Can you envision a tent erected on East Avenue 28? That was the humble beginning of what would become the Sichel Street Church of Christ.
The Sepulveda Church of Christ has a deep history. It started with a tent meeting led by G. W. Riggs in 1903. For a year, services continued in that tent. Then, they moved into a tabernacle on Manitou Avenue.
In 1910, the church finally occupied a permanent building. It stood at the corner of Sichel and Altura Streets. G. W. Riggs remained an elder there until his death.
From this church, many other Los Angeles congregations started. Also, churches in Riverside, Downey, Fresno, and San Diego grew. Other cities include Dinuba, Alhambra, Fillmore, Santa Paula, and more.
Many noted preachers have served here since 1940. They include F. W. Mattox and Chester Elford. Also, H. O. Wilson, Mark McElhaney, and Roy Key. Lloyd Ellis, John Wolfe, and Byron Brown also served. Carl Mitchell, Elton Davis, Gene Powell, Kenneth Shrable, Bill Free, and Dale Townsend followed. The present minister is Jess Armas. L. C. Flint, Lewis M. Duff, and Paul Eldridge serve as elders.
The Sichel Street Church became a mother church. It planted the Central Church of Christ in 1922. That church was at Twelfth and Hoover Streets. Others were planted as well.
G. W. Riggs arrived in Los Angeles with missionary zeal. He first preached in Arizona with little success. He moved on preaching in Long Beach for six weeks. There was no perceptible good being done.
Pomona was better. He saw eleven additions. Five weeks in Tolbert brought five more additions. Santa Ana saw the start of a twenty-member congregation.
Riggs received encouragement in East Los Angeles. Paul Gray, an elder from Detroit, visited. R. H. Boll, Riggs’ former classmate, helped with preaching. Austin McGary and his family also visited.
Before Riggs, R. H. Boll preached in a tent meeting. He preached the old gospel of Christ. Thirty people were added. Some came from the same Christian Church that Sanders had left.
Southern California’s population was half a million back then. Only six congregations existed. They all struggled. Riggs noted that eastern Christians had different viewpoints. Some opposed Sunday Schools. Some opposed literature. Some wanted only one communion cup. These differences caused bickering.
The Los Angeles Church needed a new building. They thought the tent had a bad image. By 1905, they met at 2115 Maniton Avenue. It was a cheap house but on a tabernacle style.
By 1909, they planned a new building. Members gave generously. A building seating 350 people was built. It was on Sichel and Altura Streets. The first service was on March 6, 1910. It was an old-time all-day meeting.
Christians from the East kept arriving. Dr. A. P. Davis moved from Dallas. Felix Owen came from Tennessee. F. W. Smith came from Tennessee to preach. R. H. Boll returned for another meeting.
After the building was done in 1910, Riggs went on a campaign. He wanted to spread the gospel. He started three congregations that year. One was in San Diego. Another was in Downey. One was in Orange County.
The Sichel Street Church of Christ faced challenges. It persevered through them all. It became a foundation for many other churches. It stands as a testament to faith.