Countywide : Church to Celebrate New Look
Nestled between a psychologist’s office and a liquor store, the Brown Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Santa Ana always looked more like a shop than a place of worship.
But on Sunday, up to 250 members from throughout the county are expected to flock to the church for a daylong celebration of the building’s refurbishment, which included the construction of a tall white facade topped by a lighted cross.
The Rev. Eula Montgomery said Friday that the celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Bishop E. Lynn Brown and presiding elder Nathaniel Hashaway will give sermons.
Completed in October, the construction cost about $70,000, which came from donations. “It reminded me too much of a storefront, and I figured the Lord deserved more than that,” Montgomery said.
Church attendance is up.
“They’re so excited about the new attraction,” said Montgomery, “they’re packing us in on Sundays.”
The church, at 2008 S. Flower St., has been open since 1988. Montgomery said there are more than 1,000 Christian Methodist Episcopal members countywide.
Sunday’s services will begin with Hashaway’s sermon, followed with a meal at 2 p.m. and Brown’s sermon at 3 p.m. Choirs will sing throughout the celebration.
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