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1316 Lyndon St. South Pasadena, CA 91030

About South Pasadena Christian Church

If you have faith as a small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Matthew 17:20
South Pasadena Christian Church Sign

About Our Church

South Pasadena Christian Church has a history of over 100 years of ministry. Our mission is to sow and cultivate lives of Christian faith, love and service in the spirit of unity that is foundational to who we are and what we believe.

Our Unique Governance Model

SPCC is a Congregational church that is affiliated with, but not governed by the regional and national Disciples of Christ denomination. Our congregation has a bottom-up style of leadership. All critical decisions, such as calling pastors, constitutional changes, budget and officer election are made by a vote of the adult members of the congregation. The Board of Directors, chosen by the congregation handles the ongoing business of keeping the church running. The Pastor and Elders are in a close mutual accountability relationship on pastoral issues in the church, and report directly to the Board of Directors.

Our History

South Pasadena Christian Church has a history of over 100 years of ministry. In January 1906, Rev. Sumner T. Martin of Ohio held a series of evangelistic meetings at the Mohr Opera House on Center Street in South Pasadena.

Martin was joined by gospel singer J. Walter Wilson, known as “the Singing Evangelist from Indianapolis,” who illustrated his songs using a stereopticon. In February, forty-three members signed the following charter:

Man With A Large Mustache

Sumner T. Martin, Founder

Old Buildings In Black And White

The Mohr Opera House
Located on Center Street (now El Centro)

“We, the undersigned baptized believers in Christ, in order to form a church after the New Testament pattern, do hereby covenant together with God and with each other, to live and labor together according to the teachings of Christ and his apostles. To accomplish this end we promise to contend earnestly for ‘the faith once and for all delivered to the saints’ and thus seek ‘to restore the apostolic church ;in its doctrines, its ordinances, and its fruits.’ We take this step in firm reliance on the blessing of our Heavenly Father, and in earnest prayer that His wisdom may guide us into all Christian truth and growth, and give us the deep joy of seeing many souls turn to the Lord.”

For two years, the congregation met in a room on the second floor of the Alexander Building on Mission Street. Alexander R. Graham who constructed the building was a member of the church and allowed the church to use two rooms at this site. In 1908, Graham gifted the church with a small lot at the corner of Oxley and Fairview Streets. However, with a grant from industrialist Andrew Carnegie, the city bought the land from the church. The church then purchased a lot at the corner of Lyndon and Fremont Streets. On August 24, 1908, South Pasadena Christian Church was formally incorporated with approximately 100 active members.

By 1910, the church built a small brown bungalow that was used as a sanctuary. This bungalow served the congregation for nearly sixty years until rapid growth during the 1960s forced the church to expand. The new sanctuary was erected in April 1963 and is still used today. The old bungalow was used to hold Sunday school classes until 1969 when it was demolished for the new Edna Gish Educational Building. This building is named after missionary and former associate minister Edna Gish, who served the church for eight years.

Vintage Building

Original Bungalow/Sanctuary
Although the old bungalow no longer exists, its wooden cross was preserved. It serves as a reminder of our church’s history and can be seen alongside the Lyndon Street entrance to the church.

The Preamble for the Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)

As members of the Christian Church, we confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim Him Lord and Savior of the world.

In Christ’s name and by His grace we accept our mission of witness and service to all people.

We rejoice in God, maker of heaven and earth, and in God’s covenant of love which binds us to God and to one another.

Through baptism into Christ we enter into newness of life and are made one with the whole people of God.

In the communion of the Holy Spirit we are joined together in discipleship and in obedience to Christ.

At the Table of the Lord we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ.

Within the universal church we receive the gift of ministry and the light of scripture.

In the bonds of Christian faith, we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the One whose Kingdom has no end.

Blessing, glory, and honor be to God forever. Amen

What We Believe

We are called to be one in Christ and work together to show God’s love through our witness and service. We hear a special calling to make visible the unity of Christians. In our diversity, we belong to one another because we are one in Christ.

Belief in the oneness of the church
We are called to be one in Christ and work together to show God’s love through our witness and service. We hear a special calling to make visible the unity of Christians. In our diversity, we belong to one another because we are one in Christ.
Open Communion
The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is celebrated in weekly worship. It is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Freedom of belief
Disciples are called together around belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Persons are free to follow their consciences guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit, study and prayer, and are expected to extend that freedom to others. We hold the centrality of scripture, recognizing that each person has the freedom – and the responsibility – to study God’s Word within the community of the church.
Baptism
In baptism, the old self-centered life is set aside, and a new life of trust in God begins. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion, other baptism traditions are acknowledged and respected.
The ministry of all believers
Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship, service and spiritual growth. We affirm the priesthood of all believers, rejoicing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which includes the gift of leadership that God has given for the common good.

Building Your Faith

Our members care for each other, have opportunities to grow and learn together, and find ways to edify one another in our collective journey with the Lord. We encourage a diverse community in which everyone is welcomed and cared for.

English Bible Study

Each week on Thursday nights beginning at 7pm we have our Bible study for English speakers. In this exciting and instructive setting, we are on a journey through the entire Bible. All are welcome to join us for this time of spiritual growth and fellowship.

Chinese and English Bible Study

Each week on Friday nights beginning at 6:30pm we have our Chinese and English speakers Bible study. In this study, the English speakers learn Chinese and the Chinese speakers learn English as the journey through the Bible together.

Sermon Archives

Looking for inspiration? Looking to grow in your faith? Did you hear about a great sermon that you missed out on OR need to revisit a sermon that sparked your curiosity OR have a desire to dig deeper? Check out our FaceBook to watch our livestreams.

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