Board Refuses to Reconsider Vote Urging Historic Status for Church

The Los Angeles County Historical Landmarks and Records Commission on Thursday refused to reconsider its March recommendation that the Agua Dulce Christian Church, built in 1926, be designated an official Point of Historical Interest.

The congregation has been fighting the designation, which would make it more difficult to raze the church.

The congregation wants to replace the tiny cinder-block building with a larger, modern facility.

In 1989, the county Board of Public Works issued an order to vacate the facility because it does not meet earthquake standards.

The congregation must now hold services in the nearby Sunday school building.

A group of 300 residents signed petitions urging that the church be saved as a memento of the area’s past.

The building, constructed on a two-acre parcel donated by a pioneer family in 1914 for a community school site, was used as a school until 1950, when it was converted to a church.

The commission Thursday refused to rescind its March 12 vote recommending that the church be given the historic designation.

Commissioner Barbara Henderson called the controversy the most difficult decision in her 24 years on the panel.

The recommendation goes to the County Board of Supervisors.

If the board supports the designation, the matter goes to the State Historical Resources Commission for a final vote.