The Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego is a highly valued staple in the San Diego GLBT community. MCC is a church that celebrates diversity, promotes inclusiveness and advocates for social justice. They have been offering faith based teachings for 40 years in San Diego. In 1970, The Metropolitan Community Church was founded by Howard Williams and a group of twelve who were seeking a denomination in which they could worship freely without having to be afraid of the traditional churches’ reaction to their sexual orientation. A place that would offer worship and acceptance for not only themselves, but others who were GLBT.

The church has had a long and rich history having moved from its original location at the Chapel of the Chimes, to holding its services at The Center in Hillcrest, to its current location at 2633 Denver Street in San Diego. “We are here. We’ve moved outside the traditional GLBT community like Hillcrest but we haven’t left anyone behind, we are still part of the community as a whole,” stated Lee Bowman, Minister of Administration & Communications. The church’s varying location changes haven’t hindered this place of worship from taking part in the community.

Ever since the first San Diego Pride, the Metropolitan Community Church has taken part in celebrating this landmark day in the GLBT community. “Ever since the first Pride, we have been a contingent” stated Reverend Dan Koeshall, “we’ve always and still will be taking part in both the parade and the festival.”

One of the main themes that this church promotes and emphasizes is its unyielding message of inclusivity for all, this denomination was founded on the principle of worship and love and that is a tradition that the Metropolitan Community Church continues to strive for. “I want this church to be about bridge building. I don’t want to be a part of this ‘us against them’ mentality that many others have. God loves all of us unconditionally, not just some things and not the others,” stated Koeshall.

After 40 years, the church continues to live its mission. To bring people closer to God and one another, creating community and impacting individual lives. The church not only provides worship services but also provides support groups, outreach, Sunday school, children & family support and a nursery for all of its church goers. The services provided are only a small portion of what this MCC does as a whole as they have always been heavily involved in the GLBT community, and Pride is no different.

Alisan Rowland, Minister of Special Projects, spearheads the church’s involvement in Pride and has represented the church in this event many times in the past. “Pride is a wonderful opportunity for people to see our church and know that God loves them no matter who they are. Getting out and celebrating the community and who we are is the best part of Pride,” stated Rowland.

With worship services held every Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., the Metropolitan Community Church creates an inviting atmosphere anyone who has been to this church will tell you it is unlike any other church they have attended before. It is a place of love and understanding that nurtures GLBT spirits while giving the community a place of faith to call their own. “The key differences between our denomination and others is that we are an open and affirming denomination to all people. We’re a Christian church but we don’t beat people over the head with the Bible, we’re tolerant, but more than that, we celebrate diversity. People can truly be themselves. The Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego is located at 2633 Denver Street in San Diego. For more information or for their list of community events, visit www.themetchurch.org.