Member's Memories

Alys (Kazuko Watada) Sakaji

The earliest recollection of my childhood in Los Angeles was the earthquake in '33 living at the time at 1444 W. 37th Street, lower level of a two-story home. Vaguely, recall the Church of Christ using our living room and dining room for Sunday services. Shortly thereafter we moved a couple of houses down the block. The Sasaki family of 4 or 5 lived upstairs. Shortly thereafter the Ishiguro's moved in. Father was the preacher. His wife and one son moved in upstairs. They also had a Japanese school there where Mrs. Masato who lived across the street was teaching.

Aster K. Ikezoye

​As far back as I can remember, I attended this church in 1934 and maybe even before that because my older brothers and sisters were attending before me. At that time, the church was located on 37th Street and was known as the Japanese Church of Christ and Mr. Ishiguro was the minister. We were living on 35th Place and the church was very close to our home. After our family moved to our home on 30th Street, Mr. Takata would drive us to and bring us home from church every Sunday. It must have inconvenienced him many times, but he was always so cheerful and had a smile on his face. We will always remember his kindness.
Mrs. Haruko Itow was my Sunday School teacher and she taught us so much about the Bible. We memorized all the books of the Bible, the Lord's Prayer, the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, and many other important verses. Beyond that, she was also a good friend and shared many Sunday afternoons with us when we planned activities and excursions. She made the days very special, and I was excited about Sunday School. I will always be grateful to her for giving me a strong religious foundation, which made Christianity a very important part of my life. Another memory I have of the church is Christmas. The children were considered to be an important part of the church and were given nice gifts during the special program. Those who had perfect attendance throughout the year were also given a second gift. As a child, that was really worth working for! After our return to the West Coast in 1945, the church was established at the present location and became the Westside Church of Christ and Mr. Michio Nagai was the minister of the Nisei congregation. Many of the Issei members returned to the church as adults and renewed old friendships and once again became a close church family. After my move to Camarillo, I haven't been able to attend the church very often, but I always think of the people I met through my years at the church. The fond memories I have will be with me forever.

Betty Izumi

​I attended Westside Church from 1966-1973, from the ages of 4 ½ to about 12 because of my 3 older siblings Sue, Irene, and James. At a young age, I took the opportunity to study other religions but I ended up gaining a deeper understanding of Christianity through the help of the church. These were some of the memories that I have from Westside:
I would spend many hours at church in the afternoon on a school day to help one of the church patrons who was working on her teaching credentials and needed to work with a child on reading skills. Meanwhile, my brother James spent a lot of time helping while my father did the tile work. My sister Sue also babysat for Ken Rob’s family and they had asked her to teach Sunday School because she was really good with children. I remember several instances of the church having events such as Easter egg hunts where I stepped on more eggs than I collected. There was also an instance when a group of us went to visit an orphanage and took a birthday cake for the birthdays of the children. I remember when the church organized a 2-week camping trip to Sequoia National Park when I was 12 and I was taught different survival skills. The church did some exchange activities with a group from Watts. Part of the activities had to do with recreating bible stories on silent film. For some unknown reason, the one that stands out in my mind was where Darryl Shimazu and Joe Aiboshi played Cain and Abel. These memories that I have from the church have stayed with me for many years now although it was only in a small part of my life.​

Bob Kitamura

I attended Westside from 1963-1970, from the ages of 13-20. My first experience at Westside Church of Christ was in the Summer of 1963 when I was invited by a friend, Jack Shintani, to the youth group which met on Friday nights. I remember all those years during junior high school and high school fondly. It set a strong foundation for my relationship with God today.
I can still remember accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was 13, and being baptized on a Sunday afternoon. I still remember it as my major life-changing decision.
Another fond memory is that of summers at Camp Tanda at Big Bear. What I remember most are the campfires and Bible studies…….oh yeah and roasting marshmallows. Unfortunately, I also remember the cold, cold swimming pool where I was pushed in more than once.
The church picnics at the old Pepperdine campus come to mind as well. When I visit the new Malibu campus with my wife and kids from time to time I always say…"I remember when the school was in South Central L.A. and the only view was that of the smog."
What I remember most vividly and have benefited from the most are the people that invested time in me during that important time in my life. Joe & Tosh Aiboshi, Bob Waldron, Ken & Nelmarie Robb, Marlin & Jeanie Ray and Nori Sekino are a few that were important mentors in my life and growth as a Christian. Joe and Tosh were such a strong influence in my life as a teen that I ended up working as a youth worker in my church for over 22 years. There are also many friends that I made some of whom I am still in touch with and others who are fond memories.
Many years have passed since this rewarding time in my life. Without hesitation, the one thing I can say that I took away with me from Westside is what Paul expressed so well in Ephesians 5:1-2, "Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to him."
Thanks and blessings to my brothers and sisters of the Westside Church of Christ.

