Our History

MCC San Jose was born in the 1970′s in the early days of the gay rights movement.  Following the lead of Rev. Troy Perry, Bill Chapman opened his home in San Jose to eleven friends and the church was born.

In the 1970’s, MCC San Jose would become a local leader in the struggle for religious freedom and for human justice, joining the local council of churches and fighting the anti-gay Brigg’s Initiative and county propositions A and B.  In 1978, MCC San Jose became the first church in the United States to have an openly transgender pastor.

In the 1980′s, MCC helped establish what would become the ARIS project to help people affected by HIV/AIDS.

In the twenty-first century, MCC continues to be a voice for LGBTQ rights and religious freedom.  Here are some of the ways we are making a difference:

•  In 2007, we became the first church to host a transgender sermon series, with a different trans-person speaking on each Sunday of the month.  This series is now an annual tradition for us.
• We continue to be active in the fight for gender-neutral marriage, working with other faith communities to provide equal rights for LGBTQ people here and around the world. 
• We are active in fighting for the rights of people living with HIV & AIDS.