Picture an affordable housing complex. But once there was something else. It was the First United Christian Molokan Church. It was founded in 1933 by Russian Christians. Some were known as Spiritual Jumpers.
Today we stand before what was once the First United Christian Molokan Church. Three Molokan congregations joined to form this church. It was also known as the Big Church. The church was originally located on East Third Street.
Let me tell you about dedication day in February 1933. Members of the three congregations marched to their new church. Each group was to arrive at eleven o’clock sharp. They said final prayers at the old locations. Each group marched through the middle of the streets. Their presbyters led holding the Opened Bible. The choir was singing Psalm 121. It says “I rejoiced when they said unto me let us go unto the house of the Lord”.
The Boyle Heights congregation was active until 2009. Then it relocated to Whittier. The congregation sold the Lorena Street property. It was sold to the Michaels Organization. They build affordable housing. Part of the deal included keeping the church building. It remained on the hillside site of the 40 million dollar project.
Laura Zane was a spokeswoman for the developer. She said it was not an easy task. Once construction began the old building had to be moved four times. Two large apartment buildings parking garages and courtyards were constructed. The church entrance faced east to Lorena. Now it faces south to Sabina Street. The facade remains virtually the same. It has tall arched windows made of wood. But the interior is totally brand new.
The Molokans may have left their Boyle Heights church. But they remain involved as lenders. They hold a 1.2 million dollar note on the property. The photo of the dedication day of the New United Molokan Church is known as Big Church. Very minimal interiors are part of the Molokan churches. A main table has different objects on it. There is a Bible salt and a loaf of bread. Some churches add a book of prophecy. One of the small radical Molokan churches in Los Angeles has taken the Bible off their table. Benches are used for seating. The male leaders sit at the head and far side of the table. Others sit on benches a distance from the table. Men sit on one side and women on another side.
Meals are a large part of the church. They use benches again. They use saw horses with flat planks of wood for the table top. Long rows of those tables with the benches fill the building. Food is passed down the table for the group meals. The Kern Avenue group celebrated Easter and Christmas. The First United Christian Molokan Church did not celebrate these holidays. Our grandfather Timofey and our uncle John stayed at Big church. They were leaders there. Our brother Fred got married at Big church. He is still part of this church. It has relocated to La Habra California.
When we attended church here there wasn’t a paved parking lot. Another change from when we attended Big Church is the addition of the 60 Fwy. It cuts pretty close to the church property now. My favorite part of being a Molokan were the meals. We shared them at those rows of tables with hot tea. Sugar cubes were set on the tables in small bowls. We kids would build a bridge of sugar cubes. We poured the tea and hot water over them. Then we watched them collapse into the glass.
The Molokan church has a history. It has a story of faith and perseverance. It has adapted to changing times. It continues to be a landmark. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of its community.