Imperfect Paradise: Inside a Southern California church, where Muslims, Jews, and Christians all pray

Imperfect Paradise: Inside a Southern California church, where Muslims, Jews, and Christians all pray

From LA Made: The Other Moonshot by LAist Studios

April 24, 2026 · 27 min

About this episode

The episode explores a Southern California church where Muslims, Jews, and Christians share a place of worship.

Although religion is an inescapable element in conflicts around the world and a polarizing topic here at home, one place of worship in Pasadena, California, is defying religious labels. Amid the crosses and stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ, the First United Methodist Church shifts from Friday through Sunday to accommodate the three Abrahamic faiths. LAist reporter Yusra Farzan takes us through a weekend of Muslims' Friday prayers, a Jewish Shabbat service, and a Christian Easter celebration -- all coexisting under one roof. Read Yusra’s full report at LAist.com . Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at SHOPIFY.COM/paradise Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

People in this episode

Host: Yusra Farzan

Topics covered

  • religion
  • interfaith
  • community
  • Abrahamic faiths
  • Southern California
  • cultural coexistence

Keywords

  • interfaith
  • religion
  • Pasadena
  • First United Methodist Church
  • Abrahamic faiths
  • community
  • Yusra Farzan

Sponsors

Shopify

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: First United Methodist Church, LAist

Places: Pasadena, California

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