Just as the mythological phoenix rose from the ashes, so, too, has Malibu Presbyterian Church in California.
More than five years after a devastating wildfire consumed the church building and all its property, members are preparing for their first service in a new sanctuary. On Sunday, Jan. 27, they will leave their temporary facilities and worship in a new facility.
“Obviously, we’re thrilled, excited and can’t wait to be in (the new sanctuary),” said Greg Hughes, senior pastor of Malibu Presbyterian Church. “We feel like we have been wandering in the wilderness for a while, and we look forward to being on solid ground again.”
In some ways, Hughes has played the role of a modern-day Moses, leading his congregants on a sometimes nomadic journey to worship the Lord. They have gathered in other buildings and spent a chunk of their worship time together in sprung structures – or bubble-like tents.
“They’re nice and have served their purpose,” Hughes said of the temporary structures, “ but they’re not the same as a new sanctuary. Meeting in those is getting old. (The move) into the new sanctuary will solidify our church in so many ways.”
The new sanctuary and some classrooms were built on the same site of the previous facility that was ravaged by the Canyon wildfire that swept through southern California in October 2007, destroying the church and 21 other structures as it blazed across 4,500 acres. This is the first of several construction phases and cost about $10 million – all covered by the church’s insurance policy – to complete.
Hughes said the structure is in the same footprint of the former building of the church, started in 1948, but this is a different design from that of its predecessor. It’s a more modern look that will provide enhanced fire resistance and larger windows to allow those attending services to take in the beautiful scenic view of the ocean from the church that sits on a hill overlooking Santa Monica Bay.
“It’s a very stunning sanctuary that is warm and inviting; it has an intimate feel to it,” said Hughes, adding that additional construction phases will provide administrative offices, classes for the children/youth department and a fellowship hall/community center.
Hughes vividly recalls the day the fire swept through the church. He arrived around 6 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, to make final preparations for that’s day services. He and fellow church leaders and members were aware that the advancing wildfire was near, and he remembers seeing smoke in the distance that morning.
“I knew the fire was in the canyon and thought we might have to miss one service because it was getting close,” he said. “But then the police came and started evacuating people in the area. The hillside was on fire before I left. By the time I got home, our folks were watching on television as our building burned down.”
Hughes said embers from the massive blaze ignited a fire in the steeple that quickly spread throughout the structure.
Just a day earlier, Malibu Presbyterian Church had pledged $500,000 to assist with the construction of a teen center in Los Angeles. Less than 24 hours later, the church building was nothing but charred remains, a pile of burned rubble left over from a structure that sat on the hillside looking out across the ocean.
The church’s session came together, and even faced with losing its own place of worship decided to move ahead and give the money to help reach inner-city teens.
“In the midst of all this, our church continued to be one that is about giving,” Hughes said as he spoke of the generous gift the membership still made to uphold its commitment.
Just as Malibu Presbyterian gave, so did other organizations that graciously came to the aid of MPC and its membership of approximately 300.
The Malibu Jewish Center allowed the church’s preschool program to meet it its synagogue. Webster Elementary School, Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church and the Malibu Performing Arts Center also gave space to be used for services and meetings. And then there were four years spent in the temporary shelter of the tents.
“It has been a distraction; we need a building and to be able to function,” Hughes said. “But (distraction) is not what we’re about. We’re about connecting people to God, and that’s what we’ve been doing.”
A few weeks after the fire, men of Malibu Pres gather to pray on the patio.
In November members of MPC gathered to write passages of Scripture and prayers on the concrete floor of the new sanctuary during the construction process, noting that God’s Word, more than steel supports, truly is the church’s foundation.
Just last week a friendly and informal open house gave members and the public a chance to view the new sanctuary. Hughes said it was well-attended and gave people an opportunity to see just how God blessed the congregation that never let its faith waiver, even in the face of tremendous adversity.
“It was very encouraging,” he said.
On Wednesday, Jan. 23, congregants gathered once again to have a prayer and dedication service, all leading up to their first worship service in the new sanctuary.
“Everything that has happened just confirms that the church is not the building,” Hughes explained. “Our church has survived and thrived despite all we have faced. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, but in many ways it has been a blessing in disguise. We have kept on with our mission here in this community and around the world, sending mission teams to Brazil, Mexico and Haiti along with those working right here.”
That resolve shown by members of Malibu Presbyterian Church has impressed Hughes.
“Attending church has not been easy, but our commitments to each other and Christ are much stronger because of this,” Hughes said. “There were times that have been very challenging. Our church burned down, but we’re fired up for Christ. He certainly has sustained us and brought us up out of the ashes.”