“Demolished”. That’s the stark reality of the Twentyeighth Church of Christ Scientist. Yet its story remains. The Twentyeighth Church of Christ Scientist once stood as a beacon of Mid-Century Modernism. It was located at Hilgard Avenue and Lindbrook Drive.
Let’s step back in time. The congregation started small in 1928. They gathered in a Westwood storeroom. By 1931, they had grown enough to purchase two lots. In 1935, the first church was built. But the community kept growing.
The 1940s saw continued expansion. A larger building was needed. Maynard Lyndon was hired. He was a noted Los Angeles architect. In 1955, the new Twentyeighth Church of Christ Scientist was completed.
Imagine a curved concrete wall. It faced the corner of Hilgard and Lindbrook. Tiny round openings punctuated it like a monumental pegboard. The building echoed this curve. Simple concrete walls were ornamented by lush landscaping.
Garrett Eckbo designed integrated courtyards. His firm was Eckbo, Dean, Austin and Williams or EDAW. These courtyards linked the outdoors and indoors. They provided a beautiful transition. The transition was between the main building and older structures.
Think of sunken gardens. Picture various tree species. See concrete planters and strips of green grass. The church wasn’t dedicated until 1961. This followed the church’s philosophy. Dedication should wait until construction debts were paid.
The Twentyeighth Church of Christ Scientist was more than a building. It was a community. The mission was to support Christian Science. They did so through spiritual healing. They shared and expressed love. They recognized Christ in all.
Sunday services involved singing hymns. People prayed together. They heard the Bible Lesson Sermon read. The Pastor was the Holy Bible and Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.
Wednesday services also included hymns and prayers. Passages related to community issues were read. Individuals shared healing experiences.
The church tenets guided their lives. They took the Bible as their guide. They acknowledged one supreme God. They forgave sin through spiritual understanding. They saw Jesus’ atonement as evidence of divine love. They promised to be merciful just and pure.
Today, the Twentyeighth Church of Christ Scientist is gone. It was demolished in April 2017. Yet its memory lives on. It reminds us of a community’s growth faith and architectural grace.