Metropolitan Community Church at 150 Eureka Street - 1985 (Updated over a year ago)

The Metropolitan Community Church was built in the 1920s or 1930s, probably as a Lutheran denomination serving the Scandinavian community in the area. It was sold to the American Baptists and later to the Voice of Pentecost. In 1979, they sold it to MCC; when they discovered MCC was a gay church, they unsuccessfully tried to void the sale. The MCC was the first religious organization founded specifically to welcome gays and lesbians, and became a major source of support for the community during the AIDS epidemic. Historically, religious organizations did not accept homosexuality nor openly gay or lesbian members. Troy Perry, a Protestant pastor kicked out of his church, founded MCC in 1968 to welcome gay and lesbian members and to celebrate homosexuality as a gift from God. In 1970, the Eureka congregation became the second one to be established. Initially they met at Jackson's Bar then several other locations for 10 years: California Hall on Polk Street, St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Diamond Heights, Steward Presbyterian on Guerrero Street (until destroyed by arson), and then Trinity Presbyterian on Capp Street. In 1991, Steve Carson reported that the 20 year old congregation numbered 320 and was primarily gay or lesbian, but not entirely. Although other churches began welcoming gays and lesbians, the MCC had 250 churches and was the only option in some places. MCC is attempting to diversify to welcome more women and people of color and struggling with assimilation versus radicalization (i.e., Domestic Partnerships, Gay Republicans, vs. Queer Nation, Act Up.). About 75% of the congregation are men. The first member died of AIDS in 1983; by 1986, the HIV ministry was the major focus; in 1990 the church was fire bombed. At the time of the interview, 2/3 of the congregation is HIV positive and 2-3 people die each week. Services changed as the group dealt with grief and frequent funerals. As members came from different religious backgrounds, the church responded with a variety of services: At 9 am, a briefer service but formal. At 11 am, a big service with lots of music. In the evening, a very evangelical and gospel-oriented service. In a 1996 interview with Katherine Messier, the group continues to be 75% men and 25% women. Programs established included a community center on 18th Street, a Gay deaf center, Whiptail Women's Collective, Stanford Medical trials, HIV positive support group, potlucks and workshops. The rent became unsustainable and the programs moved back to the Church. Although extensive renovations were made in the early 21st century, in 2014, the 92 active members voted to sell the building as "worn out beyond repair." They have a 5 year lease at the First Congregational Church at 1300 Polk Street.