Writing book of history for First Presbyterian Church in Columbia CA. Rev. Laurentine Hamilton was the pastor there in 1855-1859. He left and moved to San Jose and eventually to Oakland CA. When the Presbyterian Church charged him with heresy and defrocked him, he and his supporters began a new church known as Independent Church of Oakland and eventually American Unitarian Association and then First Unitarian Church of Oakland. History claims him as the "founder" of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland.

Is this true? Can you verify this? Any other thoughts on this man to add? I appreciate all you can share with me.