The beginnings of our Holiness Conference stem from the Oriental Missionary Society, a missionary-sending organization, today known as the OMS International. In 1901, Charles and Lettie Cowman arrived in Tokyo, Japan to begin fulfilling their dream of establishing a missionary society that would train nationals to win their own people. They were met by Juji Nakada, an evangelist who became a Christian under the witnessing of Mr. Cowman. Shortly thereafter, the Cowmans were joined by Ernest Kilbourne Sr. and in 1905 together established the Oriental Missionary Society. Gospel meetings were held nightly in Tokyo resulting in Akiji Kurumada and Sadaichi Kuzuhara becoming two of the first converts. In 1917, the Japanese Holiness Church was organized with Rev. Juji Nakada being elected as its first bishop.

In October 1920, a group of students began prayer meetings at the Trinity Missionary Church in Hollywood, California. The group was comprised of young people still in their early twenties: Henry Teru Sakuma, George Yahiro, and Paul Okamoto, were students at the California Bible College, an affiliate of the Oriental Missionary Society, and met together with Hatsu Yahiro, Toshio Hirano, Aya Okuda, and Hanako Yoneyama. The prayer group was ministered by Rev. Ugo Nakada, son of Bishop Nakada.

The dedicated group held street meetings at East First and San Pedro Streets in Los Angeles and began Sunday afternoon worship services. When the work began to prosper, the group rented a house and formally established the church, giving birth to the Oriental Missionary Society Holiness Church of Los Angeles in April 1921.In June 1921, earnest prayers for a permanent pastor were answered through the negotiations of Rev. Nakada with Rev. Sadaichi Kuzuhara, then a student at Asbury College. Rev. Kuzuhara, who formerly served as pastor and instructor at the Bible Institute of Tokyo, accepted the invitation and came to the group as its first pastor. The group was organized in August 1921 as the "Japanese Holiness Church" with loose ties to the Oriental Missionary Society. The church and the affiliated Bible School were located in Southwest Los Angeles at 36th and Denker - just a few blocks from the present location of the Los Angeles Holiness Church.

The early days were a time of testing and discipline for the young students who totally devoted their lives to the support of the young church. Working as gardeners and fruit stand clerks during the day and attending school at night, these people became wholly consecrated to their vision of evangelizing the Japanese community. Some of them would even suspend their studies to devote more time to the effort. Under the spiritual guidance of Rev. Kuzuhara, they were instructed and trained for the work which the Lord had in store for them. A revival took place in 1922 to 1923 as their ministry expanded beyond the Los Angeles area to Long Beach, Laguna, West Adams, Fruitland, San Fernando, and Baldwin Park. Between 1924 and 1934, work began in a number of cities across the nation. A church in Modesto, California was founded by Rev. Toshio Hirano in 1924. Rev. Hirano would later serve as the first pastor of the Honolulu Holiness Church.

The San Lorenzo church was founded in 1929 with Rev. George Yahiro as pastor. A year later, the San Diego church was formed under the leadership of Rev. Kichiro Fukuda.

The Hilo Holiness church was founded soon after, in 1933, on the, island of Hawaii. 1934 was the most productive year with accomplishments in San Fernando, Baldwin Park, San Francisco, Centerville (now known as Fremont), and Seattle.In 1940, the first Holiness Church Young People's Federation was organized with Miye Yamasaki Nishita as its first president. Prior to this, the English-speaking ministry was mainly among Nisei youth and children. Although the Federation was dissolved during the war, this group was the forerunner of the Nisei churches.With the coming of World War II and the subsequent evacuation of the Japanese from the West Coast, most of the self-supporting churches were closed except for the church in Honolulu - some ten churches in all. In spite of the circumstances, however, the Chicago Holiness Church became established during this period.

The post-war period brought a new vigor into the churches as a growing number of Nisei ministers assisted in the faithful labors of the early founders.

English-speaking congregations were formed throughout California - in Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, San Diego, San Lorenzo, Santa Clara Valley, and also in Honolulu. In the 1970's, more churches were founded in California - Orange County and Walnut Creek - and in Pearl City, Hawaii.In 1959, the Holiness Conference underwent a major change in organization from the Episcopal or Bishop (one-man) system, to the Presbyterian form, with each church represented by delegates to a yearly General Conference. Under this system, the Executive Council and its committees became the administrative body.

Each church contributed financially with some churches providing personnel for the Conference organization. The 1960's ushered in years of church building and expansion. Building plans, loans, Sunday School growth, new Japanese immigrants, and strengthening of Conference committees were prevailing concerns.Several of the original Issei pastors retired in the 1970's, and by the 1980's, even the Nisei ministers were reaching retirement age. To fill the gap, several seminary students from both the Japanese and English-speaking departments emerged. The challenge now before the Conference is to open up new churches and to institute new ministries. These should include Christian education to fit our unique needs, music, evangelism, and special ministries to youth, young adults and the elderly.