Photos by Stephen Hale, Capital Hope Productions
Written by Alyssa Fisher
Sunday, September 8, 2024 was a homecoming and reunion at Downey United Methodist Church, as it celebrated its 170th anniversary. Local politicians, former pastors, and congregants from the present and past gathered in the pews on Sunday, sharing their memories of Downey UMC at the center of their community. Mayor Mario Trujillo shared that his own children attended preschool at the church, and described it as a physical and emotional “pillar in our community.”
The worship service featured presentations of declarations and recognition from not only the mayor but also Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, and representatives of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Congressman Robert Garcia, and Senator Bob Archuleta. Cal-Pac West District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Sioaia Tu’itahi welcomed those in attendance and called us to worship. Local musicians Catherin Del Russo (oboe) and Robert Matsuda (violin) joined the church’s organist, Jeremy Gilien, for several special music selections during the celebration.
Assemblymember Pacheco expanded on the community service theme, sharing that the church is known in the city for expanding opportunities, equity, and justice through hosting the second oldest Boy Scout Troop in Southern California and an annual Christmas Concert. The church has a long history of supporting education in the community, supporting the founding of the University of Southern California, and having a long-standing preschool onsite. Local attendees shared memories of Eagle Scout ceremonies, and serving in various capacities at the church throughout their lives including stories of acolytes, A/V techs, and worship leaders.
After the service, several tables displayed items from the church archives. The display included a Book of Discipline from the United Methodist South from 1887, a copy of the Daily Christian Advocate from the unification conference in April 1939, and church directories dating back to the 1940s. Even in these objects, the church’s community efforts were evident: recipe books, coffee cups from the “Higher Grounds Coffee Shop” onsite in the 1990s, a co-op bookstore stand, and of course photos from the preschool showed that Downey UMC’s first order of business has always been to spread its blessings to its home city.
As Rev. Brad Biggerstaff reflected on this history in his sermon, he shared a bit about what he’d learned about the church since becoming its pastor just over a year ago. Saying, “I am proud of this church. I am proud to be its pastor and of the generous hearts of this church,” he shared that this year, Downey UMC embarked on a process to identify ways to serve the needs of the community while also meeting the changing needs of the church. Biggerstaff recognized a need to “continue to provide stability for the congregation while serving the community of Downey.”
The answer was found in the church’s property in the heart of downtown Downey. So, in the midst of celebrating 170 years as a congregation, Downey UMC announced its intentions to build affordable housing for families on the land. Reimagining use for the nearly two acres will allow for a multi-functional campus that can serve the emerging needs of Downey, adding around 100 units of affordable housing while continuing to provide ministry to the congregation, to have and support the preschool, and to have onsite parking for those using the campus.
The process is just beginning, but as one church member shared with Pastor Brad: “There is nothing more methodist than meeting this housing need.” In this way, Downey UMC hopes to share many more community homecomings for decades to come.
