Members of Montebello Plymouth Congregational Church gather for a photo to celebrate their 100th anniversary. The church grew quickly after its founding in 1913 by members of the Whittier Plymouth Congregational Church as a mission outreach for the growing Issei community. Rev. Joseph K. Fukushima was the first minister of Montebello and served the church for decades, until his passing in 1969. The church will hold a centennial banquet this Sunday, featuring performances of Japanese dance and hula. As the church look towards the 21st century, the members rejoice in their diversity and are empowered to carry on this rich legacy of faith as a people of God called to a ministry of peace, justice and a loving community.
