First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica sits at 1008 Eleventh Street, a few blocks inland from the bluffs of Santa Monica, and has occupied that corner of the city for more than a century. Its roots go back to October 15, 1875, when the Rev. John D. Crum gathered a small group of new residents together for the first meeting of Methodists in Santa Monica, the same year the city itself was established. They met in a second-floor loft of Mr. Brady's hardware store at Fourth and Arizona, marking the start of what would become a 150-year presence on the Westside.
Over those 150 years, the congregation moved to larger buildings to accommodate its growth, including sanctuaries at Fourth and Arizona and, eventually, the current campus at Eleventh and Washington. The church's central motto, "God is real. God is love. Together we can change the world," captures the conviction that has shaped it across generations: a faith grounded in personal transformation and social justice, paired with steady involvement in the surrounding community.
Today, First UMC is a place known for a Sunday sanctuary service enriched by a six-decade music program, an NAEYC-accredited preschool that has served local families since 1948, and a deep bench of mission partnerships addressing homelessness and hunger on the Westside. The congregation is a beloved community where every person is welcomed regardless of age, race, nationality, citizenship, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, ability, faith story, or economic situation.
Sunday Morning Worship at 10 a.m.
The church gathers every Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary for its principal worship service, in person and online. The service follows the rhythms of the Christian liturgical year, marked by seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost. Holy Communion is celebrated throughout the year on marked Sundays, baptisms and confirmations take place several times annually, and special Sundays set apart Youth Sunday, Scholarship Sunday, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Music and Arts Appreciation, World Communion Sunday, All Saints Sunday, Laity Sunday, and Consecration Sunday. A service of Lessons and Carols in Advent and a service of Lessons and Anthems in Lent draw on the choirs, organ, and brass for richer musical worship.
Worship is offered simultaneously online. The livestream is available on Facebook and on the First UMC YouTube channel, and recordings remain accessible 24/7 for those who wish to participate later. A dedicated app, FirstUMC_SM, sends notifications when new services are posted and gives users another way to watch.
Visitors arriving at 11th Street will find a free underground parking garage across the street marked with "Church Parking" signs. The garage and the entire church campus are fully handicap accessible, with a marked crosswalk recommended for safely crossing the street. After the service, the congregation gathers informally in Simkins Hall and the courtyard for coffee, donuts, and conversation. A Sunday Welcome Table is staffed for anyone with questions about the church.
A Six-Decade Music Tradition
Few features of First UMC are as distinctive as its music program. Dr. James E. Smith has served as Music Director since 1965, making him one of the longest-tenured music directors in any American congregation. Over six decades he has supported countless musicians, restored and tuned innumerable pianos, overseen the development and maintenance of the church organ, and added a grand piano to the mix. Before his arrival at First UMC, he taught at Sweet Briar College in Virginia and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio, then spent 42 years as Professor of Music at Santa Monica College, where he directed choral activities and conducted the SMC orchestra. He holds degrees from Oberlin, Northwestern, and the University of Southern California.
Organist Ty Woodward has played classical and theatre organ concerts throughout the United States. His credits include a solo classical recording on the former Aeolian-Skinner organ at the Kennedy Center, a theatre organ recording on the Wurlitzer at Rochester's Auditorium Theatre, and film work as the organist on the 2018 version of Dr. Seuss' The Grinch. He is currently Staff Organist at Disney's El Capitan Theatre and Principal at Diapason Pipe Organ Consultants LLC.
The Chancel Choir, directed by Dr. Smith, rehearses at 7:40 p.m. on Thursdays (with a summer break) and provides music every Sunday at the 10 a.m. service. The choir also presents major concerts in December and in the spring. A monthly Saturday Recital Series, presented by Dr. Smith, features guest artists and takes place at 1 p.m. in the Sanctuary with doors opening at 12:45 p.m., followed by a reception; these recitals are also livestreamed. Past concert CDs may be available through the church office. A community theater group called A.C.T. (All Community Theater) involves members in dramatic productions, and visual art rotates through the Fireside Room throughout the year.
Clergy, Staff, and the United Methodist Identity
Rev. Greg Batson was appointed Senior Pastor on July 1, 2024. A lifelong Methodist, he first came to First UMC as an Associate Pastor from 2000 to 2004 and has since served as Senior Pastor of three other United Methodist congregations in Southern California: Burbank (2004-2009), Tustin (2009-2013), and La Mesa (2017-2024). He also served as President and CEO of the California-Pacific United Methodist Foundation from 2013 to 2017. A graduate of Emory University (B.A. in English and Economics, 1986) and Union Theological Seminary (M.Div., 2000), he previously worked for eleven years as a corporate banker in Nashville and New York City before answering a call to ministry in 1997. He is married to Tania Trotter Batson and has three adult sons.
