The Aldersgate Retreat Center has been a place of retreats and spiritual nourishment for individuals, families, congregations, and organizations since its founding. Due to the recent sale of the property, the Camp and Retreat Ministries of The California-Pacific Annual Conference will host a Decommissioning Service on Sunday, August 22, 2021, at 4:00pm PDT. The service will be held on the hallowed grounds of Aldersgate (925 Haverford Avenue, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272) and will include a worship service, time of sharing memories, and the decommissioning. All are invited to attend. 

The ongoing commitment of the Camp and Retreat Ministry leadership is to move forward with a plan for sustainability and greater connections with local congregations, resources in various contexts, and opportunities for spiritual growth and development. All of the proceeds from the sale of Aldersgate have been dedicated to the future of youth, children, and adult spiritual growth through camping and retreats. When asked about the viability of the immediate plans for the proceeds from the sale, Reverend Jim Powell said, “We wanted to make sure to pass the mantle from Elijah to Elisha (reference to II Kings 2:13) with a moment of giving God praise and praying for wisdom for the future.” The hope of the Camp and Retreat Ministry leaders is that the types of gatherings and learnings experienced at Aldersgate will be possible in more places and will endure far beyond the legacy of what began in downtown Los Angeles in 1892, continued in the Palisades since the 1960’s, and pivots in many directions in 2021.  

To read more about the history of Aldersgate Retreat Center and its placement in the Palisades, see an article that appeared in Palisades News (March 11, 2017). There is also a promotional video from 2011, that features former staff and community users.

For more information about the Decomissioning Service, please contact Rev. James R. Powell, representative of the Camp and Retreat Ministry at pastorjimpowell2@gmail.com.