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 More than a hundred years ago here in Los Angeles, the number of Chinese residence was small but the need for fellowship was large. A former missionary, Mrs. A.A. Birdsall got the available Chinese Christians together in a fellowship that found a meeting place at 204 Marchessault Street. This was the year 1887. Three years later the fellowship was organized into a mission. In 1893 the first Chinese minister, Rev. Chan Lok Shang was appointed and the mission was moved to more adequate quarters at 510 ½ North Los Angeles Street.
Rev. Chan's tenure was short and in 1894 the Rev. Chan Hon Fun was appointed. Under his leadership the Mission flourished and found another location at 522½ North Los Angeles Street and was to be the home of the Mission for the next fifty years.
In 1938 Dr. Ernest S. Lyons, a retired missionary from the Philippines was appointed as the pastor, who persuaded Rev. Wun Bew Wong from China as the full time Minister of the Chinese Church in 1943. With the arrival of Rev. Wong and his family, the Chinese Church really came to life and the rented upstairs quarters were inadequate. The church moved to a more accessible location at 618 New High Street, but what the church really needed above all else was a new home the Chinese Church could call its own.
The dream was shared with Dr. Lyons. He in turn discussed the problem with Bishop Baker and Dr. Hole, who agreed to provide financial assistance from the Southern California Conference. Additional funding was provided by Dr. Middleton with both a sizable donation and a loan. A fund raising followed and was given a great impetus with the acquisition of a very desirable lot at 825 North Hill Street.
By April 1947 sufficient funds had been raised to permit the Church to have a ground breaking ceremony and for construction to begin. The first service in the new building was held on Nov 16, 1947. The dreams and hard work of the Rev. Wun Bew Wong and his faithful congregation had come to a perfect fruition. The sanctuary was even more beautiful and inspiring than had been planned. The leadership and influence of Rev. Wong in the community were recognized, and in 1954 was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity by California Western University of San Diego. Additional quarters over the social hall and dining room at the back of the sanctuary were built in early 1969.
Doctor Wong had served the church for 27 years. In June 1968, he was succeed by Rev. Joseph Ma, who served for another eleven years. During the Conference session of 1979, Rev. Leo L. Hsu was appointed to succeed Rev. Ma. Today, the Chinese United Methodist Church at ChinaTown is served by Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. John Wang with the Chinese Speaking Ministry and Associate Pastor David Brewer with the English Speaking Ministry.
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