Rev. Keri Olsen Paget serves as Deacon Associate for Spiritual Formation, an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church who assists with worship twice a month, cultivates opportunities for spiritual depth, and supports teaching, listening, and communal reflection. A graduate of Emory's Candler School of Theology, she has worked primarily as a hospital chaplain and an ACPE Certified Educator since 2011, training clergy and lay people in spiritual care at hospitals in Atlanta, Los Angeles (UCLA Health), Baltimore (Johns Hopkins Medicine), and Downey (PIH Health).
Tricia Guerrero is the Pastoral Associate, overseeing Family Ministries and intergenerational programs such as Messy Church and summer service trips. She also facilitates small groups including Open Space Young Adults and Listening Hearts for Women, contributes to mission and communication efforts, and provides worship leadership on Sunday mornings. A lifelong United Methodist and graduate of Claremont School of Theology (M.Div., 2016), she has served on the Sierra Service Project Board of Directors and is pursuing ordination as an Elder in the UMC.
Anne Premer is the Congregation Care Associate, providing pastoral care with a particular focus on the congregation's older adults. She joined the staff in 2016 after earning a certificate in Pastoral Care from Loyola Marymount University in 2023. Jamie Jones serves as Family Ministries Coordinator; a lifelong churchgoer who grew up attending First UMC Preschool, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, youth group, handbells, and service trips, she now leads Sunday School, weekly preschool chapel, Kids Night Out, monthly Messy Church, and the summer Messy Camp.
The administrative team includes Christina Eddy (Business Administrator, a C.P.A. with an MBA from Notre Dame de Namur), Tina Gage (Communications Director), Sarah Rold (Office Manager), David Penson (Facilities and Membership Coordinator), and Brandon Searfoss (Program and Outreach Coordinator and AV Tech).
Children, Youth, and Family Ministries
First UMC invests heavily in children, youth, and families. The Sunday School program, after the Children's Message during 10 a.m. worship, gathers three groups in the Education Building: Nursery Care for children 6 months through toddler using Cokesbury's Deep Blue curriculum, a Younger Elementary class for kindergarten through 3rd grade using the Big Faith curriculum, and a new Sunday School group for 4th through 7th graders using Illustrated Ministry's Mini Revolutions curriculum, which follows the Lectionary Year to match the Scripture and theme of the day.
Parents of infants are welcome to remain in the Sanctuary or to use the Family Zone in the Narthex, also described as a Prayer Ground for the youngest children. The church follows Safe Sanctuaries® practices, a commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all children, youth, and adults in its care.
Youth Ministry gathers students in grades 6 through 12 for weekly UMYF meetings on Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Youth Lounge. The program centers on three core values: Authenticity, encouraging honesty even when it's difficult; Hospitality, welcoming each student as they are; and Connection, fostering relationships with the broader church community across generations. Each year the youth plan and lead worship on Youth Sunday in February, including sermon reflections from graduating seniors.
Faith in Action is a regular service day when children and youth work together on a community project. Past projects include making 50 sack lunches for The People Concern after reading Lulu and the Hunger Monster, assembling Christmas-themed care kits for people experiencing homelessness, decorating kindness placemats for homebound members, making peanut butter and seed plates for neighborhood birds, collecting 60 backpacks of school supplies for Upward Bound House, and creating Valentine's cards for homebound members.
Other family offerings include Kids Night Out, an evening of games, crafts, pizza, and a movie for children age 2 through 5th grade while parents enjoy an evening out; Messy Camp, the church's signature summer day camp; and Messy Church, an all-ages worship experience with crafts and intergenerational activities. Families United Against Racism provides resources for parents and children to learn and stand against racism together.
Service Beyond the Sanctuary
Mission and outreach are at the heart of the church's identity. The Outreach and Mission ministry addresses homelessness and hunger in partnership with a number of long-standing Westside organizations.
Upward Bound House is perhaps the most significant of those partnerships. A long-time dream of the First UMC congregation came to life in the early 1990s when Rev. Don Shelby, church members, and staff focused the church's mission on seniors and homeless families in the city. The church partnered with Upward Bound House to raise money and lend its property for the construction of state-of-the-art housing and a subterranean garage. The organization, which has helped more than 2,500 families including over 4,900 children transition from homelessness to permanent housing, continues to be served daily by the congregation through volunteering and giving. The annual Home Run for Kids 10K and 5K race, sponsored by Upward Bound House, draws a spirited team of children, youth, and adults from First UMC each year.
