Richard (Dick) Hetz

In Honor of
THE REV. RICHARD (DICK) HETZ

From Donn Crail
West Hollywood, California

The Rev. Dick Hetz was the pastor of Baldwin Park Presbyterian Church in San Gabriel Presbytery (now a More Light congregation) in the 1970's.  Though a gay man, Dick remained "technically" in the closet, and in 1980 was appointed as Stated Supply of West Hollywood Presbyterian Church during the years that Chris Glaser was there as Director of the Lazarus Project.  Though essentially filling that role, Chris could not be called as pastor of the church because the "definitive guidance" of the denomination did not allow him, as an openly gay man, to be ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament.  Dick remained moderator of the WHPC session until his untimely death in 1983.  In the history of the gay liberation struggle in the PCUSA Dick Hetz played an early and significant part.

This is one of fifteen stoles from members, elders, deacons, and pastoral staff at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church (WHPC).

West Hollywood Presbyterian Church is a historical icon in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community as well as the Welcoming Congregations movement.  WHPC was at the forefront of the civil rights movement in Los Angeles and in the early 1960's began to close each service by singing the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome" - a tradition that continues to this day.  As early as 1964 (five years before the Stonewall rebellion), West Hollywood Presbyterian Church hosted what is believed to be the first openly Gay Men's "Rap" Group in the city of Los Angeles and the church began to minister to the spiritual needs of the Gay & Lesbian community who had been drawn by its message of inclusiveness. Soon nationally known spiritual author Chris Glaser would launch "The Lazarus Project" at WHPC - A program to advocate for Gay & Lesbian spiritual and human rights.

In October of 1984, WHPC called an openly gay man, the Reverend Dan Smith, to serve as its pastor. Dan continues to be the only minister in the country serving a Presbyterian congregation who went through the entire call and installation process as an "out" gay man.  While proudly continuing its tradition of progressive spirituality and activism, this multi-cultural congregation feeds approximately 4,000 hungry and homeless people each year, builds homes for economically-challenged families under the "Habitat for Humanity" program, offers an HIV Spiritual Support Group, provides a "Children's Church" program and continues to openly take stands on political issues involving civil rights. West Hollywood Presbyterian also claims to espouse a theology that is "perhaps the most pro-feminist in Los Angeles."

Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006