In 1968, twelve gay men and lesbians met in the light of day to
worship God openly. Rev. Troy D. Perry founded the Metropolitan
Community Church of Los Angeles, the first congregation of our
movement. MCC Los Angeles has gone through more than its share of
trials throughout the years. In the early years, it was frequently
forced to move to new locations, as landlords discovered who they
were. In 1973, a fire of suspicious origin burned the church to the
ground. In 1994, just after extensive renovations had been completed,
their building was destroyed by the devastating Northridge earthquake.
The Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles is currently led by
Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, who recently celebrated her 10th year as
their Senior Pastor. MCCLA has long been recognized for its role in
nurturing and developing organizations in the gay and lesbian
community. It has always believed that the future of the gay and
lesbian community is dependent on the wholeness and health of its
spiritual, cultural, and educational institutions.
Its members have participating in founding, and have provided
leadership, volunteer support, and financial support to scores of
organizations including Christopher Street West, Caring for Babies
With AIDS, the Free Spirit Metropolitan Community Church prison
ministry at the California Institute for Women, Unity Fellowship,
and Temple Beth Chayim Chadashim, a synagogue for gay men and lesbians.
This tradition continues today.
· The Los Angeles Unified School District conducts special schools for
children at risk for dropping out of high school for various reasons.
Eagles Center is a school for gay and lesbian youth, that has been
housed by the Metropolitan Community Church since May 1993. The school
district pays for the teachers' salaries and the materials, but these
special schools must secure their own space, free of charge, from
community organizations. Sixty students presently study at Eagles
Center. Some kids live at home; others are runaways who live in group
homes; some are HIV-positive; all have special needs, especially
needing a safe environment in which to go to high school. All of the
students have experienced physical and emotional violence within
traditional schools. During the years that MCCLA has housed the
school, Eagles Center has provided a safe, abuse-free environment in
which these children have been able to develop their full potential.