Westside Food Bank is the church's primary hunger partner. Food bins are located outside the Sanctuary and at the Welcome table on Sunday mornings, and the church also hosts seasonal food drives and supports the Westside Food Bank Annual 5K Hunger Walk. In recent years the First UMC team has been the top fundraising team in the walk, raising more than $6,000 in one year alone.
Other partners include The People Concern, an integrated-services nonprofit assisting homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, at-risk youth, indigent veterans, and people with mental illness or substance abuse. First UMC volunteers make sandwiches and assemble sack lunches at The People Concern's Access Center on the third Tuesday of each month. Harvest Home provides housing and support for homeless pregnant women and their children. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles is supported through a coalition of nine churches that funded and built a home in Culver City.
Beyond the Westside, the church has sustained a Haiti mission partnership since the 2010 earthquake, sending teams for eight years to collaborate with Haitian Methodists on rebuilding churches, clinics, schools, and homes. The Haiti team continues to work remotely today, supporting local fundraising for goats, holiday food drops, peanut crops, and emergency assistance. Members Todd and Leigh Erlandson have been long-time supporters of the Good Samaritan Medical and Dental Ministry in Cao Bang Province, North Vietnam, working through March Studio to help plan and build a Family Health Center there.
The congregation also supports Children, Youth and Family Collaborative (CYFC), a nationally recognized organization serving over 2,500 foster youth and youth on probation; the Wesley Foundation 560 Cafe serving UCLA, an Immigrant Welcoming, LGBTQIA+ Inclusive, and Gender Affirming Community; InnerCHANGE, which journeys long-term with people facing enduring poverty; the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR); American Red Cross; and Step Up on Second Street. The Card Care Ministry mails cards of encouragement to medical professionals, police, firefighters, and teachers connected to the church.
The Sierra Service Project and Youth Service Project
For decades, First UMC has sent teams on summer service trips. Each summer, the Youth Service Project (YSP) takes youth and adult volunteers on a week-long service trip to work alongside reputable youth-centered service organizations. The goal is for youth to learn teamwork, use power tools, build relationships with peers from across the country, and help families gain a safe, warm, and dry home. Past trips have partnered with the Sierra Service Project and the Epworth Project in New Orleans.
In August 2026, an intergenerational team from First UMC spent a week with the Sierra Service Project working in the Teec Nos Pos Chapter of the Navajo Nation in Arizona. The team built accessibility ramps and stairs, erected sheds for heating wood storage, performed critical home maintenance, and added protective porches and awnings for snow and weather protection. The intergenerational format gave all ages a chance to serve side by side and build deeper relationships within the church community.
The First UMC Preschool
Started in 1948, the First UMC Preschool has earned a reputation as one of the finest in Santa Monica and is currently accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In its most recent accreditation review, class ratings and observations scored 97 to 99 percent across all categories, placing the school among the top-rated preschools nationally. NAEYC accreditation covers ten standards, from curriculum and teaching to family relationships and program management.
The preschool is led by Co-Directors Dane Rold and Taylor Spearman, working alongside a staff of experienced early childhood educators. Dane Rold, who grew up in Montana, came to Los Angeles in 2008 and joined the preschool in 2014 after teaching swim lessons, cooking classes, and children's theatre. Taylor Spearman brings eleven years of experience in Early Childhood Education, including four in the classroom and seven in leadership roles such as coordinator, instructional coach, assistant director, curriculum specialist, health and safety director, and center director. She holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Trauma Studies from Pacific Oaks College and is completing her M.A. in Organizational Leadership and Management there.
The school welcomes children ages 2 and up and offers both morning and full-day programs. The philosophy emphasizes learning through play and exploration in a stimulating environment that promotes physical, mental, emotional, social, creative, and spiritual growth. Children attend weekly Chapel where values are taught through songs, stories, and prayers appropriate for their age. Nutritious lunches and snacks are prepared on-site and served family style.
For many families, their children attending First UMC are third-generation attendees who think of the school as their extended family. The preschool can be reached at (310) 395-7292 or preschool@santamonicaumc.org, with office hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
United Women in Faith and Small Groups
United Women in Faith is a long-standing women's ministry within the church. Its mission is to connect and nurture women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, creative fellowship, and education so that they can inspire, influence, and impact local and global communities. The local unit hosts annual events including January Game Day, a St. Patrick's Day Luncheon, a High School Seniors Scholarship Luncheon, a Christmas in July Boutique and Bake Sale, a Women's Tea, and peanut brittle making for the Christmas Boutique. Funds raised throughout the year support the Westside Food Bank, The People Concern, CYFC, Meals on Wheels, the Wesley Foundation serving UCLA, Step Up on Second Street, UMCOR, the Youth Service Project, and scholarships for graduating high school seniors.
