First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles

First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles is an independent congregation affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. Since its founding in 1877 the church has been a leader in social justice activism for the Unitarian Universalist faith, and for the city of Los Angeles. Its embrace of progressive causes and sometimes radical politics have earned it a reputation as both a place of controversy and a beacon of justice. Its affiliated organization, Urban Partners Los Angeles, provides numerous programs in the neighborhood around the church.LocationFirst Unitarian Church is located at 2936 West 8th Street in Los Angeles. Located on the border between the Koreatown and Westlake neighborhoods of Los Angeles, and three blocks from the LA Metro stop at Wilshire and Vermont, First Church serves a racially and economically diverse population. The neighborhood around First Church was engulfed in the 1992 Los Angeles riots that followed the Rodney King beating in 1991. Grocery stores and shops in the area were burned to the ground. In response, First Church opened its doors to the neighborhood and began Food Distribution and Community Development programs which continue to this day under the auspices of the Urban Partners Los Angeles, Inc., also offering ESL and math tutoring in English and Spanish.