Wildfires recently ravaged parts of Pasadena and Altadena, destroying several places of worship, including the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, a mosque, a Catholic parish, and multiple Protestant churches.
The Pasadena Jewish Temple, an 80-year-old synagogue, was completely engulfed by flames, leaving only a few walls and the sacred Torah scrolls, which were saved by the cantor, Ruth Berman Harris, and a few companions. Despite the devastation, congregants visited the site to say their goodbyes to the places where they had celebrated important milestones in their faith and family lives.
Berman Harris and her team faced many obstacles, including road closures, to rescue the Torah scrolls before the fire consumed the temple. The Torah is considered the heartbeat of any Jewish community, and its preservation was a top priority.
Several other houses of worship were also destroyed, including Masjid Al-Taqwa, a mosque beloved by its diverse community. The mosque, which had been a gathering place for African American and young professional families, had become a place of joy and belonging, especially during Ramadan celebrations.
The destruction of the mosque has left its tight-knit community in mourning, with one of the board members losing both his home and the mosque. Community fundraising efforts have already raised over $100,000 to help rebuild, and neighboring mosques are offering space for prayers until the community can regroup.
Similarly, the Altadena Community Church, a congregation of about 60 people, saw its building, along with many of its members’ homes, destroyed. Despite the loss, the church’s pastor emphasized the strength of the congregation, declaring that “WE are the church!” and that worship could happen anywhere.
Faith Communities in Pasadena and Altadena Unite After Wildfires Destroy Places of Worship
Other churches, like Altadena United Methodist Church and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, also suffered severe losses. The Methodist church’s congregation, in particular, had been planning a wedding for a couple who recently joined the church, and the destruction of their church was heartbreaking for the members.
However, like the other faith communities, they have found solace in their collective faith and the support of each other during this difficult time. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, although its building was destroyed, is organizing a network of support for its members.
The destruction also impacted the Parish of St. Matthew, an Episcopal church in Pacific Palisades, where clergy residences were lost, though the main sanctuary and other buildings were spared. Congregational members have come together online to continue worship and offer support for one another.
The same devastation was seen at Corpus Christi Catholic Church and Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, both of which were destroyed by the fires. Despite the loss of their physical spaces, faith leaders across these communities emphasized that their congregations remain strong and committed to rebuilding.
Synagogues in areas away from the fires have offered their spaces for services, and Jewish community leaders are providing a range of support to displaced congregants. Rabbi Zushe Cunin, whose Chabad center in the area was also damaged, described the scene as “apocalyptic” as he and other staff worked to ensure the safety of children from their school and save religious scrolls.
While the immediate focus for faith leaders is on helping their congregants who have lost everything, including homes and possessions, the longer-term goal remains rebuilding and finding hope in their faith communities.
