visit and reflect. Their smiles tell it all.

You too are invited to "Taste a Piece of Heaven" here at the Abbey... where the City of Orange's romantic history, traditions and Heavenly dining all come together in the warm, friendly surroundings of PJ's Abbey Restaurant and Banquet Facility.