The tenacity of just one man and a few farmers to continue teaching Japanese culture and language to their children started a church in Norwalk.

The second and third arson fires were quickly put out.Gardena Buddhist Church was beset by three arsonist fires later learned to be motivated by anti-Buddhist sentiment.

and the dedication ceremony of the fifth Gardena Buddhist Church was held in August 1982.The entire Gardena Buddhist Church Sangha was so supportive and generous.The church members also want-ed a Japanese language school for their children.

The CentennialWhen asked about the significance of the Gardena Buddhist Churchs upcoming 100th anniversary.Gardena Buddhist Church was able to not only survive but thrive.

Church members became Zoom experts overnight!During Gardena Buddhist Church’s 2022 “Welcome Back” Obon.

and church mem-bers immediately began to plan and fundraise to build a replacement church.This has always been a city of immigrants.

and has taken every action available to us to stop them and protect our communities.which was broadcast on C-SPAN.

of people building better futures.and they are the source of the disorder in Los Angeles right now.