Our History

On the 90th Anniversary of the Buddhist Church of Parlier, it is only fitting to pay tribute to the many, many individuals who made this significant milestone possible. We give special thanks to the Japanese pioneers who immigrated to a new country and settled in this region over a century ago. Their commitment to retaining and continuing their connection to the Nembutsu was critical to the founding of our church. Collective effort, sacrifice, creativity, and resilience led to the successful establishment of our temple, which has served five generations of our Sangha.

Jodo Shinshu was introduced to the tiny farming community of Parlier in the early 1900s by the hardy Issei laborers who were brought in to develop the rich farmland. Most of them were from Hiroshima and they brought with them Omyogo, a heritage of Jodo Shinshu, that had been their way of life for generations.

The arrival of spouses and families led to the creation of a Japanese community organization. It is believed the pioneer of the Japanese settlement was Takichi Nakao, probably the first Issei to purchase his own farm in 1910. Families gathered in homes until a two-story, former post office building was purchased and used for meetings, religious services, and language school for over two decades. Rev. Ryuchi Fujii and his wife taught Japanese language and organized the first Sunday School program, Buddhist Fujinkai, and the Young Women’s Buddhist Association in the early 1920s.

By the 1930s, the organization had grown to over a hundred families and the decision was made to establish an independent church. In the summer of 1930, a group of Issei farmers applied to become a state charter organization. In 1931, the group purchased an old garage building to serve as the temple and voted to become affiliated with the Higashi Honganji. The Buddhist Church of Parlier was formed.

Rev. Chijo Suyemori of the Berkeley Higashi Honganji became the first resident minister. The building was remodeled and officially dedicated on December 25, 1932. When Rev. Suyemori returned to Japan in 1936, Rev. Shosetsu Tsufura became the resident minister.

World War II brought the suspension of church activities, when church members were relocated and incarcerated at Gila River, Arizona. Rev. Tsufura went with the congregation, and later moved to Seabrook, New Jersey. During the war, the church building was used as a warehouse to store personal belongings and the Onaijin until it was vandalized in 1943. Items were stolen and destroyed. When church members began returning to the area in 1945, they faced discrimination and hostilities as they worked to rebuild their homes and livelihoods. The church was used as temporary housing for some returning families. Parlier residents sought the help of the Fresno Buddhist Church to conduct services and reactivate the church. Rev. Kakumin Fujinaga was assigned to Parlier in 1945. In 1947, the church was reorganized and became affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America. Rev. Fujinaga was assigned as resident minister in 1948 and remained until 1955.

Under the guidance of Rev. Fujinaga and his wife Kinu, Sunday School and the Young Buddhist Association were reorganized. Nisei members began assuming active administration of the Church. Despite financial, social, and political obstacles, the Church experienced much progress and growth through the 1950s. With the growth of membership, plans were made to build a new church at its present site on Newmark Avenue. Construction began in 1955. During the time of construction, Rev. Gibun Kimura, the resident minister of the Reedley Buddhist Church, was the acting minister. The 10,000 square foot church and social hall building were completed in 1956, with the donation of thousands of hours of labor and funding by almost a hundred families. Rev. Akira Ono was appointed as the first resident minister of the new church. Rev. Hakushi Futaba was assigned as resident minister in 1959 and officiated at the Dedication Ceremonies of the completed education complex comprised of ten classrooms. In 1968, Rev. Seiko Okahashi became the resident minister and officiated the dedication of the new minister’s residence in 1969. This was followed by the purchase of a three-acre parking lot directly across from the church. The entire project took over 20 years to complete, at a cost of more than $200,000. The completion of the present-day Buddhist Church of Parlier facility was marked by a mortgage-burning ceremony in 1973, officiated by Rev. Shintatsu Sanada, who had been serving as resident minister since 1970.

