Hollywood United Methodist Church

The Hollywood UMC is a wonderful church that supports our community in so many ways, I personally love the bells rung on Sundays that echo through the hills of Hollywood, they are so beautiful — Beautiful classic church and very nice people.

Seemed like a lovely place with great people and of course a great location!

As a life long Methodist I wanted to find a church when I moved to Los Angeles in 2008. I visited Hollywood UMC because it came up first in my search and stayed because of the friendly, caring, loving people I found there. It’s a great place to worship and feel God work.

Very cool shooting. I’ve been inside several times, it’s spacious as any church is and reminds me of the gothic /​neo classic architecture found in Europe. A much smaller scale of the Washington National Cathedral. The acoustics are perfect for voice projection and music. I attended a musical event here and there is no bad seating.
Parking is plentiful, as there is a lot adjacent that they also use for Hollywood Bowl events. Oh yeah, and I’m sure the Sunday services are nice as well. :)

I found HUMC over 7 years ago on a visit to Los Angeles. They were in the midst of their summer Crossflix sermon series and I was so excited that one of the movies they’d be featuring was Kevin Smith’s DOGMA. That told me everything I needed to know about the church. As a lifelong United Methodist I quickly found my church home in Los Angeles and haven’t left. If you’re looking for a worship experience full of wonderful people and Christian tradition that celebrates Jesus and his tenets, this is the place for you!

It’s a great feeling when you realize that you have found your new church «home» and for me, that home is HUMC. I’ve only been attending for about two years, but there is so much to love about it. First and foremost are the people, who are among the most open and loving that you’ll find anywhere. Its congregation is large enough that you can come and go quietly if you want, but I assure you that you’ll be missing out on meeting some quality people. The other decisive factor for me in choosing a church is the message. I really appreciate that the sermons on Sunday assume that the congregation is intelligent, and it reliably incorporates a current event or example to make God’s word relevant for how we should live in the here and now. The message of both the church and the sermons is one of «inclusive love,» which is just as evident in HUMC’s ministries and community outreach as it is on Sunday mornings.
The congregation itself is fairly diverse with a nice mix in terms of age, family composition, sexuality, ethnicity, social class, etc. I don’t feel comfortable in churches where I am the only (insert adjective) person, and that has never been the case at HUMC. The building is also gorgeous with the high ceilings, stained glass windows, and stone walls. It evokes reverence and creates an atmosphere of worship. While it gets even more beautiful during holidays, it would be a shame to only visit a couple times a year.
Pro tip: You can bring your well-​behaved dog if you sit up in the balcony! Our dog loves the sermons!

I’ve been attending this church for a little over 2 years and you will not find a more accepting, friendly and positive group of people anywhere. They don’t practice the «Love the sinner, hate the sin» BS that I’ve heard previous churches subscribe to.
This church truly does love everyone, just as Jesus intended. Their all inclusive policy and work in the community is incredible. I’ve worked the Tuesday homeless lunch and saw first hand how much this church means to the community.
If you are new to LA or looking for a great community of people I can not recommend this place enough.

I LOVE this church! My hubby and I are new to the area. I was missing my family and decided we should find a church family. I found this church after a bit of online searching. It had me at «comedy church.» We have been attending for a few weeks now and even started attending Wednesday night bible study/​improv. Don’t let «comedy» or «improv» scare you, this is still church and though its a bit wacky, interactive, and less formal. It’s warm, it’s joyful, it’s welcoming to EVERYONE. Pastor Jane always captures and keeps my attention. Her sermons are funny, eloquent, and motivating. I find bible study to be an open dialogue that challenges me and inspires me. I am more at ease and closer to God since I found this most very special place. Check it out!
#open hearts
#open minds
#open doors

I attended a wonderful Christmas eve service here. Beautiful choir, and lovely service.
Plenty of parking in their parking lot.
Best of all it is really close to Hollywood and Highland, so you can walk over there for lunch after the service.

I was invited to this church by a friend because I am Christian and work in comedy. I am a member of Upright Citizen’s Brigade and perform regularly everywhere from I.O. to Second City to The Moth. This church is amazing. Pastor Jane who attended Second City in Chicago gives the most heartwarmingly funny sermons every week. On Halloween she dressed like the Bride of Frankenstein in support of marriage Equality even for the «Undead.» This church is all inclusive of people from all walks of life and the humor aspect really brightens up Sunday service. God is a comedian. Life is funny. Pastor Jane reminds us to not sweat the small stuff and instead concentrate on the joy around us. Christmas brings us «Ugly Sweater/​Beautiful Spirt» service complete with a hilarious fashion show. This is quite possibly the best church I have ever been too. God gave me the talent to make people laugh and I cherish the opportunity to be able to share that in his honor for others. If you are looking for a place where you are entertained and inspired that is warm and inviting then this is your church. I have never looked so forward to going to church in my life.

