“What’s in a name?” you might ask. Well, the name Jesus of Nazareth Undenominational Church tells a story. It links Jesus to the world’s toiling, struggling, sorrowing heart.
This church stands as a testament to faith. It also represents the evolving landscape of Christianity in Los Angeles. We are standing before a place of worship. It is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a spiritual landmark.
In the late 19th century, Los Angeles saw modest beginnings of influential movements. These included the Church of the Nazarene. Also the broad Pentecostal movement. In 1895, Phineas Bresee and Joseph Widney formed a new church. The Times called it a “New Denomination.” But they later downgraded it to “A New Mission”. Only 82 people attended the inaugural service.
Despite the humble start, the Church of the Nazarene grew. It now has over a million members worldwide. Widney chose the name Jesus of Nazareth. He wanted to connect Jesus to the struggling heart of the world.
The first church stood where the Ronald Reagan State Building is now. The congregation became known for its rousing services. However, Widney disapproved. In 1898, a great “outpouring of the Spirit” occurred. Leading church members streamed to the altar. Widney left because of these practices and teachings. He also felt unappreciated for his financial contributions.
Widney eventually built a small interfaith chapel at Mt. Washington. Bresee continued. In 1899, he said the Holy Ghost fell upon the people in Pentecostal fashion. About 50 people praised God at once.
The ancient Jewish holiday of Pentecost spurred the apostles. They formed the early church and spoke in strange tongues. Speaking in tongues was limited for much of Christian history. But in 1906, the Pentecostal movement began at the Azusa Street Mission. This small church was in what is now Little Tokyo. Speaking in tongues became a repeatable experience. It happened during exuberant worship services.
The Times headlined it a “Weird Babel of Tongues.” Many denominations emerged from this “outpouring of the Holy Spirit.” The Assemblies of God and the Church of God in Christ trace their beginnings to Azusa Street.
By December 1906, Bresee condemned the Azusa Street revival. He called speaking in tongues “a senseless mumble.” He felt the Pentecostal revival had little influence on Los Angeles. He compared it to a pebble thrown into the sea.
Through a merger in 1907, it became the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene. The denomination often dates its beginning from another merger in 1908. But the word “Pentecostal” was dropped in 1919. This avoided confusion with the tongues-speaking movement. The church has sternly rejected the practice ever since.
Jesus of Nazareth Undenominational Church stands as a symbol. It represents faith, division, and evolution within Christianity. It reminds us of the diverse expressions of faith. This church’s story is a microcosm of Los Angeles’ religious history. It echoes the city’s vibrant and ever-changing spiritual landscape.