A BRIEF HISTORY of FIRST CHURCH
First Congregational Church of Los Angeles has its heritage in New England, where the denomination was founded. Our Congregational ancestors were those English Separatists (later known as Pilgrims) who in 1620 sailed the Mayflower to these shores in search of civil and religious freedom.
First Congregational Church of Los Angeles was founded in 1867, when the First Congregational Society first met in the parlor of Amanda Scott. In its long history, the congregation has occupied five buildings, from the first meetinghouse on New High Street to the present edifice, which was modeled on the great cathedrals of Europe and completed in 1932. Among its noted ministers were Lloyd C. Douglas (author of The Robe and other novels) and James W. Fifield, Jr.
The church serves a diverse urban population and is committed to providing opportunities for people to relate modern life to the God of Scriptures. First Church is known in the community for its music programs, the Pilgrim School, and Cedar Lake Camp in Big Bear.
