The Chinese United Methodist Church (UMC) of Los Angeles, under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Ma, felt that an English-speaking ministry was necessary, as each generation of their congregation was becoming more assimilated to the western culture around them. The following is an account of our history.
1977
We began the mission church in Orange County in a small chapel at the Orange UMC in the city of Orange. Rev. Leo Hsu, Associate Pastor to the Chinese UMC was assigned to the mission church. Thirty people together with several friends, which included five core families Tom and May Lou, Ed and Mabel Joe, Eddie and Ruth Wong, Charlie and Minnie Lou, and Sen and Clarice Lew, began Sunday evening worship services. Bing Wong was the Administrative Board Chairperson. The first choir consisted of two members, Celeste Lew and pianist Arleen Lew. Craig Miller from CUMC of LA served as our Youth Director and Music Director.
1978
The church was chartered as Chinese United Methodist Church of Orange County.
1979
The Wings of Faith youth choir gave many concerts at several churches throughout Orange County, Los Angeles and even traveled to Northern California to perform. They were awarded a certificate by the United Methodist Board of Discipleship and were recognized as one of the most Outstanding Youth Groups in the United Methodist Church.
1981
CUMC of Orange County became a self-supporting church.
1988
We relocated to the Lark Ellen Christian Church in Brea.
1991
We relocated to Orangethorpe UMC in Fullerton, where we established a shared facility covenant relationship. The Administrative Board approved changing our name to Cornerstone United Methodist Church.
2003
We relocated to Placentia UMC and established a new shared facility covenant relationship, where we serve at the present time.
We have been blessed through the dedicated service of many beloved pastors since our beginning: Rev. Ken Zeller, Rev. Timothy Ting, Rev. David Tsang, Rev. Daesun Chung, Rev. Jimmy Nih, Rev. Jerry Owyang, Rev. SonHye Kim, and Rev. John Mark Wang.