A Brief History of Plymouth Church
Plymouth Church was formed in 1904 with the merger of two Oakland congregations – Oak Chapel Congregational Church (established in 1894) and Plymouth Avenue Church (established in 1874). Our first pastor was Rev. Joseph A. Benton, a professor at what was then known as Pacific Theological Seminary (now Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley).
From its earliest period, Plymouth was a pioneer in social services and youth activities. The church sponsored a well-baby clinic in the days before the Public Health Department was established, hiring a staff that included doctors, nurses, and a clinical psychiatrist. It also operated a community recreation center with basketball courts, bowling lanes and billiard tables.
In addition to providing direct services, Plymouth’s pastors and congregation have long been known for speaking out on matters of justice. We were one of the first – and sadly, one of the few – Oakland churches to speak against the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, for example.
Plymouth’s commitment to justice continues to this day. Rev. Lois Mueller (2000-2013), who was the first woman called as pastor of Plymouth Church, organized vigils at the sites of Oakland shootings in the early 1990s, led a clergy demonstration against the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and helped organize an interfaith demonstration in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011. Rev. Marjorie Matthews, our current pastor, is the second woman and first person of color called to serve Plymouth Church. A longtime educator and activist, she is helping to lead our church in an exciting new partnership with West Oakland’s Hoover Elementary School and in the broader movement to improve public education and eliminate mass incarceration.
Recognizing that the earth and all therein are a gracious gift from God, we come together as one in the Spirit of Christ:
To affirm our faith through creative services of worship and celebration;
To create an accepting community where all can find healing, comfort, nurture and love;
To provide learning opportunities that enable people to gain a clearer sense of God’s presence and guidance into ways we can live more in harmony and love with each other and all of creation;
To work together creatively and compassionately for peace and justice for all God’s creation;
And to provide a friendly environment with various opportunities for fun and fellowship in which meaningful, joyful relationships can flourish.