Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) members gave a standing ovation to Attorney Al Smithson Sunday, honoring him for his crucial role in founding the denomination in San Diego in 1970.

MCC ministers to all denominations, but has a special focus on the GLBT community.

Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-39th District, City Councilmember Toni Atkins, Delores Jacobs, executive director of The Center, Nicole Murray-Ramirez, chair of the Human Relations Commission, and Nicole Cavino, a representative for Congressmember Bob Filner, D-51st District, praised Smithson for his initiative.

“Al understood how the LGBT community was isolated and hidden in the 1970s. This emotional void made it harder to ‘come out’ and harder to find community,” said Kehoe.

“MCC San Diego can be especially thankful for Al’s work. In 1970, he was aware of how many of us in the LGBT community felt hurt and betrayed by many churches. Many left organized religion because of the shame and blame that was leveled against us,” Sen. Kehoe said.

“But Al knew that religion remained important to many people, and how they craved a welcoming sanctuary. Al played a huge role in those early days … and walked the streets of Hillcrest on Friday evenings inviting LGBT folks to worship at MCC.”

Rev. David Farrell, MCC San Diego’s first pastor, told the congregation, “It took a lot of courage … in the 1970s to try and start a church for gays and lesbians …. It was a real challenge.” Farrell said Smithson introduced him to the man who became his partner of 33 years.

“He was determined to do what God called him to do,” said Farrell.

Jacobs presented Smithson with a plaque noting his accomplishments. It will hang with other plaques honoring GLBT leaders on the walls of The Center. “We can’t thank you enough,” said Jacobs.

Murray-Ramirez described Smithson as “a pioneer, a trailblazer, and one of the first openly gay attorneys” to work in San Diego.

Kehoe mentioned that Smithson became a founding board member of the Greater San Diego Business Association, which has grown into the nation’s second-largest GLBT chamber of commerce.

“Al understood the need for LGBT friendly businesses to organize. Al’s shared voice would allow them to accomplish more at City Hall. And it would allow them to use their financial might to advance protections for our community,” said Kehoe.

Rev. John Gill, who served as MCC’s interim pastor for 21 months, also presented Smithson with a plaque commending him for being the “longest serving member of the board of directors for any MCC.”

Attendance at the ceremony nearly set a record. There were 519 people at both services, which meet at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at The Center, at 3909 Centre Street in Hillcrest.