First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood

Last updated

The First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood is a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation that has had a significant impact on both the Presbyterian Church and evangelical Christianity around the world.

Contents

The First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 2015. First Presbyterian Church (Hollywood).JPG
The First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 2015.

The church was founded in 1903. A large brick gothic sanctuary was built in 1923, and seats 1,800, with a balcony on both sides and in the back. The church campus covers a full square block on Gower Street, one block north of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks from Hollywood and Vine.

History

Front of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, August, 1964. 6408-HollywoodFirstPresbChurch.jpg
Front of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, August, 1964.

1921–1941: Dr. Steward P. MacLennon

Dr. Stewart P. MacLennon pastored the church from 1921 to 1941, and it was through his ministry that the sleepy Hollywood Church turned into a thriving mega-church in the 1920s, with its growth from 651 members in 1920 to 2370 members by 1930. A renowned preacher, he dreamed that it would be a center for Christian education and a "lighthouse" for the Word of God. In 1927 he met Henrietta Mears in Minneapolis and invited her to come and be a full-time Christian Education Director at the church. From 1928 to 1941 they worked together as a ministry team—his preaching and her teaching—developing a nationally known ministry. When he left, the Church called Dr. Louis H. Evans Sr. to be their pastor.

1941–1953: Dr. Louis H. Evans

Dr. Henrietta Mears served as the Christian Education Director from 1928 until her death in 1963. She became famous for growing the Sunday school from 400 to over 4000 in the first two-and-a-half years of ministry at the church. The Sunday school curriculum she created became the foundation for Gospel Light Press. Mears also founded the Forest Home Christian Conference Center in the San Bernardino Mountains. Though perhaps most significantly, Mears is remembered for mentoring over 400 men and women into full-time ministry, including: Richard C. Halverson, F. Dale Bruner, Darrell Guder, Donn Moomaw, Louis Evans Jr., Colleen Townsend Evans, Margaret Kerry, Bill Bright, and she encouraged and counseled Billy Graham.

“Hollywood Pres,” as it is informally known, grew to be the largest Presbyterian Church in the world during the tenure of Dr. Evans and Dr. Lindqust (below).

Dr. Louis H. Evans was senior pastor from 1941 to 1953, during which time the membership grew from 1,400 to its peak of 8,900, according to the church's website. Evans left to become “Minister at Large” [1] for the Presbyterian Board of National Missions.

1953–1971: Dr. Raymond I. Lindquist

Dr. Evans was succeeded by Dr. Raymond I. Lindquist, who served the church until 1971. After declining somewhat, membership was restored to 8,388. During these years, the church drew congregants from an area much larger than the Hollywood community, taking advantage of its access to the Los Angeles freeway system (the church is located one block south of the Gower Street exit from the Hollywood Freeway). In Dr. Lindquist's tenure, overflow congregations were the norm, with the sanctuary filled for Sunday morning services at 9:30 and 11:00. In the early 1960s, overflow congregations were served in the church gymnasium (the pre-1923 sanctuary) by closed-circuit television. Dr. Lindquist died in 2001.

The choir performing during a Sunday morning service, August, 1964 6408-HollywoodFirstPresbChurchChoir.jpg
The choir performing during a Sunday morning service, August, 1964

1971–1997: Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie

Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie became Senior Pastor in 1972. Dr. Ogilvie's ministry extended beyond the physical doors of the church through his successful nationwide televised ministry. His ministry was also of a significant impact to those in the entertainment industry. Dr. Ogilvie left on March 11, 1995, to become Chaplain of the United States Senate. Ogilvie was the second former Hollywood Presbyterian minister to serve in that capacity. Dr. Richard C. Halverson, who was pastor of 4th Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland (a Washington, DC suburb) served as Senate chaplain immediately before Dr. Ogilvie (1981–1994). Halverson had served as an assistant pastor at “Hollywood Pres” in the 1950s. Ogilvie served as Senate chaplain until 2003.

