Congregation members of First United Methodist Church of San Diego have voted to transfer ownership of a longtime church site in Ocean Beach to the South District of the California Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The move had been anticipated since March, when the district effectively scuttled First United Methodist Church’s plan to raze the 96-year-old landmark at 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. in favor of a large apartment complex.
The FUMC congregation members voted 46-0 on Oct. 26 to proceed with the property transfer. Ownership of a church-owned duplex next door on Saratoga Avenue also will transfer to the South District.
The church building, known for many years as Point Loma United Methodist Church and more recently as Water’s Edge Faith Community, has not been used as a church since the Water’s Edge congregation was terminated on Christmas Eve 2023.
Jason Tucker, senior director of stewardship and development for First United Methodist Church, said the district has not decided what it will do with the property but that it does intend to return a ministry to the campus.
Tucker said the property will transfer as is and the tenants there would remain. That’s good news for the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Ocean Beach Historical Society, Pioneer Programs’ Community School and several other programs that meet in the church hall.
Kathy Grove, an FUMC congregation member and a Loaves and Fishes board member, said she’s grateful that the property transfer has been resolved.
“We are very pleased to be able to stay in our location and to continue helping our food-insecure neighbors,” she said.