WHO WE ARE

History of Spiritual Life Center

Spiritual Life Center was founded in September 1998 as an independent interfaith church. SLC was conceived by a small group of determined souls who were seeking a different kind of spiritual family--they were interested in building a community that would continuously evolve and grow; be fully inclusive; and develop its foundation by building peace among the world’s people and religions. The idea for this new kind of church fell upon fertile ground in Sacramento and came to fruition less than one year later.

In early 1998, following a Men’s Retreat, the seed was first planted when Michael and Faith Moran were approached about the possibility of returning to Sacramento to start a new church with an interfaith focus. In July of 1998, Michael and Faith were in Sacramento visiting with a group of friends who had known them at Christ Unity Church. The possibility of this new kind of spiritual community was raised again. While not convinced that there would be enough support for such a venture, Michael and Faith agreed to attend a meeting “to see if anybody shows up.”

In September 1998, more than 200 enthusiastic supporters, who had learned of the meeting by phone, email, and word-of-mouth, showed up at the Radisson Hotel. On that day, Michael and Faith Moran were introduced, not only to their new congregation, but to a newly formed Board of Trustees. Coupled with his own passion and his trust of Faith’s intuition, Michael was convinced that Sacramento was to be the home of the church they had dreamed of when they entered ministerial school in 1984.

In September 1998, more than 200 enthusiastic supporters, who had learned of the meeting by phone, email, and word-of-mouth, showed up at the Radisson Hotel. On that day, Michael and Faith Moran were introduced, not only to their new congregation, but to a newly formed Board of Trustees. Coupled with his own passion and his trust of Faith’s intuition, Michael was convinced that Sacramento was to be the home of the church they had dreamed of when they entered ministerial school in 1984.

On November 1, 1998, SLC held its first services at the “Little Church” at 24th & K Streets. During the first year, the overflow crowds required that services be expanded to three services each Sunday, as well as a Thursday night meditation service. It was not long until a Sacramento Fire Marshall encouraged Michael to search for a larger venue. As the congregation grew to over 500 people, spirit led us to the beautiful Pioneer Church, located only four blocks away. On January 16, 2000, SLC held its first services at Pioneer Church.

From the beginning, SLC took its place in the Sacramento community by tithing ten percent of all donations to local charities, as well as engaging in dialogue between the different faiths of Sacramento. The SLC community was soon committed to realizing Faith Moran’s dream of building a house through Habitat for Humanity. In 2002, SLC and its partners stood together on the foundation of what would be the very first Habitat House ever built by an interfaith partnership.