Don and Sachi Arii

I started going to the Westside Church of Christ when I was born. My grandmother Shige Takemura, father Hideo, mother Virginia, and siblings Catherine, Robert, and Kelvin all attended the church. I would say that I remember going in 1957 when I was 4 years old. I can remember the old house sitting on the corner of 6th Ave and Jefferson. My first recollection is having Sunday school in this building. I attended the church until I got married and left the area to live in Diamond Bar.
I have very fond memories of the church which includes the great times in vacation bible school and the youth group program. I remember when I could not wait until I was in high school so that I could join the big kids in their activities. They did a lot of fun things from going Christmas caroling, to visiting hospitals, going to church camp, and bible studies.
Church camp was the best time, from the jokes that were played on people to the campfires, cooking and cleaning, and of course worshiping together. It really brought many people to God and toward each other.
My wife started going with me as a teenager to the youth group events and the church camps. Eventually, she attended worship service and finally became a Christian. This was a difficult decision because she came from a Buddhist family.
I remember many of the ministers, Bob and Ken especially come to mind. But the one minister that I still see from time to time is Michio Nagai. He has been a family friend and has been there for the Arii’s on many occasions. He performed mine and Sachi’s marriage ceremony in 1977 and most recently presided over my father’s funeral.
Over the years I have seen the church grow with 4 different generations attending at one time. Even though the doors of Westside will close, the memories will live on in our hearts and minds. We would like to say thank you to Westside and everyone that has influenced our lives.

Frances Fumi Itow Palmer

People

All the missionaries that stopped by to preach: from Asia, Germany. Joe and Delores Lyon - I was baptized by Joe, in March 1961. I felt then and never again the "prick" of the Holy Spirit and was "convicted" that I needed to say aloud that I believed that Jesus is God's Son and that I was ready to admit my sin. When I tell others about the actual physical "pain/prick" in my heart, they think I misunderstand what that scripture says, but I really believe that the scripture uses exact words and when the crowd at Pentecost heard Peter's sermon, they were "pricked in their hearts" and compelled by that actual physical feeling, to repent and to be baptized.

Delmar Bunn - The finest preacher I had heard until Milt up here in Seattle; and his disciple and friend, Dieter Alten, from Germany. The Robbs; the Waldrons The faithful Issei - always carrying their Bibles to church; their cottage meetings! My teacher Astor Ikezoy Nori - when Nelmarie convinced us that we should show people that we weren't stuffy, and he sang "I can do anything better than you," from Annie Get Your Gun, with special words, for a parents' night program.

The Pepperdine students who came to help out at Westside - they had a special relationship with Jesus that I never saw before: these were George and Mary Ann Bragg; Bob and Gina Waldron; Betty Ousley and John Wyatt; Jean Copeland and Randy Knox; the Robbs; Mary and Glenn, the cowboy. They did things we never did before: camp outs; outings I remember the time I took my girls horseback riding at Griffith Park and one fell off the horse as it thundered home.

Picking up Lance and Janice for Sunday School - he got razzed by some friends when he said where we were going (they said something like "you kidding?) but he came anyway!

Joe leading singing

Yutaka Niisato's son Gary running up to imitate his dad, leading singing. Yutaka was embarrassed but I wasn't the only one who thought it was the best tribute a son could give to his father and our Father.

All the teens and young people meeting at the Aiboshis and having fun together - some lifelong friendships, and even some marriages (Darryl and Mona!) began there.

