The Downey Patriot

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Faith in Downey: Downey United Methodist Church/Downey Memorial Christian Church

DOWNEY--Some of Downey’s oldest churches – First Baptist Church of Downey and Our Lady of Perpetual Help – are in good company.

According to Richard Daggett, Downey United Methodist Church Historian, Downey United Methodist Church has been around since 1854.

“The History of Southern Methodism on the Pacific Coast” – a book written by Rev. J.C. Simmons D.D. of the Pacific Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South – tells of pioneer Methodists from the South who met in their homes in the Los Nietos Valley for weekly prayer meetings. The book goes on to say that a “class” of 16 members applied for a minister to be sent to them in 1854. Rev. J.F. Blythe later visited the group, preaching numerous times and formally organizing the Methodist class.

At the time, the church was called the Los Nietos Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

In 1869, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South founded the Los Nietos Collegiate Institute, intended to educate children and youth from primary grades through college. The school, which also served as the church’s meeting place, was one of the first Protestant colleges in Southern California and was located on the corner of College Avenue (now Paramount Boulevard) and Alameda Street. One of the school’s early teachers was Rev. E.C. Knott, father of Walter Knott of Knott’s Berry Farm.

In 1877, a new structure was built across the street from the school, serving as the new church. Then in 1891, the church was relocated to the corner of Dolan and Second Streets, moving closer to a more populated area.

Finally, in 1922, a lot bounded by Fifth Street, New Street and Crawford Street (now Downey Avenue), was chosen to serve as the church’s new location.

While the church was moving from place to place, numerous name changes took place as well. After moving into Downey, the Los Nietos Methodist Episcopal Church, South became the Downey Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1939, following the merging of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the Methodist Protestant Church, the church became the Downey Methodist Church. Their present name – Downey United Methodist Church – resulted from the union of the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Church in 1968.

According to umc.org, United Methodists share the following basic affirmations in common with all Christian communities:

• Describe God in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• Believe in one God, who created the world and all that is in it

• Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and that the risen Christ lives today

• Believe that the Holy Spirit comforts us when we are in need and convicts us when we stray from God

• Believe that humans can choose to accept or reject a relationship with God

• Believe that the church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today

• Believe that the Bible is God’s Word – primary authority for our faith and practice

• Believe that the kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope

• Believe that Baptism is a symbol of new life and a sign of God’s love and forgiveness of our sins

• Believe the Lord’s Supper is a holy meal of bread and wine that symbolizes the body and blood of Christ – recalling the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and celebrating the unity of all members of God’s family

United Methodists also emphasize “practical divinity,” a term coined by John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement. Information on Wesley and “practical divinity” can be found on www.umc.org.

In addition, Rev. Michael Bankhead of Downey United Methodist Church says the church is a “liturgical” church, practicing advent, lint, Pentecost and more.

Over 125 people currently make up the church’s congregation, 25 of which are children. Ministries offered include the Children’s Ministry, the Family and Youth Ministry, and the Hispanic Ministry. Worship services are held on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m.

“We are a very family-based church,” said Rev. Bankhead. “We strive not only to be intercultural, but also intergenerational.”

Likewise, Downey Memorial Christian Church strives for the same.

“We look for ways in which we can connect with the community cross-culturally and generationally,” said Dr. Richard Kurrasch, senior minister of Downey Memorial Christian Church.

Downey Memorial Christian Church was established in Downey in 1958. Their 50th Anniversary will be celebrated in May of next year, concluding a yearlong Jubilee Celebration.

The church’s denominational affiliation is with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

According to Kurrasch, the church is one of 11 mainline Protestant denominations, which include the United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Episcopal Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and six others.

The Disciples of Christ website, www.disciples.org, states that like most Christians, the Disciples affirm Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God and that all persons are God’s children.

Other beliefs and practices usually associated with the Disciples include:

• Open Communion – The Lord’s Supper is celebrated in weekly worship and is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ.

• Freedom of Belief – Disciples are called together around one essential of faith: 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.

• Baptism by Immersion – 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 honored.

• Belief in the Oneness of the Church – All Christians are called to be one in Christ and to seek opportunities for common witness and service.

• The Ministry of Believers – Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship. Service and spiritual growth

In addition, Downey Memorial Christian Church sees itself as a Progressive church, committed strongly to the social dimension of the Gospel and talking openly about peace and justice issues. The church does not have a creed with a statement of faith or doctrinal test for membership.

Currently, over 100 people make up the church’s congregation, with approximately 50 people in attendance on a Sunday morning. The church also shares its campus with two other Disciples of Christ congregations: Familia de Fe Cristiana and Iglesia Unida en Cristo. Worship services are held on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. for Downey Memorial Christian Church and Familia de Fe Cristiana, and Sundays at 4 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. for Iglesia Unido en Cristo.