In 1975, Rev. Ikuo Nishimura was appointed resident minister and served until his transfer to Watsonville in 1983. Rev. Masaaki Yamamoto became resident minister from December 1983 to May 1987, when he returned to Japan. In May 1989, Rev. Kenjitsu Nakagaki was transferred from the Seattle Buddhist Church to become resident minister until he was reassigned in 1994. The most recent resident minister of Parlier was Rev. Shiro Nishii, who served from 1994 to 1997. His wife, Janet, was an active and vital supporter of the church as she helped organize many activities, including food bazaars and fundraising projects. After their departure, the temple has not had a resident minister. We have received the support of supervising ministers Rev. George Shibata, Rev. Sensho Inouye, and Rev. Alan Sakamoto, who have since retired, and Rev. Matthew Hamasaki, who was transferred to the Sacramento Buddhist Church in 2017.

Currently there are two Buddhist ministers, Rinban Kakei Nakagawa and Rev. Kazuaki Nakata, who oversee the activities and service needs for all seven BCA Temples in the Central California region, including the Buddhist Church of Parlier. Rev. Nakata has brought much energy and enthusiasm to the temples in Central California since his transfer to the area in 2019. Rev. Midori Nakagawa, who is the wife of Rinban Nakagawa, is a Kyoshi-level minister who assists with services and teaching. In addition to serving the needs of the temple communities, Rinban Nakagawa, Rev. Nakata, and Rev. Nakagawa have been actively engaged in furthering Buddhist education studies by creating a Central California Ministerial Association Program (CCMAP). CCMAP classes enable laypersons to pursue Tokudo ordination, which allows them to assist with con- ducting services.

Throughout these changes, the Buddhist teaching of impermanence has been evident. Our temple has remained active in keeping the Dharma lively and meaningful with various programs, services, classes and activities. In 2008, eight members of the Buddhist Church of Parlier embarked on a journey to further their knowledge of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism under the guidance of Rev. Sensho Inouye. After three years of attending bimonthly classes, rigorous studies, and many hours of chanting practice, Curtis and Cheryl Koga, Calvin and Julie Doi, Yuki and Toshie Mori, Fumiye Inouye and Judge Mikio Uchiyama earned the certification of Minister’s Assistants in April 2011. Due to a severe shortage of ministers in Central California, Minister’s Assistants, along with numerous high profile guest speakers, have been instrumental in providing monthly services and special services.

In October 2009, Curtis Koga started a monthly Dharma Discussion class, leading participants in a relaxed setting with thought-provoking, meaningful, and fun topics that encouraged reflection and practical application of Buddhism in our daily lives. With his enthusiasm for the Dharma and untiring efforts, the class continued for 11 years.

Sangha Gatherings took the place of Dharma School in October 2012 and continue through the present. These monthly services for temple families are organized and chaired by volunteers, who also prepare the Onaijin. The combined efforts of all who attend Sangha Gatherings demonstrate the teamwork and dedication of the Parlier Sangha members.

In 2014, with strong support and urging from the Parlier and surrounding temples’ ministers, Yuki and Toshie Mori pursued and received Tokudo ordination in Japan and were ordained as priests of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji Ha, at the motherland temple in Kyoto. The Moris have since assisted with conducting services for temples in the Cen- tral California area.

Presently, the Buddhist Church of Parlier has about 70 members. Although our membership is small, the church is spiritually strong and continues to move forward with the heart of Okagesama - interdependence and indebtedness. Throughout the COVID- 19 Pandemic that began in March 2020, which closed the doors of many religious institutions, the Nembutsu teaching has been a force that kept spirits high and allowed members to stay resilient.

The stone monument in front of our church, erected in 1991, has engraved in Japanese, “Gaku Butsu Dai Hi Shin.” Its meaning, "Those who are always eager to learn the heart of great compassion," was the spirit of the Issei’s desire to spread the Nembutsu. This was the foundation on which the Buddhist Church of Parlier was built. We continue to reap the benefits of the Dharma and fellowship that the Issei envisioned for the future. We can honor the people of past and present by living in gratitude and appreciating Shinran Shonin’s Nembutsu teaching. The Buddhist Church of Parlier will continue to be an inspirational place, a place of ondobo-ondogyo, where people can enjoy the Dharma together for many years to come.