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Guide to the Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach
Collection
Coll2008-039
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Table of contents
Title: Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach
collection
Dates: 1984-2002
Collection number: Coll2008-039
Creator:
Metropolitan Community Church Long
Beach
Collection Size: 4 archive cartons.
1.8 linear feet.
Repository:
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives.
Los Angeles, California 90007
Abstract: Video and audio tapes and CD-ROMs of conference
proceedings of the Universal Fellowship of the Metropolitan Community Church
(UFMCC) and its congregation in Long Beach (MCCLB), along with recordings of
events, lectures, sermons, and services related to religion and homosexuality,
1984-2002.
Languages: Languages represented in
the collection: English
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access
restrictions.
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in
writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner.
Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in
the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant
copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for
all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).
Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach collection, Coll2008-039, ONE
National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Acquired from the Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach, March 21,
2007.
Collection processed by Michael C. Oliveira,
June 20, 2008.
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the
National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Church Long Beach. The first called pastor was Reverend Jon Bullock.
Reverend Bullock, who served for a year and a half. The church then called
Reverend Bob Cunningham who served until 1979. During this time the church
purchased property on Raymond Street, and when they outgrew that property they
sold it and purchased property at 785 Junipero Street in Long Beach. When
Reverend Bob resigned, the church placed then "Exhorter" (MCC’s term for a
minister in training) Michael Cole in charge of the church until it could call
a pastor. In 1980, the church called Reverend Dusty Pruitt to the Pastorate. She
served until 1995. During that time the church sold its property on Junipero
Street and bought property downtown, at 1231 Locust Avenue, an abandoned
Oddfellows hall. During this time the church grew to a membership of over 300.
In 1995, under the leadership of Reverend Pruitt, the church sold the building
at 1231 Locust Avenue and did not buy another one. The church had incurred a large
construction debt to earthquake proof the property which became difficult to
service. After the property was sold, several disgruntled members in the church
led the church to call a vote of confidence for Reverend Pruitt, which in
August of 1995 she failed by a vote of 53% to 47%. After a short interim period
when Reverend Ken was the interim pastor, the church called Reverend Sandra
Turnbull, who had been a Student Clergy and protégée of Reverend Pruitt. After
several years as clergy in MCC, Reverend Turnbull resigned her credentials and
led the church to disaffiliate with MCC. The congregation that was MCC Long
Beach continues as Glory Tabernacle Community Church in Long Beach and
functions as an Independent Pentecostal GLBT congregation. The church still
does not have a permanent building.
Reverned Dusty Pruitt
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection consists of video and audio tapes and CD-ROMs of
conference proceedings of the Universal Fellowship of the Metropolitan
Community Church (UFMCC) and its congregation in Long Beach (MCCLB), along with
recordings of events, lectures, sermons, along with services related to
religion and homosexuality, 1984-2002. The collection is arranged by format in
three series: (1) VHS Videotapes, (2) Compact Audiotape Cassettes, and (3)
CD-ROMs.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this
collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Aids (Disease)--Patients, Counseling of
Audiotapes
Church and social problems--Long Beach,
Calif.
Church work with gays--Long Beach, Calif.
Gays--Religious life--Long Beach, Calif.
Homosexuality--Religious aspects
Metropolitan Community Church--Long Beach,
Calif.
Video tapes