A Pacific Palisades Congregation Rebuilding
Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church has been a part of Pacific Palisades, California, for more than seventy-five years. In that time the congregation has moved from a handful of families meeting in borrowed spaces to a church whose ministries stretch across Los Angeles and around the world. The campus at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and El Medio, the church's home since 1951, was severely damaged in the Palisades Fire. While recovery is underway, the congregation gathers each Sunday at Brentwood Presbyterian Church in nearby Brentwood and continues to live out its calling as a caring community of Christians rooted in the Reformed tradition.
How the Church Began
Pali Pres was planted by the Rev. Dr. Benjamin Franklin Janés, a U.S. Marine Corps Chaplain who came to Pacific Palisades with his family after serving in World War II. At the time, the nearest Presbyterian church was in Santa Monica, and Janés felt a call to serve the Palisades community. He and his wife quickly organized a Steering Committee, and on September 25, 1949, Temescal Presbyterian Church held its first service. The congregation was formally organized under the Los Angeles Presbytery in January 1950.
Those early years brought a series of temporary homes: the Presbyterian Conference grounds on Haverford Street, two American Legion Halls, and the New Horizon Theater. In February 1951, the church settled into the former home of Congressman Leland Ford, a Spanish-style mansion at Sunset Boulevard and El Medio. Members worked with a builder to remodel the house for the growing congregation, and in 1955 ground was broken for a chapel. By December 1957 the church had met the Los Angeles Presbytery's requirements to be recognized as a fully established mission church, and it was released from the direction of the New Development Committee the following year.
The current sanctuary, chapel, offices, and youth complex were built under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. John Todd and dedicated to the glory of God in May 1999. After nineteen years of service, Rev. Todd retired in 2004.
Worship Now at Brentwood Presbyterian
Because the church's own campus is closed for recovery, Pali Pres worships every Sunday at Brentwood Presbyterian Church, 12000 San Vicente Boulevard in Los Angeles. The service begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Brentwood sanctuary, following Brentwood's own morning worship. The arrangement has been a gift to both congregations, allowing them to share space, music, and fellowship across two Westside Presbyterian communities.
For those who cannot attend in person, services are livestreamed on the Pali Pres YouTube channel, with recordings available afterward. Visitors who drive will find ample parking in the brick parking garage off Bundy Avenue at the intersection of Bundy and San Vicente, directly behind Brentwood Presbyterian Church, as well as on nearby side streets.
The Unfinished Cross and Presbyterian Beliefs
The Unfinished Cross window, set into the church's sanctuary and visible from both inside and outside, is the congregation's key symbol. It stands for the belief that the work of learning the faith and sharing God's Word is never done.
Pali Pres is one of more than 9,000 congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a denomination of 1.4 million members shaped by what the PCUSA calls the six Great Ends of the Church: proclamation of the Gospel, building up the Christian community, worship of God, theology matters in the world, promotion of social justice, and demonstrating our faith.
The church's beliefs are articulated in the PCUSA's Book of Confessions. The Brief Statement of Reformed Faith (1984) provides a concise summary: in life and in death, members belong to God. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, they trust in the one triune God. They trust in Jesus Christ, fully human and fully God, who proclaimed the reign of God, healed the sick, fed the hungry, forgave sinners, was crucified for the sins of the world, and was raised by God. They trust in God the Father, who created the world good and makes every person in God's image, and in God the Holy Spirit, who justifies by grace through faith and binds believers together as the body of Christ.
The Statement of Faith closes with the words: "With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen."
"No Matter Who You Are, No Matter Where You Are"
Every service at Pali Pres opens the same way. The pastor offers these words: "No matter who you are, no matter where you are, you are welcome here." The congregation says it back. The church is intentionally inclusive, welcoming all who are seeking answers to the questions of daily life, no matter their age, stage, or background.
Worship blends prayer, scripture-centered sermons rooted in the Good News of Jesus Christ, and musical offerings that draw from both traditional and contemporary styles. The aim is to enter God's presence with humility and openness, to hear God's Word, and to be sent out strengthened for service in the world.
After the service, the community gathers for a coffee hour on the patio, where organic, fair-trade coffee from Equal Exchange is served. Sunday morning refreshments rotate among volunteer "Snack Angels," and a weekly flower dedication adorns the chancel.
