San Francisco Japantown Task Force

DATA SHEET

Place/Event: Christ United Presbyterian Church

Address: 1700 Sutter St., San Francisco

Description:

Christ United Presbyterian Church is a member of the Presbytery of San Francisco of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Japanese American Religious Federation (JARF) in Japantown. The church built and moved into its present site in 1975 after forced removal of the old site by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency. The church with Japanese American, Japanese-speaking, Asian, White, and multi-racial members, holds bilingual Sunday worship service and fellowship hour. It also holds church-wide gatherings and events, youth activities, bible studies, and adult study forums. Since 1976, it has conducted Summer Camp for children. As a monthly service project, members visit the California Convalescent Nursing Home. Nisei volunteers assist in the Kimochi Lunch Program and other service projects. The church is the home of the Nihonmachi Little Friends’ after-school program.

History:

Christ United Presbyterian Church was organized as the First Japanese Presbyterian Church of San Francisco in 1885. It is the oldest Japanese Christian Church in the USA. In 1916, the church, later named Japanese Federated Church of Christ, moved to 1500 Post St. in Japantown. Executive Order 9066, signed by President Roosevelt in 1942, sent church members to concentration camps, the majority to Topaz, Utah. Upon their return in 1945, church facilities were used as temporary hostels for the homeless. In 1957, the Rev. Howard Toriumi was installed as the first English-speaking pastor. During his pastorate, the church school flourished with over 200 students. In 1965, during the Civil Rights period, the church sent its pastor, the Rev. Nicholas Iyoya, to participate in the Selma, Alabama march. With the redevelopment in the Western Addition, the church became actively involved in the community to preserve Japantown. In 1966, the church called the Rev. David Hawbecker as Associate Pastor for Mission and Community Relations. In 1966, the church adopted a name change to Christ United Presbyterian Church. In 1972, the church made plans to relocate to the corner of Sutter and Laguna Streets. In 1975, the church moved to the present facility at 1700 Sutter St. (designed by member Wayne Osaki). Upon moving into the new church building, the annual fund-raising bazaar was initiated and continued to 2000. In 1976, the CUPC Summer Camp was established. Summer Camp, with an average enrollment of 150, continues yearly as a needed service to working and other parents. In 2004, the church, after three years of visioning and mission study, called Grace Kaori Suzuki as its pastor. The Rev. Grace Kaori Suzuki was ordained and installed on May 30, 2004.

Significance:

Cultural, Educational, Historical, Social

Recognition of Significance:

Historical as a Japanese religious institution in the USA

Sources:

Katherine Reyes, Clerk of Session, Christ United Presbyterian Church

Other Comments:

Prepared By: Darryl Abantao Date Prepared: 12/08/04