What if I told you the First United Christian Molokan Church has a fascinating story? It involves Russian immigrants and a struggle to maintain traditions in a rapidly changing world. This church is a testament to faith. It is a community’s resilience.
The First United Christian Molokan Church has roots in early 20th-century Los Angeles. Thousands of Molokans sought religious freedom here. Molokans are Spiritual Christians who trace back to 17th-century Russia. They rejected Russian Orthodox Church formalism. They emphasized a personal relationship with God.
By 1932, Los Angeles was home to about 5,600 Molokans. They formed six congregations. That same year, a significant event occurred. Three congregations decided to unite. These were the Selimskaia, Karmolinovskaia, and Ol’shanskaia churches. With over 500 families, they bought property on East Third Street. Here they built what became known as the “Big Church.” Officially, it was the First United Christian Molokan Church.
February 26, 1933, was a day of joyous procession. Members marched from their old meeting places to their new assembly hall. However, not all Molokans were happy about this merger. A minority criticized the move. Prophet Ivan Sussoyeff predicted the Big Church would abandon important Molokan principles.
The church was to be governed by committees. This included a Spiritual Committee. Presbyters and elders would be under the authority of this committee’s younger members. The chief speaker would be elected yearly. These changes aimed to eliminate dissension. Opponents cut off fellowship with the Big Church. Sympathizers stayed.
Pauline Young wrote about the Molokans in 1932. She described their struggles in urban America. Young estimated about 5,600 Molokans lived in Los Angeles. She counted six congregations. The great majority of those Young interviewed are no longer living. The troubled youth she described would now be well beyond 70 years of age.
The First United Christian Molokan Church is associated with the United Molokan Christian Association or UMCA. The UMCA started in a vacant store. By 1928, it moved to a remodeled house for 300 children. In 1934, a Ladies Auxiliary was organized. Every Sunday, children learned Molokan songs and lessons in Russian and English. Wednesday evenings included meetings for teenagers to teach Molokan traditions.
During World War I, Molokan leaders established their denomination as a peace church. Most young men registered as conscientious objectors. Six men from Arizona were imprisoned for refusing to cooperate with the military. By World War II, convictions for joining the military had weakened. Ivan Samarin wrote to President Roosevelt asking for military exemption for Molokans. A Molokan Advisory Council worked with other peace churches.
Today, descendants from the early 1900s number over 20,000. Active church members are far fewer. About 2,000 regularly participate in Molokan worship. Around 60% of active Molokans still live in the Los Angeles area. There are ten Molokan congregations in and around Los Angeles.
As you stand here today, consider the First United Christian Molokan Church’s journey. It began with faith. It faced challenges. The church adapted. The First United Christian Molokan Church is a symbol of enduring faith. It represents cultural identity. It highlights community. It is still alive today.