Once upon a time, it was a day to celebrate the life of a good man, Laverne David. The church was beautiful and accommodated all who were present comfortably. This historical church is awe-inspiring! Lovely service! The end. read more

First Congregational Church UCC - Just beautiful inside! - Churches Near Me - Long Beach, California

This is a new home for me as a new resident to Long Beach. I'm Presbyterian by baptism. I love this ministry as they are open to all people and seek justice for all. They also offer many weekend musician presentations. Most recently: a great lady who plays classical guitar. Her performance was phenomenal. They are a United Church of Christ, and the ministers are so kind and eloquent with their sermons. I feel so connected to God after attending church- it feeds my soul. Today is Palm Sunday and then they have services again on Maundy Thursday with Communion and then next Sunday- Easter Celebration- Christ is Risen, and Communion. read more

A religious show !! A must go ! Coffee and donuts after the service . A non denominational. Church

This review concerns the beautiful architecture and truly welcoming staff we encountered when attending a concert here last evening. They were helpful in acquainting everyone with seating for this new venue for Musica Angelica. I might single out Eric for his very kind thoughtfulness which I have no doubt is the norm for all. Sincere smiling faces increase the charm of this historic treasure. I hope my photos demonstrate the charm of this historic Long Beach institution. read more

First Congregational Church UCC - Churches Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Beautiful church and the csulb winter concert was amazing! Who knew they have been hosting it for over 20 years. This was my first one and I recommend it highly. read more

First Congregational Church UCC - Churches Near Me - Long Beach, California

When I return to SoCal I plan on joining this church! I was impressed by the friendliness, attentiveness, and dedication of the entire FCC staff during our wedding planning and on the actual "day of." Our folks who helped us: Robert Stapp was a treasure to work with - as our minister we really enjoyed being married by him. Lelani is a diligent coordinator & kept us on track - we really appreciated it. Marc on the organ was wonderful - so helpful & talented. I am still getting compliments on the beauty of the church & the wonderful organ. And Ruth, in the office, was been instrumental in making our booking for the FCC and Patterson Hall for our rehearsal dinner just as easy as it could be. We treasured our wedding day and the ceremony at the FCC was a highlight in that day. read more

The people here are nice and polite in a very politically correct way. They will greet you with the normal platitudes and feel-good-isms, but if you begin to discuss The Bible or truth the tone will quickly change. This is not the place for a Christian, or someone seeking God. There are some people who are looking to follow GOD'S Will, and others who are looking to follow their own will. These people here are the latter. If you are looking for self-delusion and to feel good about it with people who will help you excuse any and everything you do and/or believe, than this is the place for you. If you are looking to learn about and know God, this is not. This is a false church. The sermon is typical of a false church. It is about mortal and worldly emotion and self-serving. I heard no talk of self-sacrifice for The Lord or the purposes of the truth. It's the typical worldly talk that "life is hard", which then ensues into justifying anything and everything you might do, because "life is hard". And of course, they have a female in the role of a pastor, which is not Biblical and a dead giveaway of the agenda that the purpose here is to serve the worldly system and not God. If you want to learn about and know God, the way to do it is to read and learn about HIS Word, not the word and mind of people following their own will. For example: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 As any Christian knows, a pastor or "church" that is telling you that you are following GOD'S Will or mind by simply following your own mind, they are leading you down a path of deception and destruction. As it is written: "Every way of every man is right in his own eyes, but God measures the heart." Proverbs 21:2 If you want to be right with God, you might want to check if you have a heart for God, or if you are trying to make Him have His heart after yours, and to have Him bend to your will. That's what is taking place here, starting at the very top with a female pastor. Wide is the path that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter by it. Narrow is the path that leads to life... read more

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matt. 18:20) I don't go to church often enough, I confess. A couple whose wedding I recently stood up in, invited me. I was all warm and cozy in my bed, not wanting to get up, much less sit on a hard bench for an hour. The Easter Bunny didn't leave me a colorful basket with lots of chocolate eggs, so I decided to get moving. Just showing up at church is an act of worship when you don't really want to go. This church is beautiful and the parishioners were more than welcoming. The Choir performance was professional level. Every time they sang my soul was akin to a freshly cleaned linen being shook out by angels to dry in the bright sunshine. Totally renewed my inner vibe. I quite enjoyed the stimulating sermon and ornamental spring Easter lilies among believers with a common inspiration. When I leave church I'm a whole lot better at doing small everyday things for others and I take the "me" out of the equation for awhile. I'm not bothered much if others think I'm different or strange, I already know that - but I have faith that I'm not alone. "If God is for us, who is against us?" (Romans 8:31) read more