Pastors Matt Hardin and Grace Park
The Rev. Matthew (Matt) Hardin is the Pastor and Head of Staff. He came to Pali Pres in January 2021 after serving as Associate Pastor at Westwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. A graduate of George Mason University in philosophy, Matt worked in the Internal Affairs Division at the U.S. Customs Service in Washington, D.C., before answering a call to ordained ministry at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. He was ordained in the PCUSA in 2004. His first call was as the solo pastor of a small church in North Carolina, followed by service at Tokyo Union Church in Japan beginning in 2009. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree in the field of men's spirituality, an area of special interest since his introduction to the work of Richard Rohr in 2010, and serves as the Los Angeles Region Coordinator for Illuman SoCal, a global nonprofit supporting men who seek to deepen their spiritual lives. Matt and his wife Mary Fish Hardin, a middle school teacher at Brentwood School, have two sons.
The Rev. Dr. Grace Park is the Associate Pastor and has been part of the Pali Pres family since 2006, making her the longest-tenured pastor on staff. A native of Southern California born at St. John's in Santa Monica, she graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Political Economics and taught severely emotionally disturbed high-risk youth in Pacoima before earning her Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1993. She later earned a Doctor of Ministry from New York Theological Seminary, with a dissertation on clergy self-care through interfaith dialogue and community. Ordained in the PCUSA in 1996, Pastor Grace has served as a children's pastor, youth pastor, and associate pastor in many settings, and has led urban missions focused on the homeless as well as short-term missions in Mexico and Central America. She also works as a hospice chaplain and serves at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center through a Clinical Pastoral Education program. She and her husband Charles, a physician, have four adult children.
A Blended Music Program
Music is central to worship at Pali Pres, and the program intentionally blends traditional sacred music with contemporary pieces. Michael Payne serves as Director of Traditional Music. A classically trained bass, he holds a Bachelor of Music from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, and a Master of Music from Missouri State University. He made his Carnegie Hall solo debut with Manhattan Opera Studio in 2017 and was part of the inaugural Teatro Nuovo in 2018. He has performed at two presidential inaugurations and teaches applied voice at California State University, Dominguez Hills, while pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts at Claremont Graduate University.
Anthony Wamble is the Contemporary Worship Leader. A native Pacific Islander, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, and teacher, Anthony studied Graphic Design with double minors in Music and Psychology. He has led his marching band drum line to national championship finals, performs live with his own music, and teaches curriculum music and STEM-STEAM-Technology Integration in Los Angeles area schools. He also directs two locations of ATAM, the Academy of Technology, Art, and Music.
The choir is open to everyone, with no audition required. Rehearsals are held Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and on Sunday mornings the choir gathers to warm up before the service. Other musicians who support the program include pianist and violinist Dylan Jackson, soprano Hagar Sara Adam, tenor Alex Miller, and pianist Austin Ho.
Children, Family, and Youth
Lucy Garcia directs Children and Family Ministries. A Southern California native with international experience, she has served as a volunteer leader and paid staff member for various Christian organizations in the U.S. and abroad, particularly in Latin America. Before joining Pali Pres, she served as Director of Charities for the International Women's Club of Mexico City, where she co-led English and tutoring programs for displaced young women's homes. She is bilingual, multicultural, and passionate about elevating the role of women in the church and raising children in the love of God.
Sunday mornings include Sunday School for children from preschool through fifth grade. Classes rotate kids through stations that include camp songs, games, crafts, music, and snack or play time. The Sunday School program partners with families on a related mission project, and the children participate regularly in the Brown Bag Brigade, preparing sack lunches that are distributed through the Palisades Task Force on Homelessness to neighbors experiencing housing insecurity.
Vacation Bible School is a one-week, fun-filled, Bible-themed program held each summer. Kids are grouped by ages and rotate through stations focused on faith, friendship, learning, and fun. Communion Passage is a special class for elementary students in grades three through five, exploring the meaning of Communion in the Presbyterian tradition. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend alongside their children.
Other annual family events include a Trunk-or-Treat at Halloween, an Easter program with crafts, refreshments, and an Easter egg hunt, and a Las Posadas pageant at Christmas, re-enacting the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem with carol singing, refreshments including champurrado and tamales, and a live petting zoo.
Youth ministry gathers middle and high school students for breakfast and Bible study, social events, beach days with other Westside Presbyterian youth, and service opportunities. The annual Fall Kickoff is one of the year's highlights, with food, fellowship, and a popular bake-off contest.
Mission and Outreach Across Los Angeles
The Mission, Outreach, and Evangelism Committee takes seriously the words of James 2:14-17: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?" The committee's charge is to contribute 10% of the church's tithes and to gather energy as individuals to serve the church family, the community, and the world.
