Altadena Community Church

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Altadena Community Church
Altadena Community Church after Eaton Fire 2025.jpg
The church building shortly after the Eaton Fire in January 2025
Location943 E Altadena Drive
Altadena, California, U.S.
Denomination United Church of Christ
Website altadenaucc.org
Architecture
Architect(s) Harry L. Pierce
Groundbreaking 1947
Demolished2025 (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. It was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in January 2025.

History

Altadena Community Church congregation was founded in 1940. [2] They met in homes, a local tavern, and the Masonic Temple before beginning construction on a church building in 1947 [3] 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] The church joined the United Church of Christ in 1967. [3] In 1986, Altadena Community Church became the thirteenth congregation in the United Church of Christ to declare itself an open and affirming church, affirming of LGBTQ people. [4]

The church burned down during the Eaton Fire on 8 January 2025. [5] [6] [7]

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References

  1. 1 2 Lubell, Sam (15 January 2025). "The Design Legacy of Los Angeles That Fell to the Fires". The New York Times . Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  2. Touton, J. (2007, Jul 24). HISTORIC HUES. Pasadena Star - News Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/historic-hues/docview/378974309/se-2
  3. 1 2 "Who We Are – Altadena Community Church".
  4. Branson-Potts, Holly (12 January 2025). "They lost their Altadena church in the Eaton fire. They still gathered to worship". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 17 January 2025.
  5. "Churches, synagogues among the buildings destroyed by Los Angeles fires". Deseret News. 8 January 2025.
  6. "Beloved places we've lost: Tracking LA fire destruction". LAist. 9 January 2025.
  7. 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 15 January 2025.