Story and photos by the Rev. Canon Debra Low-Skinner
Originally founded as a mission in 1895 by Nippon Sei Ko Kai (the Anglican Church in Japan), Christ Episcopal Church Sei Ko Kai in San Francisco has served the Japanese American community for over 130 years. Located in its unique Victorian building near Japantown since 1952, Sei Ko Kai members have raised their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren here. The congregation also includes members of Chinese and European descent.
Since the pandemic, Sei Ko Kai has held its Sunday services via Zoom — a convenience especially for many members who live outside of San Francisco. They still gather at the church for certain special occasions, however, including the Rev. Canon J. Sierra Reyes’ visit on Sunday, Feb. 1. Reyes, the diocesan canon to the ordinary, was the special guest preacher.
Canon Sierra’s sermon and talk afterwards mentioned how the life cycle of our congregation over 130 years has seen growth, stability, and decline. It has also included time spent literally in the desert, when the church was closed in 1942, and members were rounded up and interned during World War II in inland prison camps located in such desolate places as Topaz, UT, Crystal City, TX, and Rohwer, AR. After the war, when many of our members returned, the church reorganized and reopened in 1948. It experienced resurrection and rapid growth during the Baby Boom years.
The Eucharist celebrant was the congregation’s long-term supply priest and former vicar, the Rev. Canon. Debbie Low-Skinner. She pointed out that Sei Ko Kai was impacted again in the 1960s, when urban renewal led to the demolition of homes and businesses in Japantown and the nearby Fillmore District. Despite this severe disruption, the congregation continued to minister to its members, who commuted in from their new homes in the Richmond, Sunset, and Diamond Heights neighborhoods.
Although the ensuing years saw declining membership, the congregation’s younger members (i.e., Sansei, third-generation Japanese Americans), along with their young children (i.e., Yonsei, fourth- generation), remain committed to keeping this church going. And its financial reserves, along with substantial monthly rental income from its tenants (i.e., Alta Plaza Pre-School and the Integral Counseling Center), ensure that the church can continue its active ministry, with the funded potential to grow in the near future.
After the Feb. 1 Eucharist and meeting with Canon Sierra Reyes, the congregation adjourned to the social hall for fellowship and a bountiful lunch of dim sum, sushi, and fresh fruit.
Additional note: As one of the founding churches of the Japanese American Religious Federation of San Francisco, a few of our parishioners and Canon Debbie Low-Sinner will attend the upcoming Day of Remembrance event at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California. This year’s theme is “Neighbors Not Enemies, Stronger Together: Standing Against Mass Detentions and Mass Deportations.” (See the flyer)
