Assemblymember Holden Honors the Late Rev. George F. Regas on Assembly Floor

Led by Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), the California Assembly on Tuesday adjourned in memory of All Saints Rector Emeritus Rev. George F. Regas,

Regas, the former rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena from 1967 to 1995, died on Jan. 3. He was 90 years old.

“Like many of who knew him, I was saddened by the loss of Rev. George F. Regas, but his legacy continues with the contributions he made to social change and the inspiration he provided to all of us,” said Holden, a former Pasadena mayor and city councilmember.

“His bold leadership to advance civil rights, women’s ordination, LGBTQ marriage equality, and reversing the arms race laid a foundation for his successors to build upon,” Holden said.

Regas was born on Oct. 1, 1930, in Knoxville, Tennessee to Greek immigrant parents. He planned to become a medical doctor, but a spiritual epiphany led him to a life in the ministry.  He completed his theological studies in Cambridge, Massachusetts before being ordained a deacon in 1956 and a priest in 1957.

Regas received the call to succeed All Saints Rector John Burt when he was 36. At the time, All Saints was starting its growing impact as the largest Episcopal congregation in the western United States.

“The impact of Rev. George Regas’ deep faith to advocate for practical social action continues to be felt today,” said Holden. “Every year, my office has received packets of letters originating from All Saints’ Peace and Justice Ministry, and signed by parishioners urging support for many bills relevant to social justice causes.”

Regas encouraged and helped cultivate the formation of a number of fledgling organizations which over the years grew into influential local nonprofits.

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles praised Regas for his “bold leadership [that] advanced civil rights, women’s ordination, LGBTQ marriage equality, and reversing the arms race.”

During his 28 years at All Saints, Regas focused on peace and justice, while also forging a strong community of faith from a diverse population.

Regas worked with his friend Archbishop Desmond Tutu to establish a South Africa ministry at All Saints Church. The focus was on two areas: an exchange program with South African clergy coming to Pasadena for rest, renewal, and mutual enrichment; and organizing delegations from All Saints to travel to South Africa. The church was also an organizing place for boycotting and disinvestment from South African products.

When his successor the Rev. Ed Bacon was told about Regas’ passing, Bacon called it not only an end of an era for All Saints Church but for American Christianity, according to the church’s website.

During Regas’ tenure, the church started Union Station in 1970 as a total service center for homeless citizens of the San Gabriel Valley. With an annual budget of more than $2 million, the facility accommodates 80 people and remains committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness. Union Station works closely with clients with substance abuse problems to help steer them toward appropriate healing instruments.

Following the Sept. 11. 2001, terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., Regas established the interfaith group Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace (ICUJP).
The group played a significant role in advocating for peace and seeking to be an alternative voice to the war on terrorism.

In 1986, Regis helped establish the All Saints AIDS Service Center. It eventually became a major AIDS program in the San Gabriel Valley. The Center has now expanded from its church roots by dropping the “All Saints” preface to be more inclusive and has an annual budget of over $4 million.

He also supervised the creation of Young & Healthy in 1984, a pioneering program to serve uninsured and underinsured children in Pasadena. This effort has been extremely successful and has been copied in several other cities.