Our History

Our church was originally established in Gardena in 1959 by the Methodist Church to serve the spiritual needs of Japanese American families, many of whom had returned or resettled in Southern California after incarceration in WWII internment camps and were not integrating into area Christian congregations.

Over the years, our membership has increased in diversity, aided by a merger with First United Methodist Church of Gardena. We also have a Japanese language division that joins the English language congregation on special occasions.

Now located in Torrance, God has led our congregation on a journey to our current home on 182nd Street.

Services, events, and community outreach activities regularly incorporate elements of cultures of Japan, Asia, and Hawaii, where many of our members have ties. In 2018, Faith UMC became a reconciling ministry.

Our congregation is intergenerational, with longstanding programs for children and families including scouting and small groups, up to a vibrant ministry for seniors. Programming also evolves as our spiritual and fellowship needs change over time.

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        Year
        Timeline Events
    
        1959
        Rev. Peter Chen was appointed to organize and establish a church in the Gardena area under the direction of the Japanese Provisional Conference of the Methodist Church. This new church was to serve the spiritual needs of a growing Japanese American population in the area.
    
        1960
        Gardena Community Methodist Church is founded by Rev. Chen and 44 members on May 15, ending the year with 99 charter members.  Worship services were relocated from Hollypark Methodist Church to the Spanish American Institute.
    
        1962
        Groundbreaking was held for the future North Gardena Methodist Church on February 22 at the site on Rosecrans Avenue near Normandie Avenue on February 22. The new education and multipurpose building was consecrated on August 5.
    
        1968
        On February 2, the new Sanctuary of North Gardena United Methodist Church  was consecrated by Bishop Gerald Kennedy and District Superintendent Melvin Talbert.
    
        1978
        The Japanese language ministry was started by Rev. Bob Hoshibata (now Bishop Hoshibata).
    
        1994
        North Gardena UMC sold the church building to search for a location more central to the Japanese American demographic. 
    
        1997
        The first worship service of Faith United Methodist Church was officiated by Bishop Roy I. Sano on June 29. The new location on 182nd Street in Torrance was extensively renovated from its former configuration as a Machinists Union office building.
    
        2000
        The duplex next to the main building was purchased and named the Peter Chen Annex. Over the years this annex has served various uses including the Sunday service nursery, music ministry practice areas and music director's office, youth worship and activities, scouting equipment storage, committee meeting space, crafting ministry storage, church fundraisers, and more.
    
        2005
        Faith UMC welcomed members of Gardena First UMC, which brought its own history of more than 100 years, in a merger that has been blessing that continues to this day.
    
        2020
        Worship services expand beyond our church building, as services begin to be regularly streamed on YouTube and Facebook. Now that we are back in person, streaming continues to be an option for anyone who wants to join us online!