“Core-level homophobia” plagued the Presbyterian Church. That is why West Hollywood Presbyterian Church decided to leave. It became a pioneer by being the first to leave for that reason.
West Hollywood Presbyterian Church has a rich history. It championed LGBTQ+ rights long before the national movement. In 1965, it established Los Angeles’ first gay men’s rap group.
In 1977, the church launched the Lazarus Project. This initiative sent gay and lesbian members to Presbyterian churches. They shared their stories of faith when the denomination considered deeming homosexuality “not God’s wish”.
West Hollywood Presbyterian Church made history by hiring an openly gay pastor. This happened 27 years before the Presbyterian Constitution allowed it. The Rev. Daniel Smith is still West Hollywood’s pastor.
Hundreds of congregations left the Presbyterian Church due to strict interpretations of Scripture. West Hollywood Presbyterian Church left for the opposite reason. They cited homophobia. In 2012, they joined the United Church of Christ. This denomination ordained its first openly gay minister in 1972.
Even progressive members found the departure troubling. A year prior, the church lifted its ban on gay and lesbian ministers. They were also set to vote on same-sex marriage that summer. The outcome was uncertain.
Rev. Maria La Sala of Yale Divinity School understood the decision. She stated the denomination was still hostile to gay and lesbian folks.
Rev. Chris Glaser, founder of the Lazarus Project, lamented the departure. He hoped the church would remain Presbyterian. Glaser concluded they were tired of fighting.
West Hollywood Presbyterian Church’s departure was years in the making. It ministered to middle-class residents working in entertainment during its early years. Around 1950, the area attracted immigrants. White families left and church attendance declined.
Rev. Ross Greek, Smith’s predecessor, started programs to address racial tensions. He launched the Mary Magdalene Project to minister to prostitutes. The church offered sanctuary to Vietnam War protesters. The gay men’s rap group led to a worship service for gay men.
In 1984, Smith became the first openly gay pastor to serve a Presbyterian Church. He was able to remain in the church. Progressive congregations formed the More Light Churches. They advocated for the ordination of gays and lesbians. In 1985, the church prohibited More Light congregations from publicly defying doctrine.
West Hollywood Presbyterian hosted the kickoff meeting of the More Light Church Network. It was the first time the church considered leaving.
In 2008, two women sought to have their relationship blessed. Lisa Bove had been an associate pastor at West Hollywood. She headed the church’s HIV/AIDS ministry. Other churches tried to stop the ceremony. The event proceeded but caused the couple distress.
When Smith faced charges, an elder jokingly suggested leaving the Presbyterian Church upon his retirement. This marked a shift from “if” to “when” regarding departure.
The Presbytery of the Pacific proposed “A Way Forward”. It aimed to unite the presbytery despite differing views on sexual orientation. The plan divided churches into those welcoming gays and lesbians and those not. The measure failed. A gracious dismissal policy passed. It allowed churches to leave if they could not remain due to the change in ordination standards.
Conservative churches were expected to leave but stayed. West Hollywood Presbyterian Church was the one that left. Parishioners voted to split and retain Smith as pastor. The Presbytery approved the departure. The United Church of Christ accepted them.
On May 13, West Hollywood United Church of Christ was born. Smith described the celebration as “fabulous”. He said they talked about being reborn.
West Hollywood Presbyterian Church stands as a beacon of inclusivity. It championed LGBTQ+ rights and progressive values. Its legacy continues through the United Church of Christ.