In January 2025, two United Methodist Churches—Community UMC of Pacific Palisades and Altadena UMC—were burned to the ground in a devastating wildfire. Though only a few miles apart, both shared more than geography: each was founded over a century ago and leaves behind a legacy of deep community involvement.
Community UMC has long been known as “the church that founded Pacific Palisades.” Even the surrounding streets bear the names of early Methodist bishops and missionaries, and the church stood on Via de la Paz—a nod to Methodism’s commitment to peace.
In Altadena, Pastor J. Andre Wilson revitalized a congregation that was on the brink of closure. Over the past decade, he led the church to become a vibrant, primarily Black congregation, making a positive impact on the racial climate of the entire community.
Today, Altadena UMC is meeting in a previously closed Methodist church in San Gabriel that had fallen into disrepair. The Pacific Palisades congregation, meanwhile, is listed as “temporarily closed” and worshiping in various locations. One member, surveying the ruins, said sadly, “There goes the neighborhood.” He added, “They didn’t save the beautiful stained glass window or the metal door. Everything is going to the dump. It’s heartbreaking.”
Tragically, 80% of Pacific Palisades’ members lost their homes. One widow shared that she and her son barely escaped the flames, losing her late husband’s paintings and her beloved vintage violin. Though she hopes to rebuild, she faces mounting insurance battles and unaffordable costs—even with coverage.
In Altadena, residents have protested against the Los Angeles Fire Department, claiming that all available firefighters and equipment were sent to Pacific Palisades. Pastor Wilson recalled trying in vain to fight the growing blaze at his church with a garden hose, never hearing a single siren nearby. Of the 19 people who lost their lives in the Easton and Palisades fires, 18 were in West Altadena. Community members believe this disparity reflects racial prejudice, while authorities have dismissed it as “human error” and poor communication rather than racial bias.
As a longtime member of another “legacy” neighborhood church—La Mesa First United Methodist Church in the San Diego area—I can relate to loss. Although not as severe as losing our church to fire, our congregation has experienced loss to flooding and are still working to rebuild a part of our campus so we can continue to serve as a hub of outreach and hope. Each Sunday our pastor begins worship by saying, “I’m Christian DeMent, pastor of this church and the community.” I cannot imagine the devastation our neighborhood would experience if we were to lose our entire campus.
When I witness the destruction of churches and communities like those in Pacific Palisades and Altadena due climate change, I grieve not only for the people affected but also for the broader inaction of our denomination. The United Methodist Church has been slow to take strong financial steps against the corporations fueling global warming—companies whose actions contribute to the fires, floods, and climate disasters devastating our members and churches alike.
We know the harm caused by fossil fuels, yet the UMC continues to invest millions in these corporations through the denomination’s retirement funds. As we watch homes, lives, and communities consumed by the consequences of climate change, our ongoing “engagement” with these companies rings hollow.
It is time for us to act. I urge all United Methodists to contact Wespath and call for the full divestment from fossil fuel corporations. Our faith demands that we stand for life, justice, and the future of our planet.
Submitted by:
Lois Knowlton, Ed.D.
Former UMC Missionary
Member of Fossil Free UMC
Featured Photo: The January Fires in Los Angeles burned 90 square miles, destroying nearly 20,000 homes and structures including churches. Community United Methodist in Pacific Palisades, pictured here, burned within days of the start of the fire, and 80% of the congregation lost their homes. Photo from CAL_FIRE_official CC BY-NC 2.0
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