We are part of the 60-member Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) temples. The temple belongs to the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji Ha tradition of Buddhism and the Mother Temple is the Nishi Hongwanji located in Kyoto, Japan.

SACBC was established on May 26, 1961 and became independent from the Alameda Temple on April 8, 1965. As a member of the Buddhist Churches of America, which has its headquarters in nearby San Francisco, we are part of the Jodo Shinshu branch, or what is also known as the Pure Land sect (more info).

Services were held in homes, a grammar school and a hall in Fremont until the purchase of 3.5 acres in Union City on April 24, 1961. The temple was first built in the early 1960's and classrooms were soon constructed next to the hondo in 1965. An altar was donated by the Oxnard Buddhist Temple in March of 1967. Then in the 1970's, the minster's residence and Sangha Hall were built.

Affiliated and Associate organizations established includes: Japanese Language School (1964), Fujinkai/Buddhist Women's Association (1965), Jr. YBA (1965), Dharma School (1965), Choir (1970), YABA (1994), Boy Scouts and O Nami Taiko group (1997).

In October of 2002, the Church celebrated 40 years in its current location in Union City, California.

The Church holds three fund-raising activities per year: Crab Feast, Annual Bazaar and Obon Festival.