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I attended rehearsal and wedding ceremonies at First Congregational Church last weekend. The interior felt enormous with extremely high ceilings, pretty stained glass, and huge organ pipes. The pews were clean and plentiful - there was also seating available on the upper level. Great venue for the Christian ceremony. read more

First Congregational Church UCC - Churches Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I've never been to this church so i am not rating it based on its mass service. i am only rating it on its customer service. okay, soooo, i was trying to volunteer for an event that is going to be taking place at this church for Christmas, so i call so i can try and get more information on it and a lady that picked up the phone was VERY VERY rude! she was being very snobby and she was not even trying to engage in a conversation! When i asked her about the event she said "psss thats not even part of us! we are just lending them the space!!!" so i said "oh,sorry, i didnt know that.do you happen to have the name of the other org...." i didnt even finish my sentence when she cut me off and said "ugh! no i don't !!!" eventually she gave me the name of the other organization and i said "thanks, bye." and she just said "uh hmmm." and CLICK! I couldnt believe it!!!! read more

This is an AMAZING church with Loving people who really care for each other, and accept everyone wherever they are on Life's journey. If you are looking to fill that void inside that you keep ignoring, give the people and this place a chance. They are loving and kind and accepting of ALL. Oh, and on a side note...the music is incomparable. read more

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I truly feel at peace when I enter this church. Senior Minister Elena Larrsen is absolutely amazing. I brought my family to hear her service and they can't wait to come back. This church accepts everyone, no matter who you are and that is a beautiful thing. I encourage you to come and join us. I've met such amazing people. I'm so glad I gave it a shot coming from a non religious background. It has made my life better in so many ways. read more

First Congregational Church UCC - Such a beautiful view. - Churches Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I belong to this church and think it is fabulous. It is a wondeful building (one of the first churches in lb) with great architecture. The choir is phenomonal in my opinion with a great pipe organ. The church is liberal and open and affirming....(that means that don't bash anyone including gays and lesbian). We are largely about social justice. The people are friendly...I haven't been to church on a consistent basis for 12 years until i started going here. the sign on the minister's office says something to the effect "think for yourself, your minister could be wrong" and that sums it up beautifully about the way of thinking there. read more

It's true that I've grown up in this church and I love it just as much now as when I was a kid running around what seemed like endless hallways and staircases. The beauty of the historical sanctuary still amazes me! We are a congregation made up of thoughtful, passionate and justice-minded people who "talk the talk AND walk the walk". Lots of changescoming our way in the near future but we have been around for over 100 years and will continue to thrive and be welcoming of all. read more

A mixing of old and new; a blend of tradition and modernization. You do not have to be a Christian in order to enjoy the services. The people are kind, the ushers are warm and inviting, the congregation carries this level of spirituality that I have simply not found in many places. The building itself is warm, inviting, and a true beauty and sight to behold. The choir is powerful and the old organ upon the wall really beckons you with the power of the divine, in whatever form you let it manifest for you. This place truly means a lot to this neighborhood and it really is a blessing to all who walk in here just to feel the resonance and positive energy that has been put into this place over the years. It is not your "Doom and Gloom", "Fire and Brimstone" church! It is a peaceful, serene environment that will teach you something if you just open up and listen. read more

