Architect Peter C. Creamer designed the United Community Church in a Spanish Colonial Revival style in 1977. The church is designed in an octagonal plan, with an amphitheater-designed sanctuary. The space is designed for a variety of purposes including concerts, musicals and plays, as well as religious services. The church was founded in 1961 under the leadership of Dr. William Steuart McBirnie. Growing up in Glendale in the 60s, I can remember Dr. McBirnie's radio broadcasts which he called "The Voice of Americanism", a decidedly conservative view of the news of the day. Back in those days, Glendale was a very conservative mostly white, Ango-Saxon and Protestant town. It was the headquarters of the John Birch Society Western Branch and African-Americans could not be in the city limits after sundown. I seem to recall that Barry Goldwater won the Glendale vote by a wide margin although losing the general election by historic proportions. It was in this surrounding influence that conservative pastors like McBirnie thrived and drew like-minded listeners to the church.
After McBirnie retired in 1985, the church went into a slow decline, and by January 2009 had less than 50 people.
In more recent years, the church has been growing again, with a multi-ethnic population.
The United Community Church is located at 333 East Colorado Street in the city of Glendale, California. Please do not use this image in any media without my permission. © All rights reserved.
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