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Altadena Community Church

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Altadena Community Church
The church building shortly after the Eaton Fire in January 2025
Location943 E Altadena Drive
Altadena, California, U.S.
DenominationUnited Church of Christ
Websitealtadenaucc.org
Architecture
Architect(s)Harry L. Pierce
Groundbreaking1947
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.[2]

History

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Congregation

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b 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. ^ "A Beacon Lost to the Flames: Honoring Altadena Community Church - UCC Open and Affirming Coalition". openandaffirming.org. 2025-01-10. Retrieved 2025-01-26.
  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. 1942-08-14. p. 10. Retrieved 2025-02-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b Shoop, C. F. (1958-09-14). "San Gabriel Valley Church of the Week: Altadena Community Church". Independent Star-News. p. 4. Retrieved 2025-02-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Church to Hold Fifth Annual Celebration". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. 1945-09-11. p. 22. Retrieved 2025-02-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Krueger Funeral Rites Scheduled". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. 1945-12-31. p. 16. Retrieved 2025-02-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Community Church in War Activities". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. 1941-12-19. p. 22. Retrieved 2025-02-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Servicemen, Wives Honored by Church". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. 1946-01-14. p. 11. Retrieved 2025-02-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Church Presents 3-Night Organ Series Oct. 28-30". Pasadena Independent. 1949-10-23. p. 24. Retrieved 2025-02-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Church Sets Thanksgiving Day Program". Pasadena Independent. 1959-11-21. p. 5. Retrieved 2025-02-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Rector's Role is Saintly One". Pasadena Independent Topics. 1969-11-05. p. 7. Retrieved 2025-02-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b "Who We Are – Altadena Community Church".
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Church Reports Finances in Good Condition". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. 1945-01-23. p. 11. Retrieved 2025-02-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Altadena Community Church to Dedicate Two Windows". Pasadena Independent. 1948-05-28. p. 42. Retrieved 2025-02-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ AP, GIOVANNA DELL'ORTO, LUIS ANDRES HENAO and PETER SMITH / (2025-01-11). "L.A. Fires Destroy Houses of Worship, But People Persevere". TIME. Retrieved 2025-02-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Combined Choirs to Give Concert". Pasadena Independent. 1948-04-16. p. 44. Retrieved 2025-02-04 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Churches, synagogues among the buildings destroyed by Los Angeles fires". Deseret News. 8 January 2025.
  20. ^ "Beloved places we've lost: Tracking LA fire destruction". LAist. 9 January 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 15 January 2025.
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