Santa Monica First United Methodist Church Celebrates Its 150th Birthday

Come to the First United Methodist Church on October 12 to celebrate their 150th anniversary.

When I arrived at the Santa Monica First United Methodist Church as an Associate Pastor 25 years ago, I quickly learned how connected it was to our community. However, now serving as the Senior Pastor, I truly appreciate the depth of that connection as the church and our City both celebrate their 150th birthdays.

On October 15, 1875, the Rev. John D. Crum gathered a small group of new residents together for the first meeting of Methodists in Santa Monica. The City of Santa Monica had just been established earlier that same year. As these residents arrived, some felt called to form a new faith community. They met in a second-floor loft of Mr. Brady’s hardware store located at Fourth and Arizona Streets, marking the start of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Santa Monica.

Soon the congregation would build a structure of their own at 6th and Arizona, a small, gothic sanctuary that accommodated the growing congregation. That original church building was moved eventually to Second Street, and is now a private home. As the congregation grew, a larger sanctuary was built at 4th and Arizona, serving as the church home for the next 57 years until our current campus was constructed at 11th and Washington in 1953.

A church, however, is much more than a building or an institution. It is community of faith comprised of people who are neighbors to one another. Generations of our families and friends have dedicated themselves to enriching the life of our community.

Our Christmas and Spring concerts have provided choral and orchestral performances for the public. Upward Bound House, a non-profit organization providing housing and services for seniors and families facing homelessness, was envisioned, founded, and built by our congregation.

We continue to support many other organizations including the Westside Food Bank, The People Concern, and American Red Cross with both volunteers and our financial gifts.

Our sesquicentennial celebration began in September with a different theme and focus each Sunday, including a History and Archives exhibit that features photos, videos, and artifacts.

We look forward to the culmination on Sunday, October 12 with a special anniversary worship service featuring Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank and many clergy who have previously served our congregation and this community. A reunion luncheon will follow.

I am grateful to serve as the Senior Pastor of this congregation. We all look forward to continuing to serve this community in the years to come.

By Pastor Greg Batson