Altadena Community Church

Altadena Community Church
The church building shortly after the Eaton Fire in January 2025
Location	943 E Altadena Drive Altadena, California, U.S.
Denomination	United Church of Christ
Website	altadenaucc.org
Architecture
Architect(s)	Harry L. Pierce
Groundbreaking	1947
Demolished	2025 (Eaton Fire)

Altadena Community Church was a United Church of Christ church in Altadena, California, built by the architect Harry L. Pierce in 1947 in a Spanish Colonial Revival style. ^[1] The church was a progressive Christian and open and affirming church and was the thirteenth church in the United Church of Christ that openly accepted LGBTQ people. ^[2]

History

Congregation

The Altadena Community Church congregation was founded in 1940. ^[3] The first pastor was M. K. W. Heicher, for whom the fellowship hall was later named. ^{[4] [5]} Wynn B. Norton and Julius H. Krueger were among the leaders in organizing the congregation. ^{[6] [7]} They met in homes, a local tavern, and the Masonic Temple in their early years.

The church was known for hosting cultural and community events. ^{[8] [9]} In 1949, they held a three-day concert series featuring Pasadena organist David Craighead on one of the evenings. ^[10] In 1959, the church held a "dramatic" Thanksgiving Day service, in seventeenth-century costumes, with men and women seated on separate sides of the sanctuary, a drummer, a sermon by minister Charles MacMillan Houser titled "Five Grains of Corn." ^[11] In 1969, the congregation produced "The Swinging Saints", a musical revue. ^[12]

The church was affiliated with the Los Angeles Association of Congregational Christian Churches beginning in 1942, ^[5] and joined the United Church of Christ denomination in 1967. ^[13] In 1986, Altadena Community Church became the thirteenth congregation in the United Church of Christ to declare itself an open and affirming church, affirming the equality of LGBTQ people. ^[14]

Building

The congregation purchased land near the intersection of Altadena Drive and North Lake Avenue before 1945, ^[15] and began construction on a church building in 1947, ^[13] under direction of the architect Harry L. Pierce, who is known for his revival structures in the area. Above the portal in a Romanesque Revival style was a rosary window, crafted by Judson Studios. ^[1] Throughout its history, the church was notable for its stained glass windows ^[16] and for its popular choir. ^{[17] [18]}

2025 Eaton Fire and aftermath

The church and homes of approximately 60 congregants were destroyed by the Eaton Fire in January 2025, and its pastor, Rev. Paul Tellström, retired shortly after. ^{[19] [20] [21]}

References

1. Lubell, Sam (January 15, 2025). "The Design Legacy of Los Angeles That Fell to the Fires". The New York Times . Retrieved January 16, 2025.
2. "A Beacon Lost to the Flames: Honoring Altadena Community Church - UCC Open and Affirming Coalition". openandaffirming.org. January 10, 2025. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
3. Touton, J. (2007, Jul 24). HISTORIC HUES. Pasadena Star - News Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/historic-hues/docview/378974309/se-2
4. "Pastor Vacations at Lake Tahoe". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. August 14, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
5. Shoop, C. F. (September 14, 1958). "San Gabriel Valley Church of the Week: Altadena Community Church". Independent Star-News. p. 4. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
6. "Church to Hold Fifth Annual Celebration". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. September 11, 1945. p. 22. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
7. "Krueger Funeral Rites Scheduled". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. December 31, 1945. p. 16. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
8. "Community Church in War Activities". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. December 19, 1941. p. 22. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
9. "Servicemen, Wives Honored by Church". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. January 14, 1946. p. 11. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
10. "Church Presents 3-Night Organ Series Oct. 28-30". Pasadena Independent. October 23, 1949. p. 24. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
11. "Church Sets Thanksgiving Day Program". Pasadena Independent. November 21, 1959. p. 5. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
12. "Rector's Role is Saintly One". Pasadena Independent Topics. November 5, 1969. p. 7. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
13. "Who We Are – Altadena Community Church".
14. Branson-Potts, Holly (January 12, 2025). "They lost their Altadena church in the Eaton fire. They still gathered to worship". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 17, 2025.
15. "Church Reports Finances in Good Condition". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. January 23, 1945. p. 11. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
16. "Altadena Community Church to Dedicate Two Windows". Pasadena Independent. May 28, 1948. p. 42. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
17. AP, GIOVANNA DELL'ORTO, LUIS ANDRES HENAO and PETER SMITH / (January 11, 2025). "L.A. Fires Destroy Houses of Worship, But People Persevere". TIME. Archived from the original on January 12, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
18. "Combined Choirs to Give Concert". Pasadena Independent. April 16, 1948. p. 44. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
19. "Churches, synagogues among the buildings destroyed by Los Angeles fires". Deseret News. January 8, 2025.
20. "Beloved places we've lost: Tracking LA fire destruction". LAist. January 9, 2025.
21. Rainey, James; Solis, Nathan; Ormseth, Matthew; Mejia, Brittny; Gomez, Mellisa (January 8, 2025). "With firefighters stretched thin, Altadena residents battle to save homes from flames". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 15, 2025.