Interfaith Unity After Southern California Wildfires

In January 2025 twin wind-whipped fires swept Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Pasadena, destroying homes and damaging or razing more than a dozen houses of worship. At Kehillat Israel, 300 of 900 families lost homes; the Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church burned completely.

After the Los Angeles wildfires, clergy crossed denominational lines and forged new bonds

The fires struck neighborhoods already facing housing inequities; Altadena’s Black residents, who gained homeownership after redlining, now confront developer pressure on vulnerable land. Faith leaders must address spiritual trauma while navigating insurance, land-use rules, and basic-needs assistance.

The Independent

Rabbi Amy Bernstein (Kehillat Israel), Rev. Grace Park (Pacific Palisades Presbyterian), Pastor BJ King (LoveLand LifeCenter), Pastor Jonathan DeCuir (Victory Bible Church), and Pastor Mayra Macedo-Nolan (Clergy Community Coalition) have coordinated relief and rebuilding.

The Independent

• Jan 2025: Fires ignite, >12 worship sites damaged.

After the Los Angeles wildfires, clergy crossed denominational lines and forged new bonds

• Apr 26 2026: Groundbreaking for Fountain of Life Church sanctuary.

The Independent

• May 15 2026: Kehillat Israel to return Torah to rebuilt sanctuary.

After the Los Angeles wildfires, clergy crossed denominational lines and forged new bonds

The interfaith response shows how religious groups can pool resources, influence policy, and address inequities. Joint advocacy secured equal priority for worship sites in city rebuilding plans and sparked affordable-housing discussions on former church parcels, linking spiritual recovery to community revitalization.

After the Los Angeles wildfires, clergy crossed denominational lines and forged new bonds

Leaders said the disaster “pushed us closer to one another” and spurred cross-denominational partnerships. Pastor DeCuir reported meetings with Governor Gavin Newsom and chairs the Legacy Land Project. Pastor Macedo-Nolan’s coalition lobbied for worship sites to receive the same rebuilding priority as businesses. Pastor King moved services online, created a therapist-referral network, and said “there is no choice” but to act.

The Independent

Some residents warned developers could acquire vulnerable parcels, threatening Altadena’s historic Black homeownership. Rev. Michael Lewis argued churches are not landlords and urged using the Altadena Community Church lot for affordable housing or a performance space, highlighting competing post-fire land-use visions.

After the Los Angeles wildfires, clergy crossed denominational lines and forged new bonds

• “If our hearts must break, let them break open,” — Rabbi Amy Bernstein, Rabbi, Kehillat Israel

After the Los Angeles wildfires, clergy crossed denominational lines and forged new bonds

• “It’s a sense of mutual affection and respect, learning from each other and leaning on one another,” — Rev. Grace Park, Associate Pastor, Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church

After the Los Angeles wildfires, clergy crossed denominational lines and forged new bonds

• “Denominational lines have been crossed,” — Pastor Jonathan DeCuir, Pastor, Victory Bible Church

After the Los Angeles wildfires, clergy crossed denominational lines and forged new bonds

• “When people start seeing churches rebuilding in Altadena, they’re going to feel like it’s going to be OK because the churches are coming back,” — Pastor Mayra Macedo-Nolan, Executive Director, Clergy Community Coalition

After the Los Angeles wildfires, clergy crossed denominational lines and forged new bonds

The May 15 Torah procession will be the first synagogue return to the Pacific Palisades. Fountain of Life Church aims to finish its new sanctuary by Easter 2027. Debate continues on using the Altadena Community Church lot for affordable housing or a performance venue.

The Independent