Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach collection, 1984-2002

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Summary

Creators:
Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach
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.
Extent:
4 archive cartons. 1.8 linear feet.
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach collection, Coll2008-039, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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

Acquisition information:
Acquired from the Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach, March 21, 2007.
Processing information:

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.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

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).

Preferred citation:

Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach collection, Coll2008-039, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.

Location of this collection:
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007, US
Contact:
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
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