Religious institutions hit hard by Los Angeles fires seek to rebuild. You can help in the following ways

The text message lit up Pastor Carri Patterson Grindon’s phone at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Patterson Glyndon serves as rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Altadena, and a congregant retweeted photos of the sanctuary. It was on fire – a victim of the Eaton Fire.

The building has been constructed since 1949 and the community’s history dates back to 1906.

“It’s just devastating that the fire continues unabated and that neither the church nor the campus is protected,” Patterson Glyndon said. “It’s very difficult to understand the damage through photos.”

Patterson Grindon, her husband and daughter evacuated Tuesday night when the fire broke out within blocks of their Altadena home.

The next day, they learned that St. Mark’s wasn’t the only school to suffer the same fate. A series of fires in Southern California destroyed at least 11 other churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and religious institutions.

The loss of religious institutions is compounded by the personal suffering of believers. Some churches said as many as three-quarters of their members lost their homes or schools in the fires.

But even as these stings of loss remain, rebuilding and fundraising efforts are ongoing.

St. Mark’s not only lost its shelter, but also its adjacent school, which had 70 employees and 325 students in pre-K through sixth grade. Patterson Glyndon said she believed at least 40 members also lost their homes.

Yet even this carnage was replaced by a modicum of mercy.

The only part of the elementary school that didn’t burn down was the brand new kindergarten that had just been built, thanks in part to an $8.5 million investment.

“When the school principal and I learned that it had survived, we knew it was a miracle,” Patterson Glyndon said. “In this terrible land, it’s a beacon of hope, a gift that can continue to grow.”

The church has set up a relief fund on its website, saintmarksaltadena.org.

Here is a list of other religious institutions reportedly destroyed in the fire:

Altadena Community Church (Altadena)

This community church with a history of more than 80 years was completely lost. Confirm on their website.

Altadena fountain Life Church (Altadena)

The church was destroyed Facebook confirmed Under the responsibility of Nazarene Mercy Ministries. Ministries noted that some community members also lost their homes.

Each ministry has established a donation website: Give.ncm.org/donate/140061.

Altadena United Methodist Church (Altadena)

The Rev. Andre Wilson confirmed on Facebook that the more than 100-year-old faith community lost its church in the Eton fire, saying “our hearts are broken.”

The Rev. Garth Gilliam, the North District leader of the California Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church, said at least 50 percent of faith-based families have lost their homes.

“God is with us and closer than ever,” Wilson wrote on Facebook. “So we’re going to grieve what we’ve lost. We’re going to comfort each other. We’re going to support and help each other through that.

Donations can be made at advance.umcmission.org/p-620-umcor-us-disaster-response-and-recovery.aspx.

Lifeline Fellowship Christian Center (Pasadena)

On Wednesday, Bishop Dr. Charles Dorsey confirmed the institution’s utter failure during a rousing discussion on Facebook Live that usually featured a Bible study lecture.

The center was founded by Dorsey and his wife, Lisa, and is more than 20 years old.

The center has established a GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-restore-lifeline-fellowship-of-altadena

pasadena Christian Church (Pasadena)

A member of the congregation told The Christian Chronicle reported on Tuesday that The church has been destroyed.

Corpus Christi Church (Pacific Palisades)

The church held its first Mass in 1964, although the local Roman Catholic community dates back to First Parish Synod in 1950. The home page of the church’s website features a photo of a burned-out church frame with the ominous caption: “I have no words. As of this morning, our beautiful church in Pacific Palisades. For my hometown, Los Angeles Prayers go out to the fire department and all those affected by these horrific fires.

Paul Escala, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, confirmed that the eighth-grade kindergarten attached to the church sustained considerable damage, with part of its roof burned. While the building remains intact, 154 students and 29 staff will be assigned to other schools while repairs are carried out.

Donations can be made to lacatholics.org/california-fires. Put “Corpus Christi” in the notes section.

Altakova Mosque (Altadena)

The mosque has served Altadena residents for more than 30 years, growing its membership from dozens to 200, based on internal data. The building had recently been renovated before the fire. So far, the fundraiser has raised about $500,000.

Donate, visit, launchgood.com/v4/campaign/help_restore_our_beloved_masjid_in_altadena.

Our Lady of Dolerosa Retreat Center (Sierra madre)

The Catholic center celebrated its 100th anniversary last year but was severely damaged this week. Two groups of nearly 60 people reportedly had to be evacuated Angelus News.

Donations can be made to lacatholics.org/california-fires. Put “Mater Dolorosa” in the notes section.

Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church

one Wednesday Facebook post Note the destruction of the church.

“I firmly believe that the church is not a building or a physical space, but her people and her faith community,” said the Rev. Dr. Grace Parker, one of the church’s pastors. wrote on Instagram.

Donations can be made at secure.myvanco.com/L-Z6YC/campaign/C-15ASR.

Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center (Pasadena)

The Pasadena Synagogue and Center, a synagogue and preschool that has served the Pasadena area for more than 100 years, was one of the many structural casualties caused by the Eaton Fire.

“Many of our congregants have lost their homes, and many have homes right next to homes that are on fire,” Executive Director Melissa Levy told The Times earlier this week. “We’re trying to focus on our employees now and then we’ll get to the building.”

Donations can be made at pjtc.net/ payment.php.

St. Matthew Parish School (Pacific Palisades)

The school’s namesake Episcopal church was severely damaged but still stands. this SchoolThe school, which had 70 staff and 334 students in pre-K through eighth grade, was destroyed. The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is still making plans for students and teachers to complete the remainder of the semester, said Ryan Newman, the school’s executive director.

However, schools and churches claim at least 75% of their members lost their homes in the Palisades Fire.

“God’s will had nothing to do with this fire,” said Episcopal Bishop John Taylor of Los Angeles. “God’s will is urgent for people to come together and work on each other’s healing.”

Fundraisers can be found at diocesela.org/annual-appeal.