Altadena One Year Later: Bishop Needs $2 Million to Rebuild Local Church After Historic Wildfire
It’s been one year since the Eaton Fire devastated Altadena, a historic community in Pasadena, California, that became home to many African Americans in the 1970s. Although some time has passed, the need remains great for those trying to rebuild. At Lifeline Fellowship Christian Center, the need is jarring.
“We still need $2 million,” says Bishop Charles Dorsey of the worship center, which burned to the ground on the night of the Eaton Fire that killed 19 people and destroyed over 14,000 acres.
Since May 2025, progress has been made at the church to pave the way for rebuilding to commence. In what once resembled a landfill, now lies a clear path free of wreckage and ashes. “The debris is fully removed,” says Dorsey. “The Army Corps of Engineers did an excellent job by taking all the fire debris and all the little intangibles of our beloved old building.”
Although Dorsey has been the leader of Lifeline Fellowship Christian Center for 22 years, seeing the devastation up close and personal left him at an all-time low he never imagined.
“The devastation of this community, the devastation of our church, I would mark that to probably be as low as I've ever been, second only to the passing of my mother, going home to be with the Lord,” he says of the wildfire. “That's how much emotional portion it's been on me in reference to seeing, experiencing, watching, and looking.”
As an empty lot now replaces despair, Dorsey and his congregants are breathing a sigh of relief as they move forward in faith.
“Now, there's greater hope, but there are still mountains to overcome and still barriers to break through. But we're happy to be at this point in terms of still being able to bless people, still being able to be supportive, still being able to strengthen our community, and helping their resolve to bring back their home [and] to bring back our church.”
Still, maintaining hope in the aftermath of any disaster can be challenging. But where can the church turn to for support when it is on the receiving end? That’s the question that continues to torment Dorsey.
“The most difficult portion is watching people you love hurt to the core and trying to regain what they've lost through the fire,” he says. “I’ve been on autopilot, like God really called me for this at this season. I've learned to appreciate the simplicity of things you take for granted. Everyone is even more important to me than ever before. I think that helps the coping mechanism.”
That hope is also demonstrated on Sunday mornings as worship services remain open. By having friends of faith in his corner, the church now operates at a neighboring campus led by Bishop Ricky Johnson, located at 1127 North Lake Avenue, about 10 minutes south of the Altadena location, which graciously offered an afternoon time slot.
“We went from mourning to joy. We've taken off the garment of mourning and put on the garment of praise,” says Dorsey. “One of the greatest things about that friendship is that I didn't have to ask him to come. He contacted me, and I cherished that thought process that God put in him.”
As Dorsey navigates the thicket of red tape, the church aims to reopen its doors in 2027 because “the joy of helping people” remains its “core value.” Even as the church faces uncertainties ahead, outreach remains the main goal through its food pantry.
“That’s who I am [because] ministry is loving God’s people.”
To help Lifeline Christian Center, check out their GoFundMe.
