Our church history goes back to the Mayflower pilgrims and the early Chinese pioneers in America. The church was founded as a mission of the North Berkeley Congregational Church at the turn of the century to serve the university students and immigrant workers from China.
It was formally organized as an independent church in 1914 when the church was a focus of activities for the Chinese community in Berkeley. The congregation has been worshipping at the present location on Acton Street since 1955, and the church is associated with the United Church of Christ.
The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a Protestant Christian denomination in the Reformed tradition, and in historical continuation of the Congregational churches under the influence of New England Puritanism. The Berkeley Chinese Community Church practices Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs.
Although we are rooted in Christian heritage and traditions, we seek to apply our faith to the contemporary challenges of today’s society. As a bilingual and bicultural church, we welcome people of all ethnic and denominational backgrounds to join us to serve the Lord and to make disciples.
Our congregation in 1953 Front view of church from street