(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — The cross is shining again.
After nearly four decades of weather and rust, the cross atop Simi Valley United Methodist Church has been restored to a brilliant gold.
Perched high above the sanctuary, the cross had gone untouched since it was first installed in 1987, according to Erin Newman, Communications Specialist at the church. In early April, a team of volunteers set out to change that.
Located at the corner of Cochran and Erringer, right across from Toppers Pizza, the church is a familiar sight in the valley. Its roots stretch back to 1889, when Methodist worshippers gathered in a local colony home. They later built a grand Neo-Classical church on Los Angeles Avenue before establishing their current campus about 40 years ago.
To reach the cross, volunteers brought in a boom lift, but it didn’t quite make it. Scaffolding went up for about a week while painters carefully coated the metal in “Olympic gold.” Spotlights were added to make the cross glow through the night. The job was completed just in time for Easter Sunday, April 20.
A photo from the day shows Pastor Stacy Brooks and longtime church member Paul Witman smiling from the boom lift, high above the roofline, watching the transformation unfold.
But Simi Valley United Methodist Church is more than a landmark—it’s an active, welcoming community. Members strive to live out their faith through “practical divinity,” a tradition rooted in the teachings of John Wesley, who believed Christian life is about putting faith and love into action. At SVUMC, that commitment is expressed through five core values: prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Their theology emphasizes balance—drawing on Scripture, Reason, Tradition, and Experience to understand God’s purpose.
Sunday worship is held at 10 a.m. and is also livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page, making it accessible for all.
Visitors to the campus will also find a Peace Pole, a monument inscribed in multiple languages with the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” It serves as a symbol of hope and unity for the church and its surrounding community.
Whether through worship, service, or simply a quiet moment under the newly gilded cross, Simi Valley United Methodist Church continues to offer a place of peace, reflection, and connection—for all who walk through its doors or pass by on the street.
