Congregations Caring for Children

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

On January 28, 1913, in San Francisco's Central Methodist Church, twenty del 

egates from one county and five city church federations met and organized the

California Church Federation. Thus was formed a body of concerned church

members, with the intent of taking political action to address issues of concern.

Emphasizing its legislative concerns, the California Federation's letterhead af 

firmed,  (The Federation) was organized to make effective through legislation

the Social Creed of the Church and to unite the churches of the State in all efforts

for human betterment....  In those early days, issues included were women's

suffrage, the moral aims of World War I, denominational cooperation, Prohibi 

tion, gambling, and peacemaking through a Department of International Justice

and Goodwill.

In the spirit of denominational cooperation, the Federation was instrumental in

founding and building an interdenominational church at Yosemite, the Univer 

sity Religious Center at UCLA, the Hoover Dam International Council, and

established Weekday Religious Education.

In addition, in 1934 the Federation participated in the consolidation of the work

of six organizations into an enlarged cooperative entity called the California

Church Council.  Formal incorporation of the new Council was filed on March 5,

1937. By 1941, it was agreed to form the Southern California Council of Churches

(now Southern California Ecumenical Council) and the Northern California 

Nevada Council of Churches (later, Northern California Ecumenical Council).

The California Church Council continued as an Office for State Affairs, thus

uniting the North and South ecumenical organizations through a board of direc 

tors elected from both groups.

Currently, the California Council of Churches seeks  to be a prophetic witness to

the Gospel by lifting up issues of justice, peacemaking and the well being of the

people of California for study by local congregations.  The Council educates by

sponsoring an annual legislative issues briefing day in cooperation with the

California Interfaith Coalition, and publishing JUSTICE SEEKERS, a quarterly

newsletter as well as numerous congregational study guides.

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