Located centrally in San Jose's Japantown, the Wesley United Methodist Church has been providing a place for worship, education and fellowship for over one-hundred years, ministering and serving people from all over the Santa Clara Valley. Started in 1895 by pioneer Issei Christians the church had its first structure by 1913 which was on the present site of the church today. Since then, the church has grown rapidly, not only in members, but also with the wide variety of services that it provides and organizations that it supports. The church itself is made up of a number of organizations including three different choirs, including one for children; Church School for children of all ages; Bible Study in both Japanese and English. There are also fellowship programs and study groups for people of all ages, which includes the Torigumi, a neighborhood fellowship that provides support and care during times of need and offers a sense of community. There is a large number of annual events sponsored by the Wesley United Methodist Church including cultural events such as the New Year's Ozoni, the Shinnen Kai, the Nikkei Matsuri Japantown Community Festival and the Mochitsuki, as well as Western Style and Religious events such as a ski trip, Easter breakfast, a gold tournament, a church picnic, a family camp, the Aki Matsuri Church Bazaar and the Hanging of the Greens Christmas Party. There are also summer camps and a variety of sports tournaments, picnics and potlucks planned throughout the year. As well as providing services to their members, the Wesley United Methodist Church also provides community service, reaching out through organizations to a number of people with a variety of needs. The church participates in the ACTS for the Homeless and InnVisions programs which provide counseling, training, shelter and child care for the homeless and needy in the San Jose area. They also provide support for the Yu-Ai Kai, a senior service center in the Japantown area; and prepare and serve dinner once a week at the Commercial Street Inn, a shelter for men and women. The Saffron Kai offers a warm welcome to newcomers from Japan, offering new friendships and ease in adjusting to American life. Finally, the Wesley United Methodist Church sponsors the Cub Scout Pack 201, the Boy Scout Troop 201 and the Brownie Troop 1150.
Jim Dickey, "San Jose Tour Offers Unique History: Japantown Architecture is a Window into a History Rich with Bigotry, Beauty, and Survival", San Jose Mercury News, Wednesday, 4 May 1994, Morning Final Edition, Extra 2 Sec., p.2 Laura Kurtzman, "A Mark of Faith: Japantown Church Reaches 100th Year", San Jose Mercury, Monday, 5 June 1995, Morning Final Edition, Local Sec., p.1B Richard Sheinin, "Houses of the Lord: Habitat for Humanity Volunteers Build A Future Not Just a Shelter for a Family", Saturday 3 June 1995, Morning Final Edition, Religion and Ethics Sec., p.1E
Erin Kimura
