Hating on the Purple Church

One of the occasional pastimes of people in Hollywood is hating on our church building. I've had plenty of people rave about how they love the unique "atomic" architecture of our church, but lately I've been running across blogger who have been posting these little drive-by screeds. Like John W. Smart, for example. I don't know who he is but today he writes a post about my church called, "Los Angeles eye sore of the day."

But it's okay. I can embrace this weakness for the sake of the work we're doing in the community. We're making good use the facility whether it's considered beautiful by everyone or not. I admit to hating the building when I first arrived, but I've really grown to appreciate it. Everything, that is, except the block walls and black iron fences that surround the place. Ah well...

Comments

[Neville]

This church is included in the Los Angeles Conservancy's poll on the "Favorite Sixties Buildings", "Ecclesiastical" category. It is number 9 of 21. Vallejo Drive SDA church, by the same architect, Bob Burman, is #20.

http://lac.laconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=60sVotingPage

The poll is only for fun and has no official outcome, but it is an indication that the Conservancy considers the design significant enough to be recognized.

Voting deadline is March 1, 2010.

[Ryan Van Dolson]

I have to admit that his description of your church's steeple is pretty funny. "A post Tunguska blast petrified tree placed in a planter made to look like an Ikea standing lamp."

Thankfully, what happens on the inside is more important that what's happening on the "sherbet purple" outside.

Cheers.

[J. Vega]

I grew up in L.A. I've always thought this church building is ultra cool. It is very L.A. and it's a beautiful example of mid-century architecture built to the glory of God. If some think it looks like a lamp, that's good. The church is supposed to be a light in the world anyway.