History
146
Years of faith,
history and legacy
We are the oldest German speaking congregation in the Southwest and still vibrant.
Our beginnings, as so many in California, are at the time of the Gold Rush. But, obviously, our values are more enduring. We adhere to the words of Apostle Paul, “Silver and gold I have not, but what I have I will give to you.”
The original church was first built on Spring Street (between 4th and 5th Streets) in Downtown Los Angeles. Dr. Carl Zahn built a private home with a hall for worship service.
An Abridged History
1876 - Pastor Gottlieb Bollinger organized the first German speaking Methodist Church.
1879 - The second church was dedicated, located on Fourth Street.
1910 - The third church was planned and built in 1910. On June 12, 1910, the Los Angeles Times printed a sketch of the new church of the German Methodists, located on Olive Street, between 4th and 5th Streets.
1997–Present - The current home of First German UMC/Christuskirche is quite an unusual architectural site in Glendale. It was completed in 1997.
Previous
Next