The Building

I can remember before the current building when there was an old house that used to be a candy store and we would come over to stare at the treats in the glass case after school at Sixth Avenue School.

Our Sunday School class met in Ishiguro sensei's son's bedroom - the adults met after Sunday school and I could hardly wait for the day until I was old enough to worship with "the adults" in the big room in the old house.

The Japanese school met in the old building for a while and I went. Those teachers were very strict and very intimidating but I learned a lot.

Camps

My first time ever was up someplace in San Bernardino - with the church group.

Obachan and Ojichan - opening up the building; cleaning it. I remember listening to Obachan on the phone encouraging people, including the preacher! - or so it seemed in as much Japanese as I could understand.

As with many good things, the church that met at Westside over all these years will be part of my heart and many others' forever. All of the faithful teachers and leaders gave me and many others the chance to know God and his love, for which I am ever grateful.

I’m sending copies of some old pictures I found of people at church/after church, before Darryl was old enough to hold a camera.

Geneva Simmons

I don' t remember the exact dates I attended Westside Church of Christ the first time- 1959 to 1963, after which I became a member of the Crenshaw Church of Christ. Delmar and Nancy Bunn were instrumental in my being at Westside. I can't seem to remember any specific incidents or experiences except to say I enjoyed the fellowship of fellow Christians. Joy (daughter) asked if she could attend "J School (Japanese Language School) with the Japanese students. I spoke to two Japanese ladies and was assured Joy would be welcome, hopeful that she would not drop out. She attended " J" school even after we moved out of the area in 1963. As a result of that experience, Joy was an exchange student to Japan in her second year of College.
I returned to worship at Westside Church of Christ in May 1980 to October 1982. I have two notebooks full of sermon notes from many speakers: Alan Jang, John Greene,
Uphat, Logan Fox, Ken Waters, Keith Curtis, Joe Aiboshi, John Matsumoto, Roy Holmes, Michio Nagai, Pete Jackson, Fred Medinas, Mike Gast, Fred Dominguez, Tyrone Allen, Charles Flores, David Ladd, Woody Square, Sean Moore, David Fritz, Pat Hardy, Darryl Shimazu, to name just a few.
Daughter Carol remembers attending Sunday School class taught by Frances Ito. She also remembers the combined services held once a month with a pot luck meal that followed the service.

Harry Robert Fox, Jr.

I first attended Westside during the 1943-44 school year when I was a student at Pepperdine
College and was 22 years old. I went as a visitor with Bro. and Sis. E. A. Rhodes. I became a more frequent visitor during the 25 years my wife and I lived in Los Angeles between March 1958 and April 1983--especially after each of my trips to Japan when Westside invited me to report on those trips. During those years, I was also invited to conduct one gospel meeting ("dendokai") and to teach a series of lessons on the book of Romans. (I was especially blessed by the great interest shown by Bro. Nori Sekino in those lessons. ) For several years I was invited to conduct a home Bible study in the home of Sis. Yasue Horino one Friday evening per month.
Each time I visited the Westside church I was warmly received by every member of both the Issei and Nisei congregations. My most pleasant memories are the pot-luck dinners prepared by the women on almost every Sunday I was invited to speak to the church.
I appreciated your sponsorship of Marlin and Jean Ray as missionaries to Japan. I had the pleasure of seeing them again on my latest trip to Japan August 10-22, 2000. They continue to render very valuable services to the cause of Christ in Japan.
I deeply appreciate the dedication of so many to the life of the Westside church including every member of the Sekino family, the Nonaka's, the Shigeo Saito's, the Mori's, the Matsumoto's, Darryl Shimazu, the Aiboshi's, the Nagai's, the Shigekuni's, the Nogaki's and others whose names elude me. I thank God for bringing me into the life of the Westside Church and into long-term, ongoing friendships with so many members of that church.

