“She is the church’s foundation” These words from a 1988 Los Angeles Times article about First Presbyterian Church of Inglewood resonate even today. This isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to Inglewood’s history. First Presbyterian Church of Inglewood stands as a silent observer of the city’s dramatic transformations. From its humble beginnings in a town of under 300 people to a modern city of 100000. The church has weathered storms both literal and figurative.
Established in tough times the church’s early years mirrored Inglewood’s own struggles. Wild hogs roamed the outskirts. Roads were impassable. Imagine the grit of those early founders. Fourteen individuals including William Kelso Inglewood’s first mayor. They built a church at Market and Queen streets. The advent of the streetcar however forced a relocation. Sand and fleas were unwelcome guests.
Their second location at Nutwood and Commercial streets was a temporary haven. By 1922 when Gladys Waddingham arrived Inglewood was booming. It was the fastest-growing city in the nation. But beneath the surface lay a conservative city grappling with prejudice. Waddingham’s own history chronicles ‘Caucasian-only’ signs and a tragic Ku Klux Klan raid. The First Presbyterian Church of Inglewood existed amidst this.
The 1940s brought immense change. The aircraft industry and real estate spurred incredible growth. Groundbreaking for the present church at Hillcrest and Queen streets happened in 1945. This coincided with wartime activity nearby. Troops were stationed at Hollywood Park Race Track. Anti-aircraft batteries were positioned near Century Boulevard. The church’s growth mirrored the city’s.
The 1960s and 70s presented a new set of challenges. Rapid racial change caused conflict. Presbyterian officials deemed the church a ‘crisis church’ predicting its demise by 1979. Ann Gibbs and Thomas Hawkins however spearheaded a determined fight for survival and integration. They transformed the church’s nursery school into a full-day program. This outreach effort proved invaluable. It attracted Black families to the church stabilizing its membership and creating a truly integrated community.
Today First Presbyterian Church of Inglewood continues its work. It serves as a place of worship and a center for community engagement. It grapples with the challenges of attracting younger members. It seeks to embrace the growing Latino population of Inglewood. The spirit of those early founders the resilience of Gladys Waddingham and the unwavering commitment of later leaders are all woven into the very fabric of this place. Standing here you’re not just looking at a church. You’re experiencing a living piece of Inglewood’s vibrant and complex story.