This is where we’ve been worshiping and serving since 2021. We especially appreciate its commitment to Oakland, its beautiful people from all different backgrounds (including many men and women from CityTeam Oakland), and its clear sense of both human need and the good news of Jesus Christ.
The church was founded in March, 2018, met at the Impact Hub (a co-working space at the Hive, 23rd x Broadway), then acquired the former First Church of Christ, Scientist building in 2019. This landmark property was built 1900-02 and is one of three Romanesque Revival church buildings in Downtown Oakland (see the others below). The church grew even during the 2020-21 pandemic year of livestream-only worship services. By late 2023, the church had grown enough to need two in-person Sunday services.
Church website
Oakland Book Group (a reading group I lead at the church)
Award-winning stained glass restoration project; and more here
Ariana Makau, founder of Oakland-based Nzilani Glass Conservation:
Interior as First Church of Christ, Scientist:
Interior as Resurrection Oakland Church:
The building’s former keys, now on display in the church library:
One way to tell this was a former Christian Science church! (Mary Baker Eddy’s Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures is, alongside the Bible, the central text of Christian Science) :
You might not guess from inside, but the building does feature a cruciform roof:
Early postcard view:
Another of Oakland’s downtown Romanesque Revival churches:
First Baptist (built 1903-06, repaired/rebuilt after 1906):
And the oldest of downtown Oakland’s Romanesque Revival churches: First Unitarian (built 1889-90):
Russell Yee 