Joy Simmons

My family (my mother, sister and I) began attending Westside in 1960 or '61. Being a part of a church with girls my age was so powerful. In fact, because my friends at church attended Japanese School or 'J-school" (as it was known back then), I asked my parents if I could go. I went and even graduated. I remember the wonderful diversity we had at Westside There were not only the Iseii and the Nisei families (gosh, I remember the little old ladies coming out of 2nd service), but the white college students who became missionaries and the black families (of which I was about the only one left after Crenshaw was founded). When Crenshaw began in '63, my parents continued to take me to Westside. I was baptized there in 1965.
There was Camp Tonda.  I always thought I would go to Pepperdine for college ... that's where everyone went at the church. I remember my friends Janice, Ellen, Linda, Mona … gosh … it's been so long. I'll never forget returning to Westside when I was “grown” and how my good friends gave me a baby shower for my first-born. So many memories … so many friends … I learned so much there …

Karen Karatsu Gundersen

I started attending Westside Church of Christ when I was about 8. I woke up one day and decided that I really wanted to go to a church somewhere. My dad had attended Westside as a boy and remembered that they passed out good Easter candy, so he reckoned that this would be a fine church for his daughter. Dad would drop me off at Westside for Sunday School then drive down the street and read the Sunday paper in the car until my class was over. I was very self-motivated to attend Sunday School every week. I remember that the Pastor, Bob Waldren, would come over to our house for visitations, and my mom baked fresh poppy seed cakes for him and served everything on her fine china.
One of the teachers I remember is Frances Ito. She spoke very clearly and articulately and used a Flannel Board for Bible figures and other cut-outs. I had a great itch to lay my hands on that Board and those figures. Once she invited some of us over to her house for dinner. That was a new experience since I wasn't used to going to other peoples' homes for dinner, especially a teacher's! I remember her mother, Mrs. Ito, who had a broad, kind face, and Mrs. Ito's mother, Mrs. Yoshimune. Mrs. Yoshimune was a thin little Issei lady who would sweep the sidewalk in front of the church and always had a big, genuine smile and twinkling eyes. She exuded friendliness and love, even though we did not speak one another's language. I was incensed when I heard that this sweet old woman was mugged and seriously injured near the church many years later.
Another teacher I remember is Nelmarie Robb, wife of Pastor Ken Robb, who took over after the Waldrens went to Alaska. Nelmarie was the sweetest, most innocent little thing and reminded me of a fragile China doll. I remember watching her in church gazing adoringly at her husband while he preached. I couldn't imagine her getting mad at anyone or losing her temper. She was a model of serenity .I knew I'd miss them as they drove away in their Nash Rambler to pastor another church.
When I was 12 or 13, I taught a Sunday School class for 10 year olds. Maybe it was for Vacation Bible School. I took a pie tin full of dirt, with a ring of standing matches. My lesson's theme was "It only takes a spark to get a fire going", and I wanted to illustrate how one person could make a difference. I wanted to grab the kids' attention with a glorious ring of fire, started by one little match, and I was excited to present this lesson. Unfortunately, the ring never did catch on fire or combust into flames because the matches were not close enough together. I guess I should have practiced at home first! I doubt that the kids got the point of my lesson, but they were all very nice and polite. When I was 13 I made the momentous decision to "go forward" to be baptized. I told my mom that I was going to do it, and as the song, "Just As I Am" droned on, she looked at me, as if to say, "Well? Are you going to go up or not?" I was waiting for the right dramatic moment, and didn't want to stand at the front of the church during the entire song. Westside had not built the new sanctuary yet and didn't have a baptistery so we all caravanned to the Culver City Church of Christ to use theirs. This was the church where Pat Boone sometimes led the services, and my mom was impressed with that.
My fondest memories involved our summer church camps at "Camp Mazumdar." My cousin Lynn Kaneshiro, who also attended Westside, was my age and we invited all of our friends to come too. We had a whole cabin full of our best friends, had freedom from our parents and responsibilities, and there were boys in the next cabin-what more could a young teenage girl want? We did skits, worked hard to win the award for "Cleanest Cabin'', flirted with the boys that we had crushes on, and always had a great time. It was funny to see Pastor Ken Robb wearing bell bottom jeans and a straw hat since we were used to seeing him in his same brown Sunday suit and short, neatly Vaselined hair. It was a good way to get to know the kids who went to Westside but did not attend our school or live in our neighborhood.
I am truly grateful for the tireless efforts of the faithful families that kept Westside Church going throughout the years. This church contributed greatly to my stable, happy childhood and undoubtedly helped me to become a healthy, confident, functioning adult.

