“If you want to know what the population of heaven looks like come and worship at Christ Church LA.” That’s what Lead Pastor Donald Jacobs says. Welcome to Christ Church in Los Angeles.
Since 1970 Christ Church has served its community. It does so with the heart and hands of Jesus. Christ Church is in the heart of Koreatown. Koreatown is one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in downtown Los Angeles.
Christ Church is a place to grow in faith and experience community. It is a place where you and your family can thrive. No matter what you face in life, Christ Church will walk alongside you. Do you need freedom from addiction? Are you experiencing anxiety or anger? Do you need healing in your mind and body? Have you lost hope in life? Bring your messiness, brokenness, or happy self and encounter Jesus.
The Christ Church building is located at 635 South Manhattan Place. It stands as a beacon of hope in Los Angeles.
Pastor Donald Jacobs has been the lead pastor of Christ Church since 2019. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and raised in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Pastor Jacobs grew up in church. He was mentored by his maternal and paternal grandparents who were both preachers. As a young boy he sang in the church choir. His mother directed the choir.
Pastor Jacobs also worked in corporate and non-profit sectors. He served as a business leader in technology, medical supplies, banking/finances, and the services industries. He is the founder and CEO of 5 For Freedom. This is a non-profit corporation. It built a memorial to recognize and honor Veterans that served during the Middle East wars.
Pastor Jacobs has five children, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. His favorite food is soul food. It must include rice or beans.
Interestingly enough this building was not always Christ Church. The first synagogue built on Wilshire Boulevard once stood here. It was called Temple Emanuel. It housed the city’s second Reform congregation. The congregation had been established in 1919.
Originally the temple seated over 1100 people in the main sanctuary. The congregation grew rapidly for several years. But the opening of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple nearby created economic difficulties. The synagogue was soon closed. It was then sold to Christ Church.
In 1939 the congregation was revived. A new synagogue was built at 8844 Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills.
With its well-proportioned symmetrical facade and repeating arched windows, the building on Manhattan Place remains a striking example of a Beaux Arts Renaissance Revival style uncommon to Los Angeles.
Christ Church Los Angeles is also a Bible based Christian Church for the city of Los Angeles. It is located in Atwater Village near Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Echo Park and Glendale.
Everyone in the church has a story to tell. They are all broken people from different backgrounds and different walks of life. Yet they share a deep unity because of God’s love and grace in their lives. Christ Church seeks to extend this love to those around them. This is foundational to what they believe. They invite everyone to come and enjoy the peace and rest offered in Jesus Christ.
Christ Church Los Angeles got started back in 2016. That’s when Missio Dei LA was planted in Silver Lake. Because of them, today, they’re a diverse group of Jesus-followers. They have a longing to see their city flourish through the good news of Jesus Christ. Building on the foundation laid in 2016, in January of 2021 they launched a new church called Christ Church Los Angeles.
You are always welcome at Christ Church Los Angeles. They are saving a seat for you. Wherever you are in your faith journey, they want to help you take the next step toward renewal. So come and enjoy Jesus.