This is a liberal church that values learning and questioning and honors each individual's spiritual journey. My wife and I were married in this church in 1986, and we have been coming to it ever since. Our two children grew up with the wonderful youth program. It has so many children with great teachers and fun outings. Our kids made life-long friends as they went off to college. This church is devoted to justice and serving the community. It hosts a weekly drop-in center for 400+ homeless, a summer day camp for underserved children, an after- school tutoring program for those same neighborhood children, and it is the site for the city's annual Christmas Store for low income residents. It opens its doors for rainy day and winter shelters for the homeless, for orientation programs for new parolees and for affordable counseling for HIV/AIDS and domestic violence. The congregation values intellectual sermons that are challenging and thought-provoking, and seventeen members are ordained clergy. All the members are extremely friendly and outgoing. They won't make you feel awkward or ignore you. Most amazing is the beautiful 100 year old mahogany sanctuary and 5-manual Moeller organ that support many musical events such as the Mozart Festival and the CSULB Winterfest concert. There is a chime choir for the youngest, a youth bell choir, and a robust children's choir. There is an adult bell choir and an adult chant choir in addition to the sanctuary choir. They frequently add instrumental music to the service. Several of the choir members are soloists and composers in other groups. There is a poet in residence who has collaborated on new music with the choir director in addition to providing many artistic contributions to the litanies and calls to worship. Adult education meets before the service. In 1992 it became an Open and Affirming church, and approximately 40% of the members are LGBT. read more

First congregational Church of Long Beach is a warm friendly church open to all persons. As a person with a disability who uses a wheelchair I have found this church extremely accessible. Though the church building is almost 100 years old, there is a large elevator to all levels and there are fully ADA accessible restrooms that have been installed. There are some limitations for seating due to the period structure of the church, however assistance is cheerfully provided in assisting anyone with questions. I have been a member for over 20 years and love this church. We have a new assistant pastor and a new pastor is coming on August 18, 2013. I look forward to seeing you at church any Sunday at 10:00 am. read more

Located in the heart of downtown Long Beach, this beautiful, historical church is a warm, welcoming santuary for all. When I became a member around 2003, I especially liked the fact they are an all-inclusive, liberal church; welcoming to any and all who are seeking their higher power-----and they shout this fact 'from the rooftop'. I also like the weekly 'coffee break' after each service, where we were able to mingle and meet other church members, etc. read more

I called this church today because it is a pick-up point for a homeless shelter that provides shelter services. I called and spoke with "Ruth" who was rude and short, not to mention un-friendly, un-welcoming and lacked the professional skills necessary to represent the church and its efforts in serving the homeless community in Long Beach. I had to prompt her with the information I had been given by the Long Beach Multi-Service Center for her to figure out where her church had the pick up point, what times they picked up and if the times were correct for pick up at 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. today, a rainy and very cold day. A homeless man whom I had met a few mins. earlier was in need of shelter, and to send him to the correct place at the correct time, I called ahead to confirm the information I had been given. Ruth was unprofessional, rude, and not helpful in the least. When I asked her name, she replied, "Yours first". Weird. She's the professional, I'm just a stay at home mom, trying to help out a cold, elderly guy looking for a warm place to stay that was not booked, as he explained it. Too bad, from other reviews about this church, the pastors there, probably are unaware of Ruth's incompetence and ugly attitude. read more

I grew up Lutheran but then moved to Hollywood and didn't get up on Sundays for 20 years until I adopted 2 kids. Then, I spent quite a bit of time shopping around for a church where I could bring them to Sunday School, and there was a children's program, but I didn't have to feel like a hypocrite for attending a Christian church when I'd been a Buddhist for two decades or more. My friend actually found First Church and invited me to come and check it out. it's the most beautiful church by far in Long Beach and a city landmark with beautiful stained glass and rose windows and gothic architecture. There's a major pipe organ played with gusto and expertise every week and a choir that makes interesting choices. A lot of people belong to this church just for the music. I like the children's programs, the fact that the pastoral staff expects you to be intelligent and think for yourself (The pastor has a sign on his office: Your minister could be wrong: Think for yourself.), the thought-provoking sermons and the ecumenical bent. It's also an open and affirming church, about half the congregation is gay and half is straight. My kids love the choir and the church and it's home to them. I have considered going elsewhere, but there's just nothing else like it where I can get the traditional elements of church I enjoy, the beauty and music, and yet find no hellfire or damnation, only positive messages. The people are very interesting here too. read more

As a wedding venue it's beautiful. The church building is wonderful, the reception hall is big enough for 100 guests. We hired Lelani Mandac as the church coordinator. She was fantastic! Without her, we'd have had a very difficult time because the church staff could have been a little nicer. We always felt we were bothering them, smiles were rare. Lelani was worth every bit of the fee she changed. Parking is limited and not terribly convenient. I'd recommend First Congregational Church, Long Beach as a wedding venue, but only if you also hire Lelani. read more