“Los Angeles should be held as England holds Gibraltar.” That’s quite a statement. It was made by James Fraser. He was a home missionary. His words led to the founding of First Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles.
Welcome to First Presbyterian Church. Its story is one of faith and perseverance. It is also one of community support.
Los Angeles wasn’t always receptive to Presbyterianism. In fact, five attempts to establish a congregation failed. One minister even declared Los Angeles the “hardest nut to crack.” He returned east, heartbroken.
But James Fraser persisted. In 1874, he organized First Presbyterian Church. He saw Los Angeles as a strategic location. However, the Board of Home Missions was skeptical. They told him to work it out on his own faith. They didn’t share his faith in Los Angeles.
Despite the initial struggles, First Presbyterian thrived. The church became a refuge for Chinese immigrants. These immigrants faced discrimination and hardship. Many joined First Presbyterian in its first decade. Within 25 years, First Presbyterian helped establish eight other congregations in Southern California.
These included First Presbyterian Church, Santa Monica. Others were Second Presbyterian Church and Chinese Presbyterian Church. Third Presbyterian Church also owes its start to First Presbyterian. Boyle Heights Presbyterian Church, Bethany Presbyterian Church, Immanuel, and Grandview followed.
In 1895, the congregation moved to a new building. It was located at 20th and Figueroa. The neon sign was quite distinctive. But in 1960, the city condemned the building. The congregation then joined University Methodist Church. By 1977, they merged. They formed today’s United University Church.
Before the move, First Presbyterian had a massive Austin Organ. In 1967, the organ was de-installed.
First Presbyterian’s influence extended beyond its own walls. By 1885, the church had 2600 members. It established many new churches and Sunday schools. One mission was on Nevada Street. It was in a rapidly growing residential area.
William Chichester was First Presbyterian’s pastor. He felt called to expand the congregation’s reach. In 1888, he took 100 members to the Nevada Street Mission. They organized Immanuel Presbyterian Church.
First Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles faced many challenges. Yet, it played a vital role in the city’s religious and social development. Its legacy lives on. It lives on through the congregations it helped establish. It lives on through its commitment to serving the community.