Bethlehem Baptist Church (Los Angeles)

The Bethlehem Baptist Church is a building in Los Angeles designed by architect R.M. Schindler, and built in 1944. Located in the Central-Alameda district of Los Angeles.[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]

In 2011

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


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