Bethlehem Baptist Church (Los Angeles)

In 2011

The Bethlehem Baptist Church is a building in Los Angeles designed by architect R.M. Schindler, and built in 1944. Located at 4901 Compton Avenue,[1] on the corner of Compton Avenue and 49th Street,[2] it is the only example of a church designed by Schindler, and "the lone example of Modernist architecture to cross Los Angeles economic and racial boundaries in the era of Jim Crow housing covenants."[3]

History

In 2009, Bethlehem Baptist was declared a Historic-Cultural Monument by the Los Angeles City Council. It has been in a state of abandonment for around ten years and is now open and housing the Faith Build International congregation. Faith-Build International paid the initial $17,500 to lease the property with an option to buy, then began restoring it in February 2014.[2]

In late 2015, the Bethlehem Baptist Church hosted artist Robert Barry’s first solo show in Los Angeles since 1989.[1]

Design

A downward-sloping floor leads to the pulpit, which branches out to two seating areas at 90-degree angles.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 David Pagel (November 24, 2015), Critic's Choice: Robert Barry has words with Rudolph Schindler Los Angeles Times.
  2. 1 2 3 Carren Jao (August 29, 2014), Rudolph Schindler-designed Bethlehem Baptist Church regains splendor Los Angeles Times.
  3. ↑ "Found: R.M. Schindler's hidden church". LA Times. Retrieved 3 June 2013.

Coordinates: 33°59′54″N 118°14′53″W / 33.998348°N 118.247962°W / 33.998348; -118.247962

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