In 1945, a small group of lay people who had been travelling to the east side of Los Angeles for worship discussed the idea of organizing a new Methodist church which would serve the rapidly growing African-American population on the west side of the city. The early founders included Ulysses S. Griggs, Sr., J.W. Bryant, J.B. Jones, William Page, Ethel Page, Mrs. Charlie Jackson, Nina Lott, Mary Harris, and Chaplain James L. Jones. Early accounts of those first meetings indicate that the people always prayed together for guidance and depended on the presence of the Holy Spirit as they sought to create a new opportunity for the people of God.
On February 11, 1945, this vision became a reality and the first service was held in a Seventh Day Adventist Church on West Thirty-Sixth Place. Reverend James L. Jones, a former U.S. Army chaplain, was appointed as the first interim minister and the church was named Morgan Chapel. During the first two years, services were held in various locations including a dance hall at the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Normandie Avenue. Members also met in a vacated Japanese church until its congregants returned from WWII internment camps. Glen Smiley, Henry Cook, and Ted Evans were among those who served as interim pastors. In April 1945, the church school opened and the Women’s Society of Christian Service began it mission work.
God blessed and guided this fledgling group of committed individuals and the congregation grew in numbers and Christian service. At that time, Dr. Calvin Holman, Superintendent of the Los Angeles District of the Methodist Church was instrumental in officially organizing the church and Morgan Chapel was later re-named Holman.
Still growing and pressing on, the congregation purchased its first permanent building, a former Jewish Synagogue on the Corner of Cimarron Street and Jefferson Boulevard. Reverend Lanneau L. White was appointed as the first permanent pastor of Holman. He and his wife Bernice, and their three sons arrived from the Washington Conference on July 14, 1947.
Under the leadership of Reverend White, the church continued to grow and in 1951 purchased the Pepperdine Estate at 3320 West Adams Boulevard. The membership had grown to nine hundred thirty-eight. The congregation supported a successful building fund drive and in 1958 the award winning sanctuary, designed by architect Kenneth Lind, was completed. In 1965, the Edgar Love Education Building was constructed with Clyde Grimes as the architect. Associate Pastor Edward S. Williams served Holman from 1959 to 1974 focusing on congregational care. A dynamic tradition of excellence in music, programs for youth, community outreach (including the Storehouse), and evangelism flourished. Reverend White remained at Holman for twenty-seven years.
In 1974, Reverend James M. Lawson, Jr. answered the call to assume the leadership role at Holman. The Lawson family, including wife Dorothy and their three sons, arrived in Los Angeles from Tennessee and the faith led journey continued. Pastor Lawson, a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, and an advocate of non-violence, emphasized ministries of peace and social justice, which became cornerstones of Holman’s outreach programs. A major construction undertaking, the Multipurpose Building (later named the James M. Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Building), and multi-level parking structure were completed in 1992. The sanctuary was later retrofitted to meet earthquake standards. The full service campus provided a safe and welcoming place for worship, Christian education, and a variety of outreach programs. After the retirement of Reverend Lawson in 1999, Reverend Paul A. Hill, the Associate Pastor served as Interim Senior Pastor until 2001.
Rev. Dr. Henry L. Masters, Sr. served as senior pastor from 2001 to 2012. A former District Superintendent , Seminary Adjunct Professor and Consultant to the Upper Room, he and his wife Rev. S. Dianna Masters, brought energy and enthusiasm to the work of the church. Dr. Masters, a recognized leader in church growth and innovation encouraged alternative worship services, Disciple Bible Study classes, Jobs for Kids, liturgical dance, H.O.P.E. (HIV/AIDS) Ministry, and other ministries which enabled the members of Holman to help meet the needs of the diverse Los Angeles population. The creation of the Permanent Endowment Fund, which receives gifts and estate property helps perpetuate the life and legacy of Holman’s history and its members.
Rev. Kelvin Sauls and his wife, Rev. Judi Wortham-Sauls provided leadership from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2018. Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Rev. Sauls brought to Holman years of experience in, and passion for, congregational vitalization and community transformation.
Retired Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr. accepted the call to serve as Interim Senior Pastor from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. During the year the members reflected and acted upon the responsibility as the body of Christ to engage in productive stewardship and enhanced congregational care. To engage in meaningful outreach Holman CDC teamed up with Holman UMC to provide opportunities for positive and productive involvement with foster care families and foster care youth in the city of Los Angeles.
Holman was again blessed with Rev. Paul A. Hill who served another term as Interim Senior Pastor. The Holman family continued to gather, pray, and serve, always seeking to be better disciples of Jesus Christ. Through our Nurture, Outreach, and Witness Ministries we continued to herald the message that all are welcome at Holman United Methodist Church.
In August of 2020, Holman welcomed with open arms, Rev. Dr. Ken Walden and his wife, Michelle. Prior to being named Senior Pastor of Holman, Dr. Walden served as the 16th President of Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center located in Atlanta Georgia. Dr. Walden’s extensive experience as a chaplain, administrator, counselor, senior pastor, team leader, teacher, and author have provided a bedrock foundation for his continued faithfulness to God as he leads the people Holman forward. Exploring and creating more strategic partnerships in the city, country, and globally will enhance our ability to become more actively engaged with others through our outreach efforts. Increasing and updating our use of technology is critical as we move forward on the journey. We must build bridges to enhance financial stability. Dr. Walden has a vision for the Holman community. Together, like the Holman pioneers and so many who came after, we, along with Dr. Walden, roll up our sleeves and prepare to do the work of Kingdom building. Holman UMC, the Church of the Bells, continues to be a beacon of light, God’s light in the Los Angeles community and beyond. God is still moving in the life of this congregation. Like our founders, we engage in prayer, study the Word, and invite the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit into our lives. As a people of God, we press on sharing the Good News message as we continue to reach others and fulfill the great commission by inviting people into discipleship with Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.