The Listening Hearts small group, facilitated by Tricia Guerrero, is a spiritual community of women who gather to listen to one another in the midst of life's chaos. The group meets on the first and third Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. at Literati Cafe on Wilshire Boulevard and once a month via Zoom. A Men's Bible Study meets Tuesdays from 7 to 8 a.m. online. Family Connection gathers singles, couples, and parents for events such as summer breakfasts on the beach and Christmas gatherings. Open Space Young Adults is another small group meeting through the pastoral associate's office.
Health, Pastoral Care, and the Prayer Quilt Ministry
The Health Ministry Council works to promote wellness in individuals, the church, and the community, planning programs and activities that support physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The council hosts free Blood Pressure Screenings one Sunday of each month in the Fireside Room and provides a list of local Santa Monica and Los Angeles health and care resources.
The Pastoral Care Team, comprising Rev. Greg Batson, Tricia Guerrero, Rev. Keri Olsen Paget, and Anne Premer, is available to support members during times of need, including hospitalization, bereavement, and the challenges of aging. Anne Premer, the Congregation Care Associate, visits homebound members and supports them with prayer, humor, and the reminder that they are never forgotten.
The Prayer Quilt Ministry, a chapter of the national Prayers and Squares network since 2003 and celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023, combines the gift of prayer with the gift of a hand-tied quilt. Members of the congregation tie a square knot in heavy thread on each quilt while offering a silent prayer for the recipient. The quilt is then displayed in the Friday Community Email and during Sunday worship, with prayer knots tied by church staff the following week. Smaller Prayer Squares are offered for situations where a full quilt is not needed, including emergencies, baptisms, youth joining the church, and service project teams.
Other Worship Experiences and Spiritual Practices
Beyond the Sunday 10 a.m. service, several additional offerings invite members and visitors into deeper worship and reflection. REFLECT worship is a monthly gathering in Simkins Hall at 5 p.m. led by Pastor Greg. The service includes prayer and sharing, scripture, a reflection on a classic work of art, and Holy Communion, and is followed by a community meal at 6 p.m. All are welcome.
A walking labyrinth is available on the church campus, with First Fridays offering extended hours and an open chapel for those wishing to walk and pray. Messy Church is an all-ages, hands-on worship experience designed for families and individuals who prefer a less formal setting. The Blessing of the Animals is a popular annual event that draws the wider community, accompanied by a Big & Small: Take Flight art exhibit featuring children's hand-printed birds.
The Vigil for Just Peace at First UMC brings people together for peace in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi's "Prayer for Peace." A Men's Weekend Retreat called Abide, named for John 15:4 ("Abide in me as I abide in you"), is held annually at the Mary and Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes to help men reconnect with God, themselves, and one another through worship, prayer, reflection, and conversation.
For those navigating end-of-life decisions, the church offers information on "The Five Wishes," an easy-to-use living will that addresses personal, emotional, and spiritual needs as well as medical wishes. The Memorial Services ministry helps families plan funerals, memorial services, or graveside services, with support from the pastoral staff for selecting music, arranging flowers, printing orders of service, and hosting receptions. A planning guide is available from the church office.
Becoming Part of the Community
First UMC encourages newcomers to begin with the New Visitor Sign In form, where visitors can share contact information, prayer requests, and questions. Sunday morning coffee hour in Simkins Hall and the courtyard, the Sunday Welcome Table, and the church office at (310) 393-8258 are all open points of contact. Visitors are warmly invited to come as they are, just as they are, and join in the life of the church.
Generous giving supports the church's ministries. Members and friends may give online, by mail, or through automatic checking drafts, with 100 percent of designated gifts flowing to the chosen fund. The church supports worship life (30 percent of the operating budget), congregation and community care (20 percent), local and world outreach (20 percent), and youth, children, and families (30 percent). The Legacy Circle, with more than 57 member families, has helped fund capital improvements, scholarships, the Health Ministry, Youth Ministry, Music, Worship, and Missions through planned estate gifts. The Methodist Foundation of Santa Monica, founded in 1967, provides additional aid to religious, educational, and charitable causes. Shoppers using a Ralphs Rewards card can also support the church by enrolling in the Ralphs Community Contribution Program.
After 150 years, First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica continues to gather at Eleventh and Washington as a community of faith devoted to loving God, loving neighbors, and offering compassion to a world in need.