Time traveling back to 1903. The story of Hermon Free Methodist Church begins. It is intertwined with the establishment of the Hermon neighborhood itself. Imagine a group of Free Methodists seeking a place to build a school in Los Angeles. Ralph Rogers offered them land in an isolated valley.
The church obtained the land. Rogers provided one hundred building lots. These lots were sold to raise money. This money was used to build classrooms. The community of Hermon was born. It was named after the biblical Mount Hermon. Families populated the area so their children could attend the school.
The school grew. It became Los Angeles Pacific College in 1934. Unfortunately, the buildings deteriorated. They were too damaged to be brought up to code. The college closed in 1965. The campus housed a private college prep high school until 2003. Now, Bethesda Christian University owns it. They lease it to Los Angeles College Prep Academy.
Hermon officially became part of Los Angeles in 1912. Bridges improved connectivity. The Avenue 60 bridge over the Arroyo Seco was built in 1926. The Monterey Road pass followed in 1930. The Hermon Avenue bridge, now Via Marisol, was completed in 1939.
Originally, Hermon spanned 100 small lots. It has grown into a community of roughly 3,500 residents. The Hermon Neighborhood Council was certified in 2017. It is the smallest Los Angeles neighborhood advisory board.
Hermon is nestled in a half square-mile valley. The Arroyo Seco and the 110 freeway border it to the west. Rose Hills lies to the south. South Pasadena is to the north. Monterey Hills sits to the east. Fun fact. The “Hermon” sign at the Arroyo Seco Freeway exit was initially misspelled “Herman”.
The Free Methodist connection remained strong. Streets were named after early clergymen. Ebey, Coleman, Terrill and Redfield are examples. For many years, Hermon was a “dry” community. Alcohol sales were prohibited until the college moved.
Today, Hermon Free Methodist Church continues its mission. It reminds the community that nobody is alone. This is especially true during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. The church adapted. It found new ways to connect with people while staying socially distant. It stands as a beacon of hope. It adapts to life. It prepares for what God has next.
So, as we stand here. Think about the church’s journey. Think about the community’s resilience. Hermon Free Methodist Church is not just a building. It is a testament to faith. It is a symbol of community. It is a reminder that even in the heart of Los Angeles, a small neighborhood can have a big heart.