History of St David's


On Sunday evening, February 8, 1931, St. David’s Church of North Hollywood held its first service – in the chapel of McNamara’s Mortuary. Lively participation by 51 parishioners and a 14-person borrowed choir belied the somber setting. McNamara’s Mortuary would house the fledgling congregation for the next seven and a half years.

St. David’s, named for the patron saint of Medieval Wales, soon became known as “the friendliest church in the San Fernando Valley.” As the mission grew, it needed a bigger, more permanent home. So in September 1937, the congregation of St. David’s left the mortuary and moved onto the property across Magnolia Boulevard from the present church.

For the first 18 months St. David’s mission had no regular priest. Later, several priests stayed for one or two years. It wasn’t until December 1939, when The Rev. Dr. Alex K. Campbell became vicar of St. David’s, that the mission had a long-term priest. Under Dr. Campbell, membership increased and the church school thrived. Four years later (12 years after the opening service in the mortuary chapel), St. David’s ceased to be a ward of the Bishop and became a full-fledged parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.

With the need for further expansion, the Vestry purchased land across the street from the church, instituted another building campaign and on Trinity Sunday in May 1953, St. David’s congregation began worshiping in the present church at 11605 Magnolia Boulevard. Today the church looks much the same as when it was built 51 years ago, with its stately brick structure, lofty nave and stunning stained-glass windows.

Dr. Campbell retired in 1964 after 25 years of service to St. David’s. The Rev. Edward D. Eagle, who succeeded Dr. Campbell, stayed at St. David’s a few years before being called to head up Cathedral Films. While rector of St. David’s, Father Eagle spearheaded the construction of the present parish hall and classroom wing adjacent to the church. St. David’s next rector was The Rev. John Farnsworth, who served from March 1967 through April 1971.

In December 1971, the vestry called The Rev. James E. Fenwick to become the spiritual leader of St. David’s. During Father Fenwick’s tenure, parishioners heard Christ preached from the pulpit and enjoyed Sunday morning Bible classes. Also, the mortgage on the church facilities was paid off. However, membership declined during the ‘70s and ‘80s as the neighborhood changed. Families matured and moved away. Father Fenwick retired in 1990.

The Rev. Jose A. Poch, our present rector, joined St. David’s in March 1991. Father Jose brought new life and a new vision to the parish. St. David’s, still known as the friendliest church in the valley, disassociated from the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Los Angeles and associated with the Diocese of Luweero in Uganda thus still remaining a faithful member of the worldwide Anglican Communion. In June 2009, St David's became a part of the newly formed Diocese of Western Anglicans and the Anglican Church of North America. St. David’s has gained a reputation as a beacon of Biblical orthodoxy throughout Southern California and the greater church.

St. David’s has hosted several major evangelical conferences. Monthly teaching seminars and weekly Bible study groups and house churches provide discipleship opportunities for parishioners. Also, growing as a mission-minded church, St. David’s supports missionaries around the world and sends mission teams out to evangelize, teach and disciple.

Under Father Jose’s leadership, parishioners joyfully fulfill St. David’s mission: To live Jesus, to share Jesus, to teach Jesus, to take Jesus to others in the power of the Holy Spirit.