Our history


On Sunday evening, February 8, 1931, St. David's Church of North Hollywood held its first service in the chapel of McNamara's Mortuary.  Lively participation by 51 parishioners and a 14-person borrowed choir belied the somewhat somber setting.  McNamara's Mortuary went on to house the fledgling congregation for the next seven and a half years. 

 

St. David's, named after the patron saint of medieval Wales, soon became known as "the friendliest church in the San Fernando Valley."  As the mission grew, it needed a bigger and more permanent home, so in September of 1937 the congregation of St. David's left the mortuary and moved into the property on the south side of Magnolia Blvd. and Lemp Ave. in North Hollywood.

 

It wasn't until December of 1939, when the Rev. Dr. Alex K. Campbell became vicar of St. David's, that the mission had a long-term priest. Under Dr. Campbell, membership increased and the church school thrived.  Four years later, St. David's ceased to be a ward of the Bishop and became a full-fledged parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.

With the need for further expansion, the Vestry purchased land across the street from their location, instituted another building campaign, and on Trinity Sunday in May of 1953, the St. David's congregation began worshiping at 11605 Magnolia Blvd.


Dr. Campbell retired in 1964, after 25 years of service to St. David's. The Rev. Edward D. Eagle, who succeeded Dr. Campbell in 1964, stayed at St. David's a few years before being called to head Cathedral Films. Fr. Eagle spearheaded the construction of the parish hall and classroom wing adjacent to the church. The Rev. John Farnsworth served from March, 1967 through April of 1971.

In December, 1971, the vestry called the Rev. James E. Fenwick to become the spiritual leader of St. David's.  During the many years of Fr. Fenwick's tenure, parishioners heard the gospel of Jesus Christ preached from the pulpit and enjoyed Sunday morning Bible classes. Fr. Fenwick retired in 1990.

 

The Rev. Jose A. Poch joined St. David's as rector in March of 1991.  Fr. Jose brought new life and a new vision to the parish.  He faithfully served at St. David's for 29 prosperous years.  Fr. Jose passionately preached and taught God's Word throughout his tenure, seeing countless people come to faith and grow to become disciples of Christ. 

 

St. David's disassociated from the Episcopal Church and Diocese of Los Angeles in August 2004 and associated with the Diocese of Luweero in Uganda, thus remaining a faithful member of the worldwide Anglican Communion.  In June of 2009, St. David's became a member of the newly formed Diocese of Western Anglicans, and the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). 

 

On August 11, 2013, St. David's held a final service at our Magnolia Blvd. property in North Hollywood.  To the glory of God, the first service at our current Burbank location on Glenoaks Blvd. was celebrated the following Sunday.  In the fall of 2016, the congregations of St. David's and St. Jude's of Burbank merged, uniting us together as one family in worship and ministry. 

 

Fr. Jose retired from his position as rector of Saint David's in January of 2021, and was immediately succeeded by our current rector, the Rev. Astor Yelangueuzian.  Fr. Astor hopes to continue the long-lasting legacy of his predecessors with a ministry that entails (1) faithfully preaching and teaching God's Holy Word; (2) reverently celebrating and administering the Holy Eucharist; (3) selflessly serving and befriending new people in our community; and (4) wisely equipping and sending disciples of Christ into the world for the sake of God's Kingdom.


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