Methodist Aldersgate Retreat Center in Pacific Palisades Served Many

Pastor Darren Cowdrey has been a minister for the United Methodist Church (UMC) in California since 2005. Having led three congregations, Pastor Darren Cowdrey currently serves at large in the UMC’s California Pacific Conference. He previously worked with its Aldersgate Retreat Center in Pacific Palisades.

The center was based in a mission-style home that was purchased in 1927 by the We Boys men’s Sunday school class and the women’s Jesus Our Companion class of First Methodist Episcopal Church. The building was moved from its original site to 925 Haverford and was renovated to include a kitchen, meeting rooms, and sleeping areas. The two organizations used the facility for retreats, meals, and debates.

The facility passed to the California Pacific Conference in the 1970s, becoming a popular spot for weddings and civic club meetings. Along with further renovations, the UMC created a chapel and meditation center adjacent to the building. The city of Los Angeles designated it an historic cultural monument in 2008.

The UMC decided to sell the property and use the proceeds for meetings and educational events around the conference. A decommissioning service was held on August 22, 2021.