OUR STORY

The church's first services took place at the Masonic Temple on Ruby Street in Redondo Beach, with twelve members and a pastor named Dr. A. Schultz. In 1948, Dr. Schultz relocated to Los Angeles, prompting the charter members to search for a new pastor. They ultimately selected Dr. Earl Barnham, affectionately called "Barney," who quickly became beloved by the congregation. Under Dr. Barnham's leadership, the church experienced growth and in 1961, they moved to their current location on Knob Hill.

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The initial building on Knob Hill consisted of Richelieu Hall and the Kitchen. However, as the church expanded, the need for dedicated space for their children became evident. Thus, the Youth Center was constructed in early 1962 as an extension of the existing Hall, which served as the Sanctuary.

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After serving the church for several years, Dr. Barnham decided to retire, leaving a void to be filled. The congregation had a list of potential ministers, but Dr. Barnham was captivated by Rev. Frank Richelieu's message when he heard him speak at a Religious Science conference. As a result, Dr. Richelieu was chosen to succeed Dr. Barnham.

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Under the leadership of Drs. Frank and Anita Richelieu, who began their service in 1962, the church experienced remarkable growth. To accommodate the expanding congregation, architect Howard Van Huegulin collaborated with Dr. Richelieu to envision the iconic structure that stands today. The new section, including the current Sanctuary and offices, was unveiled in 1973.

Dr. Frank and Anita Richelieu served as Co-Pastors of the Redondo Beach Church of Religious Science for an impressive 38 years before retiring in October 2000. They had identified their successor, Dr. Moira Foxe, who assumed the pastoral role in October 2000. In 2008, the church celebrated its sixtieth year as a chartered church, even though it had been in existence for 61 years.

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Since 1954, the Redondo Beach Church of Religious Science has been affiliated with Religious Science International. In 2008, the church and another religious teaching organization called United Church of Religious Science made the decision to merge and adopt the name Centers for Spiritual Living. The official union of the two organizations occurred in February 2012, and the church is now known as the Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living.

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In June 2011, a Montessori School was established within the Center building, and it occupies the renovated Youth Center space on school days. The church is grateful for the opportunity to share their space with such a wonderful organization.

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Throughout its 65-year history, the Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living has been a beacon of light in the community, offering life-changing philosophy rooted in Science of Mind teachings. The center provides a welcoming and loving church home for all who seek spiritual growth and aims to honor each individual, nurture their spirit, and enrich the lives of those it serves.