Picture this. You stand before the Iglesia Del Nazareno a beacon of faith in Los Angeles. This isn’t just any church. It’s the first Hispanic Church of the Nazarene in the United States a landmark of history and devotion.
The Iglesia Del Nazareno’s story begins not in grand cathedrals but in the heart of a woman Maye McReynolds. In the late 1890s she attended a revival led by Phineas Bresee. This event profoundly changed her life leading her to dedicate herself to serving the Spanish-speaking community of Los Angeles. She learned Spanish. Bresee commissioned her. It was 1903. Five years before the Church of the Nazarene was officially established.
McReynolds’s dedication was extraordinary. She became an ordained minister in 1906. She was installed as the pastor of Primera Iglesia del Nazareno. This was officially recognized as the first organized Hispanic church of its kind.
The Iglesia Del Nazareno has seen many names over the years. It was once known as Iglesia del Nazareneo de Lincoln Heights. Today it’s known as Iglesia del Nazareno Camino de Santidad which means Path of Holiness. Its current building boasts a sanctuary holding 110 people an annex with a kitchen and a house all on the same property.
The significance of the Iglesia Del Nazareno extends beyond its walls. It represents the Church of the Nazarene’s expansion into Hispanic communities across the Southwest United States and into Mexico. The church’s enduring legacy is a testament to McReynolds’s unwavering faith and the early Church of the Nazarene’s recognition of her extraordinary missionary work.
In 1911 the 3rd General Assembly officially recognized McReynolds’s importance. They recognized her years of service as Superintendent of Spanish Missions. They seated her as a regular District Superintendent. This reflected her immense impact on the church’s growth and outreach.
So here we stand before the Iglesia Del Nazareno. More than just a building it’s a living testament to faith dedication and the enduring power of a single woman’s vision. It’s a place where history breathes and faith flourishes. It’s a place to remember. A place to reflect. A place to be inspired.