Members celebrate 50 years of worship at La Cañada United Methodist Church

In 1964, La Cañada United Methodist Church began with little more than a fold-up pulpit and a supply trailer that made weekly appearances at Paradise Canyon Elementary School, recalls founding pastor John Knox.

“We met there, and it went wonderfully,” Knox says. “We’d pull the trailer up to the school, and we had an old pulpit all folded up with hinges that we’d set up on the court. During the silent prayer time, you could hear the coffee pot in the background going bloop, bloop, bloop.

“I sort of capitalized on that saying the Holy Spirit was talking to us,” he chuckles.

Today, with about 120 active members, La Cañada United Methodist celebrates 50 years of service. Knox, along with other former pastors and church members, will take part in a jubilee celebration Sunday morning to mark the occasion.

Beginning with a 10:30 a.m. worship service by Pastor Elaine Cho, the event includes an appearance by Bishop Minerva Carcaño, leader of the Southern California, Hawaii, Guam and Saipan United Methodist Conference and the first Hispanic female to be elected bishop by the church.

Afterward, participants will convene for a noon luncheon and will be encouraged to share their favorite stories and memories from the church.

“We’re expecting a lot of old members and guests to come, so that will give everybody a chance to connect with each other,” Cho says.

With 20 years in the ministry, mostly pastoring at mega churches, Cho was appointed to serve La Cañada in 2011. She says she admires the close-knit nature of the parish.

“I really appreciate the size of the church and the intimacy we have with one another through Christ,” she says. “This is a very loving community.”

PHOTOS: Church gears up for 50th anniversary celebration

One product of that community is Heidi Moreno, a lifelong member of the church who now lives in La Crescenta. Moreno plans to attend Sunday’s event to pay homage to the church that so lovingly provided a framework for her spiritual life.

From teaching Sunday school, which prepared her for earning her teaching credential, to fall family getaways and mission trips, Moreno says La Cañada United Methodist played a big role in her life. That’s something she hopes her daughter, Grace, also experiences.

“LCUMC continues to be my extended family, and a guide to me on my Christian walk,” she said. “Fifty years is impressive, and I am glad we can be there to honor this landmark.”

Knox, who oversaw the building of the church before being appointed to Hawaii to start the building of another community, retired from the ministry 15 years ago but has had occasion to visit the La Cañada parish he helped create.

“The people there are enthusiastic and hardworking and really good people,” Knox says. “It’s a really good fellowship.”