San Jose First United Methodist Church (24 N. Fifth St.) held an exciting event last month. Members, government officials and visitors attended a worship service marking the “grand opening” of the congregation’s new building, which is located directly across from San Jose City Hall.
Several prominent political leaders spoke during the occasion.
• Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren shared memories regarding when her children attended nearby Horace Mann School during its rebuilding. Students came to the church to use its facilities during the school day.
• City Councilman Sam Licardo referred to the church’s history of fiery destruction and invited those in attendance to an afternoon meeting alerting residents to the recent arson incidents in the neighborhood.
The worship service in the new facility was casual; a keyboard, drums, clarinet and guitar provided contemporary music. Separate vocal and hand bell choirs also performed and words to hymns were projected on two large flat screen monitors.
San Jose First UMC was founded in 1847, making it the first Methodist congregation in California. In 1889, a mob burned the church down in reaction to its practice of allowing Chinese students to attend Sunday School. After it was rebuilt at another downtown location, it was again destroyed during the 1906 earthquake.
In 1910, a third edifice was erected at North Fifth and Santa Clara streets. This one featured an imposing dome and remarkable stained glass windows, but in March of 1991 a huge fire caused by an electrical malfunction destroyed it.
The congregation discussed moving away from the troubled downtown area to rebuild, but the majority decided to stay. Then more than two decades of battles ensued: insurance companies trying to deny claims and a redevelopment agency wanting the prime site to be used for other purposes.
Through all of this the church has kept its focus on serving the needs of residents in the surrounding neighborhood.
• A Sunday afternoon worship service (ACTS Community) is held in both Spanish and English, beginning with a meal for participants.
• The Believers in Christ Ministry provides a meal to anyone in need on Sunday afternoons in the church’s parking lot.
• It operates San Jose First Community Services to provide job readiness classes, transportation assistance and other services.
• It developed Vintage Tower Apartments next door for low-income families.
Visitors seeking to attend worship for the first time may have a difficult time finding the church – despite its prominent location – because rather than a traditional church, the exterior resembles a small office building with a white cross on the roof.
During the grand opening tours, guides explained that the new building was designed to be “welcoming, durable, efficient, beautiful, ecologically-sensitive, flexible and useful.”
• An atrium lobby is enclosed in glass allowing those outside to see what is happening inside. It is a gathering place for after-worship coffee and socializing.
• The sanctuary seats 270 with state-of-the-art lighting and audio-visual equipment. Moveable chairs make the space versatile.
• A youth center includes space for table tennis and basketball.
• There is a commercial kitchen.
• Children can be accommodated in three colorful rooms with child-sized furniture and restroom fixtures.
• The second floor includes classrooms, meeting rooms, a chapel, multi-use lobby and office suite.
• A patio on the roof can host barbeques and campfires.
Visitors can be assured of ample free parking on Sunday mornings for anyone who would like to attend worship.
Chuck Flagg is a retired teacher with a passion for religion. Reach him at [email protected].
