Be The Hope! The Story of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica
September 2025: BE THE HOPE: SECOND EDITION
First UMC is pleased to announce that a second edition of First UMC member Jerry Brown’s book: Be the Hope! The Story of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica, will be available to pick up after worship in the Fireside Room, as part of the History and Archives Exhibit, or at the Welcome Table. Included is a new chapter written by Jerry encapsulating 2018-2025; a new forward by Rev. Batson; and a new set of photographs. Be sure to pick up your copy!
Click on the book cover below to download the
pdf version of the 2nd Edition book
From 2018: First UMC is pleased to offer the online pdf of Be The Hope! The Story of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica, written by First UMC member Jerry Brown.
In 1975, Jerry wrote the Centennial History of First United Methodist Church in monthly installments, overviewing each decade of the church up to the 100th Anniversary. In this book, Jerry recounts the span of 144 years, starting from 1875 to the present, with historical photos and documents illustrating each era. We are excited to offer a downloadable pdf here (see below.)
We thank Jerry Brown for his many years of dedication towards keeping the history alive for us at First UMC. As Rev. Patricia Farris says in her foreword to the book, “We are grateful to First UMC member Jerry Brown, for bringing his faith, his sense of humor, his love of God and the church, and his professional experience as a writer and journalist, to the writing of “Be the Hope! The Story of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica.”
If you would like to have a printed version of the book, please contact the church office (310) 393-8258.