This year marks a significant milestone—the 170th anniversary of Presbyterian ministry in Los Angeles. Our journey began in 1854 when Rev. James Woods arrived from San Francisco with a vision to plant a church in a burgeoning frontier town of around 5,000 residents. First Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles was organized with 12 members and two elders. Although the church faced serious difficulties, Rev. Wood’s pioneering spirit laid the foundation for what would become a vibrant and enduring Presbyterian presence in our city.

 

By 1873, the Los Angeles Presbytery was officially constituted, overseeing six churches that spanned from San Diego to Santa Barbara. This early expansion paralleled the rapid development of the city itself, fueled by new railroads and economic opportunities.

 

The 20th century saw our denomination flourish alongside Los Angeles’ rise as a global metropolis. By 1967, the Presbytery of Los Angeles had over 200 congregations with approximately 165,000 members across Southern California. Our churches played pivotal roles in social justice movements, notably that of congregations like Pasadena Presbyterian Church’s advocacy for civil rights under the leadership of Rev. Eugene Carson Blake. Other Presbyterians, such as Henrietta Mears have played a significant role in cultivating new generations of disciples. As the Christian Education Director at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood from 1928 to 1963, Mears expanded the Sunday school from 400 to over 4,000 members and shaped many future Christian leaders on both national and international stages.

 

Today, our legacy is embodied in vibrant congregations that reflect the city’s multicultural nature. As we celebrate 170 years of Presbyterian presence in Los Angeles, we honor the faithful witness of those who came before us and the ongoing commitment to sharing the Christ’s message in word and deed.