I have to share that this place was absolutely not what I expected — and that’s a good thing. When I was invited to «Comedy Church,» I came half-​expecting Muppets hanging from the chandeliers and an atmosphere of kooky abandon, but found no such thing and left with an incredible amount of respect for everyone here and a smile on my heart.
Sunday services are lively, and the congregation is completely engaged. Services are thoughtful and funny in thought-​provoking ways that really ask you to consider bigger concepts and your relationship with God. I have to agree with Daniel F here… «If you are looking for a place where you are entertained and inspired that is warm and inviting then this is your church.»

It’s tough to go to a new church… often feels awkward with people either trying too hard to make you feel welcome or not trying hard enough. I love this church because it’s truly welcoming. It’s fine to show up late (though the 11AM start time is already really nice), it’s fine to be a wreck, it’s fine if you don’t really feel like talking to anyone. You can just come and sit for an hour (the sermons are short and sweet) and then go on with your day feeling renewed. The music’s great. And if you really want to join a community of cool, interesting, loving people, then that’s available too. A good church is hard to find, and this is a great one. It’s ideal for those of us who have been wounded in other church experiences and were ready to write the whole thing off.

so happy to have found such a wonderful church in Hollywood!
I have to admit, I haven’t been to church consistently since my childhood and decided to try this church as a United Methodist from Ohio on Easter Sunday. I have returned many Sunday’s since then, and will continue to. Great vibe, welcoming environment, beautiful church. Very glad to have found Hollywood United Methodist!

The thought of me actively going to church is a shock to EVERYONE. Seriously, I have not gone to church on a regular basis since I was about 17 and I am 33 now. Like many, I started slacking when I went off to college and I totally stopped after one too many bad experiences. I always held people to a very high standard of acceptance also because of my Mom who is not only a minister, but also very embraceable and loves everyone. Unfortunately a lot of Christians do not follow the lead of Jesus Christ and seem like some of the most mean people if you are not willing to conform to their brand of belief. Well, after much inner searching, I decided that I missed being part of a congregation that I actually liked. Now mind you, I did not grow up Methodist, but joined the faith with my family like 10 years ago, but never really did much with it. It was more of a formality I guess, but I am so glad that I did because it led me to Hollywood United Methodist Church.
HUMC truly follows the open teaching of Jesus and really focus on being the change versus just praying for it. They are openly LGBT inclusive (not just friendly), do fantastic works battling issues of homelessness, works closely with those with HIV (long time ministry), participates in CSAs and even better, they have room for those who have and those who do not have kids. There is so much you can do there if you want to make this world a better place.
Also, if you have not seen this church, you are in for a treat. It is absolutely breathtaking. I love it. Also, I love the mixture of contemporary and traditional service. It definitely appeals to my mixed upbringing having a Roman Catholic Dad and a Protestant Mom. Also, don’t worry if you don’t know anyone; people will greet you with open arms and they really mean it. I have not felt so comfortable in a church in so long! Plus, they have no problem with my piercings, very visible tattoos, what I wear or any thing else. So if you are looking for a new place of worship that encourages great self exploration and you being the change you want to see in the world, definitely check them out.

Nice church. Well decorated, and great accoustic for choral.
Very to have people performing in this church.
Although, it’s always hard to find the right church to go to, I definitely recommend this church to those who are looking for a santuary of peace to give it a try.
Eevn though I am not a member there, my visit was memorable.
I checked the surrounding, and it is quite welcoming.
Hope you will find in this church the sanctuary you are looking for and also make new friends.
recommended

A church unlike no other I’ve been a part of. I grew up United Methodist, and love the progressive way this congregation lives out John Wesley’s theology of inclusiveness and social justice.
The neogothic sanctuary is beautiful, and the pipe organ majestic. Within this traditional setting you will find a blended worship experience that combines traditional hymns and classical choral music with contemporary songs accompanied by guitar, drums and keyboards.
The message is welcoming and progressive — «All Are Welcome» really does mean all. The red AIDS ribbon on the bell tower calls out their inclusiveness, which extends to age, station in life, ethnicity, etc. The church embraces its urban setting, active in the community on justice issues and working directly to support the homeless and those living with HIV and AIDS.
This is a growing church community that reflects the youth and energy of Hollywood. Inspiring worship, mission work that seeks to make a real difference in the community, and an atmosphere that makes even first time visitors feel at home right away.

