Echo Park United Methodist Church

100 years of Service to God and Community

In 1906 the Rev. Morris B. Alton was appointed as the first Minister of the newly organized Echo Park Methodist Episcopal Church. The work of organizing a new church had begun in 1903, when a small group of people met for prayer in a tiny house located just east of where Echo Park United Methodist Church now stands. As the group grew, they moved their meeting place to the Echo Apartments on Sunset Boulevard. In 1904, Rev. P. H. Bodkin was assigned to organize the eleven members of that group into the Echo Park Methodist Episcopal Church. (At that same time, he also organized the Edendale Methodist Episcopal Church on Glendale Boulevard at Effie Street.) In 1907, the Los Angeles Missionary Society bought a lot partly up the hill on Reservoir Street. On that lot was where Rev. Walton and the Church members built a thirty-by-thirty-foot building. A lean-to which served as the Pastor's quarters was built on the east side of the building. A few years later, another lean-to was added to the west side of the building. This was the Church building until 1924 when the congregation moved to its present site. On December 9, 1912, Echo Park Methodist Episcopal Church was granted a charter by the State of California.

In 1920, Rev. W. A. Botkin was appointed Pastor. In 1921, after much prayer and planning, the two lots on which the present Church is situated were bought. The cornerstone was laid in May,1923. The cost of constructing the building was about forty five thousand dollars. The Church building was dedicated in January, 1924.

Between 1923 and 1928, the Edendale Methodist Episcopal Church, the Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church (which began congregating in 1887 on Sunset Boulevard and Centennial Street), and the Elysian Gardens Methodist Episcopal Church, all united with Echo Park Methodist Episcopal Church.

During the 1930's, much of the architectural ornament on the exterior of the Church was removed in response to the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake, thus giving our Church its present appearance.

During the 1940's, as with other Churches throughout the nation, we here at Echo Park were part of the homefront during the war, saying our prayers and longing for the safe return of loved ones who were away in the service of our country. Ultimately, we said prayers of thanksgiving in union with all the people who were weary of war.

In 1956, during the pastorate of Rev. Paul R. Woudenberg, major repairs were made to the building. At this time, the interior stairs from the first floor to the basement were installed. Prior to this, basement access was only from the outside. Many of the leaders of our church came to us through the youth ministry organized by Rev. Woudenberg.

The church was shepherded through the 60s under the able and dedicated leadership of Rev. Victor Hand (1961), Rev. Dan Kennedy (1965), and Rev. Michael Winstead (1966). During this period the church developed a sister church relationship with Pleasant Hills Baptist, and together worked to overcome the barriers of racism with the love of Christ.

The immigration of many Pilipino families into the neighborhood during the 1970s brought many wonderful people into our congregation, contributing greatly to the vitality of our church. We continue to be blessed by a strong Pilipino presence within our diverse congregation. Under the leadership of Rev. Burley Howe (1969) and dedicated lay leaders, the 70s saw growth in our community outreach through programs such as the Indian Actors Workshop under the leadership of Jay Silverheels, English as Second Language Classes, a tutoring program, a Senior Meals Program and others. Rev. Bill Miller brought his extensive experience in urban ministry in San Francisco when he was appointed here in 1979 and continued the church's emphasis on community outreach.

1980 saw the formation of The Basement Coffee House, an outreach to artists and musicians. It was founded by Tim Isbell, and continued strong under the leadership of Mark Phillips for almost two decades.

In 1982, our current Senior Pastor, Rev. David K. Farley, was assigned to Echo Park United Methodist Church at a time when our church sought to be a place of sanctuary, solidarity and ministry for the growing Central American population displaced by war in their homelands. Under Pastor Farley’s leadership, guidance and encouragement, our Hispanic ministry began in 1986. This vital ministry was started by Mrs. (now Rev.) Miriam Escorcia. She was followed by Rev. Jose Luis Palacios, Rev. Ivan Sevillano, and then, by our current Associate Pastor Abraham Gutierrez.

1986 was also the year that brought us the Native American Caring Center. We shared in ministry with them until the late 90s when they moved their ministry to the Indian Center on 6th Street.

In 1993, Echo Park Summer Kids Club was formed as a joint venture by our Church, the City of Los Angeles Summer Youth Employment Program, and the Central City Action Committee. Its purpose is to provide activities, field trips, learning opportunities and fellowship for the children of our neighborhood. It also offers employment and training to the youth of the neighborhood. This is now our own program through which we have provided a program of enrichment for the children of the neighborhood for over a decade.

One of the wonderful events of our more recent history was the arrival of so many of the members of the English congregation of Los Feliz United Methodist Church which was discontinued in 1995. Our Church has been blessed and renewed by these dedicated people of faith.

Echo Park United Methodist Church entered the 21st century as a culturally diverse neighborhood church that serves as a vibrant Center for Community services, forums and activism, as well as the home of a caring community of faith. We have continued to strengthen our ministry through the establishment of the Echo Park Neighborhood Empowerment Project founded under the leadership of our beloved Marian McClellan in 1996, the Abot Kamay Pilipino Fellowship in 2002 which continues strong under the leadership of Ernest Maddela, and our Ministerio de Liberacion begun in 2003 under the leadership of Abraham Gutierrez to serve as the social justice arm of our Hispanic Ministry.

We continue to be a church in transition in a neighborhood in transition. We face many challenges ahead but we are filled with hope for the future because we continually experience the miraculous power of the living Christ in our midst moving us to reach out to our diverse neighborhood in the Wesleyan Spirit saying, "If your heart is as my heart give me your hand."

Much of the information for this history was taken from previous histories

written by Mildred Hild, Robert William Gowdy, and Joe Calciana.

We wish to express our gratitude to all who have shared their time,

information and experiences in the preparation of this history.

Thank you and may God bless you.

Phillip Radtke

Church Historian

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