Habitat for Humanity is a long-standing partner. Pali Pres supports an annual build day and has joined Habitat for Humanity LA on rebuilding efforts in the Palisades. The Pali Pres campus serves as a welcome and staging area for volunteers during these events.
Teen Challenge of Southern California brings hope and healing to people trapped in drug and alcohol addiction. Pali Pres hosts the Teen Challenge Choir for a special worship service and a women's luncheon, where women in the program share their stories, worship, and pray together.
Angel Interfaith Network meets urgent physical and spiritual needs of patients and their families at LAC+USC Medical Center. Pali Pres continues to support their outreach operations and holds an annual Christmas Shopping Spree with the youth group to collect urgently needed items.
Angel Tree, a program of Prison Fellowship, fulfills Christmas gift wishes from currently incarcerated parents. Each year the Pali Pres family picks up tags, purchases gifts, wraps them, and delivers them to the children of incarcerated parents.
PATH is a partner in caring for unhoused neighbors. The church has a long-standing relationship with the PATH team, contributing yearly donations and holding food drives in collaboration with the Vacation Bible School families.
The Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness is a coalition of local faith groups that provides brown-bag lunches for case workers to share with those in need. Pali Pres supports this work through the Brown Bag Brigade, which the Sunday School program regularly staffs.
The church also supports the Sojourn Women's and Children's Shelter in Los Angeles, which provides shelter and support services to victims of domestic violence, and contributes to Presbyterian Disaster Relief Assistance, including special collections for international crises.
Operation Kindness, a food pantry drive held over multiple Sundays, supports neighbors facing food insecurity. The collected goods are delivered to Immanuel Presbyterian Church for distribution. Clothing drives are also a regular ministry, with past events including "Drive and Dunk," which collected socks for homeless neighbors, and "Soles for Souls," a shoe collection for women in El Salvador.
The church supports the American Bible Society, a two-hundred-year-old organization that translates and distributes Bibles worldwide, and partners with Brentwood Presbyterian Church on annual home-building mission trips to Mexico.
Mustard Seed Ministries: Prayer Shawls and Handmade Comfort
Mustard Seed Ministries is a quiet, hands-on ministry that knits and crochets blankets, prayer shawls, baby clothes, and toys. Recipients include members of the church community, the Department of Spiritual Care at LAC+USC Medical Center, Angel Interfaith Network, and others who need comfort and prayers. All are welcome, whether experienced at knitting or crocheting, or interested in learning. The ministry is coordinated by Esther Alva.
Fellowship and Community Life
Pali Pres is known for its warmth, and that warmth shows up in the wide range of fellowship events held throughout the year. The church's softball team, the Pali Pres Prodigals, plays in a local league. Other annual gatherings include the Fall Kickoff, an Ice Cream Social, the Christmas Dinner and Women's Cookie Exchange, where homemade cookies are packed into tins and delivered to homebound members and friends, the Trunk-or-Treat Halloween event, and the Fallderol Fundraiser Auction.
WOW (Women of Working Age) is a monthly fellowship group for women that meets in members' homes for a time of sharing and learning together. Senior ladies gather for a tea fellowship, and men are invited into spiritual growth through Illuman SoCal's men's ministry programs, which Pastor Matt helps lead.
The Pali Pres Preschool
The Pali Pres Preschool (PPP) is a long-standing ministry of the church, offering care and early education to community families. The preschool is currently in the process of searching for a new director to lead its educational, enrichment, and care programs.
Stewardship and Giving
The ministries and operations of Pali Pres rely on the faithful donations of members and friends. Gifts can be made in several ways: cash or check, online giving through the church's secure giving portal (which accepts credit and debit cards as well as automatic withdrawals from a checking or savings account), gifts of appreciated securities including mutual funds, and planned giving such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance policies, direct bequests, or gifts of stock and real estate.
Rebuilding and the Road Ahead
The Pali Pres community is in the middle of an intentional rebuilding process. A Request for Qualifications for architectural and design firms and a Request for Proposals for project management services have been finalized and posted, with the goal of identifying partners to guide the church through the next phase of restoring its campus at Sunset Boulevard and El Medio.
In the meantime, the congregation gathers each week in the sanctuary at Brentwood Presbyterian Church for worship, prayer, coffee, and the kind of conversation that turns neighbors into family. Sunday School, the choir, the Brown Bag Brigade, the prayer shawls of Mustard Seed Ministries, and the work of the Mission and Outreach Committee all continue. The community is rebuilding not only a building but a future in Pacific Palisades, where the Unfinished Cross still reminds all who see it that God's work in and through this congregation is, by God's grace, never complete.