I was not raised in the church, but my immediate family is a mixture of Catholic, Baptist and born again Christians. Though, I was raised to believe in God I never really had a understanding about attending church or church life. Once I actually dedicated my life to the faith at 19, it has been a long journey finding a church home, one where you can actually come as you are. Presently, this is a church that I have been attending actively. I just want to say that I have felt so much love and kindness from so many people here. UMC is open and accepting of the Gay Community, which is a big plus for me because I have a lot of gay friends. I don’t want to feel like I can’t invite my gay friends to church, for fear that someone will act rude or hurtful to them. The principles are basic christian teachings, and the word or doctrine has never been twisted or altered.
UMC is headed by a woman, another major plus for me. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting pastor Kathy, and she is very pleasant, warm and down to earth. Most importantly, I feel that she is a woman of God-​a fierce leader and a no nonsense type of person. She doesn’t hesitate to speak the truth in love. It’s refreshing to see that a woman can lead a church with such strength and devotion. This church is in the heart of Hollywood, but it doesn’t have a «Hollywood Vibe.» There are many familiar faces from the media, and a few Hollywood heavy weights, but there is more of an artistic vibe than a celebrity vibe. These are people who may have exciting careers, but at the end of the day they have faith and a connection to a loving God.
There a several ministries and outreach groups, a strong sense of community and open arms to the homeless community. After service there is always delicious food in the garden, and lots of friendly people who are ready to fellowship with each other. The music is spirit filled traditional hymns. I would love to see them mix it up a notch to more contemporary style worship songs. There is so much ambiance and beauty to the sanctuary. More importantly, when I come here after a long week I feel a strong sense of God’s presence and enormous peace. Many of us know that in any church there are hurtful hurting people. It’s quite unfortunate-​but very real. I feel good saying that this is overall a SAFE church. Whether you’re in between churches, or are coming from a place of great disappointment, this is definitely a very cool place to land.
You can be an artistic, colorful, free spirited, eccentric soul or just plain vanilla ice cream. This is truly a place where one will feel welcomed.

I was raised Catholic and my husband was raised Anglican. However, we had both drifted away from church for a variety of reasons. When we had children we knew it was important to us to be a part of a church family, but we struggled to find a place that felt like the right fit.
Just over a year ago we decided to try «that church with the red ribbons» that we drove by each morning and I can tell you that we are so happy that we did! Hollywood UMC is a warm, friendly place where all people are truly welcome. We actually love going each week — something that I never imagined myself saying about church service. The various sermon series are interesting and engaging — tied to books and even films. The Pastors are kind and accessible, the childrens’ programs are fabulous, and there are all kinds of ways you can get involved if you are interested in doing so.
I am grateful to have found such a perfect place to strengthen my faith. I know that my husband and I have help and support teaching our children to do their best to be loving, giving people in the world. If you’re looking for a church I so encourage you to visit Hollywood UMC and just experience for yourself how very special it is.

I started looking for a church when my partner and I moved to Los Angeles in 2003. I was raised (Southern) United Methodist and while I loved my small-​town church home, I knew that my lesbian lifestyle was frowned upon in teachings. So when we moved from GA to CA, I didn’t even attempt to visit any Methodist churches in the area. Instead, I turned to UU, MCC, Lutheran, and Episcopalian congregations for several years and tried my best to fit in. While I always felt welcome, I never had a true connection to any of the churches I visited and I soon gave up and figured «church» was for other people.
After our children were born, we felt the pull to strengthen our faith and we decided to visit the Church with the Red Ribbons after passing it on Hollywood/​Highland for several years. My only regret is that I didn’t find this church home sooner. It certainly would have calmed my chaotic LA life.
As soon as we walked in the doors, I felt like God had thrown me a lifevest. I’ve been attending for a year and recently transferred my membership to a church that should have been my home long ago. The people are friendly and are multi-​faithed. There are lots of activities for singles, families, kids and they have a wonderful children’s ministry. The pastors are warm and approachable (how many people can say they have their preacher friended on Facebook?!) and the congregation has become my second family.

First, I feel like a disclaimer is needed here. I grew up in the South going to a United Methodist Church every Sunday. In addition, I went to Divinity School. I am not a minister, but I studied with others that went on to lead in the Methodist Church. My church attendance has dropped since graduation from Div School. I have a tendency to grade the minister’s sermon if it doesn’t grab me from the beginning (which happens very frequently). I feel like church should a period of reflection not an academic critique of the minister’s interpretation of the Bible. And (yes there is one more thing) my father has become a part-​time minister, leading a small Methodist Church in Tennessee.
When I first went to Hollywood United Methodist Church (HUMC) I felt overdressed and like Dorothy in Munchinland. This was not the church I grew up in. People were very casual, some in jeans and shorts. Plus there was a solo that day, a song from Godspell sung by a woman in a leotard. Remember, I grew up in the South were we always went to church in our Sunday best and the solo is a traditional church song. It was a great experience, the congregation was very friendly and I didn’t grade the sermon.
The first thing you notice about HUMC when approaching is the «20 foot high Red Ribbon of love adorning the church tower at Highland and Franklin» (
). HUMC has a very active HIV/​AIDS Ministry along with their Homeless Ministry.
HUMC is a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network. {Reconciling Ministries Network is a national grassroots organization that exists to enable full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the United Methodist Church, both in policy and practice (
)}.
HUMC has a detailed website in which they list out their beliefs. One being, «We believe that when you truly embrace diversity, you embrace God, that all are fully welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, occupation, or station in life» (
).
They preach that God loves us all, and it is seen in their actions!