170 Years of Presbyterianism in Los Angeles

Resonate Media

A six-part show about the history of Presbyterianism in Los Angeles, brought to you by the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii, PC (U.S.A.).

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Episodes

Ministry Today

In this final episode, we explore Presbyterian witness in Los Angeles today. We’ll look at how Presbyterians are finding new ways to worship and serve, from the rise of New Worshiping Communities to bold acts of justice like the church returning land to its original, indigenous caretakers. Through the voices of today’s leaders and laborers, we’ll hear how Presbyterians are living out their faith in Los Angeles right now—what their churches are doing in their communities, why they remain committe...

Dec 10, 2025•37 min•Ep. 6

Diversity and Difference

In this fifth episode, we turn to the 1990s and early 2000s. These were years when many congregations began to see that faith in Los Angeles could not be expressed through a single culture or voice. Korean, Filipino, Taiwanese, Chinese, Latino, and Anglo churches increasingly learned to share space and leadership. This episode especially attends to the growth and influence of Hispanic ministries as well as the long and often painful debates around LGBTQ inclusion. Today’s show is brought to you ...

Dec 03, 2025•32 min•Ep. 5

Reunions and Realignments

In this fourth episode, we focus on the 1970s and 80s—decades that involve both reunification and realignment for the Presbyterian church as it matures into the last half of the 20th century. We’ll follow how the denomination wrestled with change: new immigrant congregations, inner-city outreach, and identity formation in a shifting cityscape. We’ll pay special attention to Korean American Presbyterian churches, but also see how others responded to a city in flux. Today’s show is brought to you ...

Nov 26, 2025•24 min•Ep. 4

Change and Civil Rights

In this third episode, we step into the mid-twentieth century—a period of change, conflict, and courage. We’ll see how Presbyterians expanded into new suburbs after World War II, how the PCUSA began to ordain women, and how leaders like Reverend James E. Jones of Westminster Presbyterian gave voice to faith seeking justice. Today’s show is brought to you by the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This episode is produced by Resonate Purpose, in associatio...

Nov 19, 2025•27 min•Ep. 3

Expansion and War Time

In this second episode, Los Angeles is growing up in the early 1900s. The 115th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America is held here, a new union with the Cumberland Church is formed, and important outreaches to immigrants are taking place. But in the midst of World War 2, a Japanese congregation is torn apart and will never be the same again. We also see why Occidental College parted ways with the Presbyterians and we spotlight one of the greatest Sunday Scho...

Nov 12, 2025•34 min•Ep. 2

Foundations in a Frontier Town

This first episode of the series looks back to Los Angeles when it was little more than a rough frontier town. We trace the first attempts at Presbyterian ministry in a place where pastors rarely stayed more than a couple of years, congregations struggled to survive, and disputes sometimes caused as much trouble as progress. Even so, the Presbyterian witness refused to disappear. Out of repeated failure came fresh starts, new leadership, and eventually the founding of institutions like Occidenta...

Nov 05, 2025•28 min•Ep. 1

Trailer

This podcast traces 170 years of Presbyterian life in Los Angeles in six episodes, from the city’s first Protestant congregations in the 1850s to today’s multilingual, multiethnic churches. It follows stories of faith shaped by war, migration, neighborhood change, urban struggle, and cultural renewal. Across the decades, Presbyterians in L.A. have started new ministries, responded to social crises, and reimagined what it means to be a church in one of the most diverse cities in the world.

Oct 30, 2025•1 min•Ep. 1

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