1997–2005: Dr. Alan Meenan

Dr. Ogilvie was followed by Dr. Alan Meenan in 1997. A beguiling Irishman, Dr. Meenan had received a Ph.D degree from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He served the church for eight years during which time members and adherents numbered in excess of 3,000 persons. A long incremental decline in Sunday morning worship attendance was arrested under his tenure and the church entered a new season of growth. Four different Sunday morning services were instituted to reflect contemplative, classic, and contemporary worship styles. Increase in Sunday attendance was complemented by more than 700 people participating in Dr. Meenan's mid-week Bible study course, "The Word Is Out." In 2005, disagreements with the Presbytery of the Pacific caused Dr. Meenan to renounce the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

2005–2010: Interim Period

The church in Hollywood entered a period of upheaval after dissolving its relationship with Dr. Meenan. Two new congregations broke off from the Presbyterian Church (USA) during this time. Ecclesia Church Hollywood grew out of one of FPCH's contemporary services while Church for the Nations met in Glendale, California. The ministry of FPCH continued with Dr. Gary Stratman serving as interim pastor, who brought significant healing to FPCH during this season of upheaval until 2009 when the duties of a dual interim pastorship were filled by Dr. Paul Pierson & Rev. Bill Hansen.

2010–2019: Rev. Daniel Baumgartner

In 2010 Rev. Daniel Baumgartner became the new senior pastor. Commonly referred to as 'Pastor Dan', he previously served as pastor in Seattle and Minneapolis. Pastor Dan was seen by many as the "people's pastor" for his accessible style and warm demeanor. Although FPCH suffered a significant loss in membership following Pastor Meenan's time at FPCH, the interim period brought healing to a divided congregation. The Rev. Baumgartner continued this restorative work until his departure in 2019.

Hollywood Presbyterian has historically been an evangelical church in a liberal Christian denomination. In May 2013, the Session of Hollywood Presbyterian Church voted to affiliate with the Fellowship of Presbyterians, an evangelical group of churches within the PCUSA.

2019–2021: Interim Period

After the Rev. Baumgartner's departure in 2019, the church called Dr. Tim Eichler as the interim pastor. FPCH entered a period of significant decline and staff loss under the leadership of the Session and Dr. Tim Eichler from 2020 to 2021, a decline that was exacerbated by the COVID pandemic.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

Ward Evangelical Presbyterian Church is a church located in Northville Township and Farmington Hills, Michigan, both suburbs of Detroit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard C. Halverson</span> United States Senate chaplain

The Reverend Richard Christian Halverson, D.D., was an American Presbyterian minister and author who served as the chaplain of the United States Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Presbyterian Church (Chattanooga, Tennessee)</span> Historic church in Tennessee, United States

The First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, located at 554 McCallie Avenue, is a historic, downtown congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). It was the first Christian congregation founded in the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martyrs' Church, Aleppo</span>

Martyrs' Church is an Armenian Evangelical Church located in Souleimaniye district of Aleppo, Syria. The origin of the church goes back to 1865, Aintab, Turkey, where the congregation of the first Armenian Evangelical - Kayajik church decided to split into two groups. Those who agreed to move out, started a second church at Hayik quarter of the city. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Kara Krikor Haroutyounian served the church until his death in 1907. Rev. Manaseh Papazian also served as associate pastor from 1892–1907. He was followed by Rev. Bedros Topalian (1907–1912). During those years, the church ran an elementary and intermediate school called Niziblian School. Several pastors took over the leadership of the church until 1921, when all the Armenians of Aintab were forced out of the city as part of the Kemalist government's policy racist policy.

Briarwood Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America located in suburban Birmingham, Alabama.

Henrietta Cornelia Mears was a Christian educator, evangelist, and author who had a significant impact on evangelical Christianity in the 20th century and one of the founders of the National Sunday School Association Best known as the innovative and dynamic Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, California and in charge of the college and young adult people in the mid-1900s, she built a dedicated, enthusiastic staff, trained and mentored her teachers and implemented a graded, age-appropriate curriculum from “cradle roll” to adults. Henrietta lectured and wrote passionately about Sunday school's power to teach others the Bible. Within two years, Sunday School attendance at Hollywood “Pres” was averaging more than 4,200 per week. She served in leading the Sunday School program from 400 to 6500. Henrietta Mears taught the college age program herself. Henrietta Mears was one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th Century. She founded Gospel Light, a publishing company for many of her training materials, Forest Home, a Christian conference center nestled in Forest Falls, California, and "Gospel Literature Internationals (GLINT)"., and profoundly impacted the ministries of Bill Bright and Vonette Zachary Bright, Jim Rayburn and Billy Graham and Louis Evans, Jr. who was the organizing pastor of Bel Air Church and led the congregation of the National Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C., with her emphasis on Scripture and a clear Gospel message for young people. Mears is believed by many theologians to have most directly shaped Bill Bright’s Four Spiritual Laws, which defined modern evangelism in the 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church</span> Church in Florida, U.S.

Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church is a Christian megachurch within the Presbyterian Church in America located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was founded in 1960 by D. James Kennedy (1930–2007), who served as the church's senior pastor until shortly before his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church</span> Church in New York, United States

Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) church in New York City. The church, on Fifth Avenue at 7 West 55th Street in Midtown Manhattan, has approximately 2,200 members and is one of the larger PCUSA congregations. The church, founded in 1808 as the Cedar Street Presbyterian Church, has been at this site since 1875.

Since 1937, the United States presidential inauguration has included one or more prayers given by members of the clergy. Since 1933 an associated prayer service either public or private attended by the president-elect has often taken place on the morning of the day. At times a major public or broadcast prayer service takes place after the main ceremony most recently on the next day.

The International Lutheran Church (ILC), now called the Redeemer International Congregation of the EECMY, is the English-speaking congregation of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) which meets in the Lidetta region of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Although it follows the Lutheran confession and worship, Redeemer welcomes any Christian worshippers.

Pinnacle Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation of more than 1,200 members located in north Scottsdale, Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Kingsport Presbyterian Church</span> Historic church in Tennessee, United States

Old Kingsport Presbyterian Church is an historic church located in Kingsport, Tennessee. The church was organized May 20, 1820 as the Boatyard Congregation. It is the oldest one of any denomination in the city of Kingsport. It is a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westminster Presbyterian Church (Alexandria, Virginia)</span> Church in VA , United States

Westminster Presbyterian Church of Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. located at the corner of Cameron Mills Road and Monticello Boulevard in the city's North Ridge section. Westminster Presbyterian Church is a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Mid-Atlantic Synod and the National Capital Presbytery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First United Presbyterian Church (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan)</span> Historic church in Michigan, United States

First United Presbyterian Church is a historic church at 309 Lyon Street in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bay Ridge United Church</span>

Bay Ridge United Church (BRUC) was located on Bay Ridge Parkway (636) in the Bay Ridge Section of Brooklyn, New York. The congregation was a blend of two churches from two similar but different denominations and was a member of both the Reformed Church in America and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Presbyterian Church (Hattiesburg, Mississippi)</span> Church in Mississippi, United States

First Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian congregation in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, founded in 1882 by Rev. A. B. Coit. It was the first church in the town and predated Hattiesburg's own incorporation by two years. In 1973 it left the Presbyterian Church in the United States to become a charter member of the more theologically conservative Presbyterian Church in America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stone Hill Church of Princeton</span> Nondenominational church in New Jersey, United States

Stone Hill Church of Princeton is a gospel-centered, nondenominational church in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The church was founded in 1956 as Westerly Road Church at the intersection of Westerly and Wilson Roads. In 2013, it constructed a new facility and relocated to 1025 Bunn Drive and changed its name to Stone Hill Church of Princeton. The Rev. Dr. Matthew P. Ristuccia, a member of the Princeton University class of 1975, served as senior pastor from 1985 until his retirement in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Presbyterian Church (Manhattan)</span> Church in New York, United States

Central Presbyterian Church is a historic congregation on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, founded by pastor and abolitionist William Patton in 1821. It is a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and it worships in a Gothic Revival structure completed in 1922 that was originally commissioned and largely funded by John D. Rockefeller Jr. as Park Avenue Baptist Church.

Louis Hadley Evans Jr., was a religious leader. He died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at his home in Fresno, California. Evans was one of four children of Marie Egly and the Rev. Louis Hadley Evans Sr., pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. Louis graduated from Hollywood High School where he was A.S.B. President, before serving in the Navy during WWII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Presbyterian Church (Corpus Christi, Texas)</span>

First Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Church chartered in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1867. The congregation is a member of ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.

References

  1. Time, archived from the original on 22 October 2012

34°06′12″N118°19′20″W / 34.103213°N 118.322193°W / 34.103213; -118.322193