A Tribute to the First United Methodist Church of Burbank
CONGRESSMAN ADAM B. SCHIFF
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 125th anniversary of the First United Methodist Church of Burbank, California.
In 1883, when Burbank was a rural area with a population of a few scattered families, the community needed a place for worship, so a Sunday School was organized in the Providencia School House. One year later, on September 14, 1884, a church, located at Empire Avenue and Lincoln Street, was dedicated. After four years of use, the church wassold to a congregation member and a new church was erected in 1888, one year after the establishment of the City of Burbank. The church was established as the Providencia Church, and eventually merged with the First Methodist Episcopal Church, taking the latter's name. In 1919, construction began on a new church at Olive Avenue and Third Street, which was completed and dedicated in October of 1922.
After World War II, the church membership grew to 1,000 parishioners, signaling the need for a new church building. In 1944, a building fund campaign began and property was purchased on Glenoaks Boulevard. In 1949, another fundraising campaign was launched to construct a new church on the Glenoaks property, and one year later, construction began on the new church, which became known as the First Methodist Church of Burbank. On May 25, 1952, the first official services were held in the First Methodist Church of Burbank and Consecration Sunday was held on September 14 later that year. The full construction plan was realized in 1956 with the completion of the Education Building. In 1968, when the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged, and the entire denomination changed its name, First Methodist Church of Burbank became known as the First United Methodist Church of Burbank.
First United Methodist Church of Burbank offers a wide variety of programs and ministries to the Burbank community. The church hosts multiple Girl Scout troops, Boy Scout Troop #209, Cub Scout Pack #225, and offers opportunities for youth that include the Partners with the Parents Program and the Youth in Performing Arts Ministry. Other programs include the We Care Committee, which supports members of the congregation when they need assistance with meals, transportation and other services, as well as active chapters of the United Methodist Women and United Methodist Men organizations. In addition, members of the congregation volunteer on a regular basis at Burbank Temporary Aid Center and actively support our military by periodically sending care packages of personal items, telephone cards, books and other items to our troops overseas.
I consider it a great privilege to recognize First United Methodist Church of Burbank and I invite all Members to join me in congratulating the congregation for 125 years of service to the community.