The Chinese Community United Methodist Church was founded in Oakland Chinatown in Oakland, California, in 1887. The church was established to be part of a chain of Methodist Chinese Missions by the Rev. Dr. Otis T. Gibson. Originally, the Chinese Methodist Church held worship service and Sunday School. Then to serve the growing Chinese community needs, an English school for immigrants, and a Chinese school for the American born Chinese also operated. The church was sustained by courageous Chinese and American born workers, specifically as there was strong anti-Chinese sentiments.