Ken and Nelmarie Robb

I first came to Westside upon a plea for students of Pepperdine College to serve as teachers in the Bible School. I decided to accept the invitation to serve the Lord in October, 1961. It would become an unforgettable and happy experience. Nelmarie and I continue to serve the Lord where the need arises, even to this day.
Our experience at Westside was our finest years of service in the Lord. Ken's first role as a Minister of Education (volunteer and part-time). Some of his duties in that role included being a teacher training, running the Vacation Bible School programs and camps. We both taught in the Bible School program. Ken preached for the church from Sept. 1965 to Aug. 1971. We saw the church grow through its youth program. We also were a part of the acquisition of property adjacent to the existing corner house and eventually the construction of a new auditorium, offices and classrooms. We recalled vividly the wonderful volunteer spirit that existed during this period of Westside's growth.
The youth were a dynamic collection of talent spanning about eight years. Youth meetings, outings, camping, trips to Disneyland, beach parties and just getting together at the Robb home for eating. Our photographs over those years tell quite a story of spiritual growth, imagination, determination, spirited fun and some heart aches. Our hearts were truly touched by their concern, love and appreciation.
We remember special private times in home Bible studies. Precious memories not easily forgotten. Home studies often followed a typical Japanese meal. Nelmarie has fond memories of the women's prayer group which Taz Kusako started. We had special meal times called "combined pot-luck dinners" were held regularly with the Issei, Nisei, Sansei and Kibei. A wonderful "feast" of Japanese and American food and the fellowship was always exciting along with trying to pronounce the names of specialty foods and communicating with the Japanese speaking brethren. Remembering frequently that Joe Aiboshi and I competed to see who could consume the most "gohon";Japanese steamed rice.These continue to be warm and sweet memories.
We took a leap of faith in 1967, when we decided to purchase additional property adjacent to the corner house. During the first phase of construction heavy Spring rains, we needed larger footings for the foundation. Volunteers provided 70% of the construction by brethren and friends of Westside. It was truly a quality building, built with love and pride. "The new building",  as it was affectionately called, was dedicated in the Fall of 1969.
In August of 1971, I accepted the position of Minister of Education in Alabama following the completion of all my class work for a Masters Degree in Bible from Pepperdine University. Our family left Westside with tears and many fond memories and prayed that God's providential care would continue with our wonderful and supportive Japanese brethren. It was most difficult to say good-bye. Precious memories, always!

Mary Karatsu

When our children were ready and old enough to attend church (around 1957), we decided to send them to Westside Church of Christ. Although I was a member of another church, my husband George wanted them to attend Westside since he was a member in the pre-war days (circa 1930). Daughter Karen and cousin Lynn especially have many fond memories (and I have asked them to share some of their experiences) as they were deeply involved in many church activities and church camp. In those days, the young people were very active.
Nori Sekino was instrumental in getting me to attend Westside Church of Christ in the 1950's and then we were privileged to make the acquaintance of the wonderful Christian couple, Joe & Tosh Aiboshi, who have been the "glue" that has held the church together all of these years (of course, with God's help!).
Although I have been a Christian all of my life, I renewed my faith at Westside by being baptized in the late '60s (by Mike Gose).
In the latter years, Westside did not have a regular minister (sermons were given mostly by Pepperdine students) and I felt I needed more help if I were to grow as a Christian. Reluctantly, I left Westside three years ago to attend West Adams Christian Church.
Westside will always hold a very dear spot in my heart. I remember the Bible study class led by Mr. and Mrs. Gose, Mike's often unusual sermons, the songs led by Marlon Ray and the lessons that Karen learned through Jeannie Ray, Ken and Nelmarie Robb, the Waldrons and such wonderful memories of the Issei congregation. Heartfelt thanks to the Aiboshis, the Sekino girls, Daryl Shimazu and John Matsumoto who were always there to make everyone feel so welcome.
God bless all of you!

Mr. and Mrs. John C. Wyatt