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Overview

The Harvard Heights United Presbyterian Church operated at 18th and Western beginning in 1905. Architect Frank M. Tyler, who lived in the Harvard Heights neighborhood and who designed the Parsonage of the Harvard Heights United Presbyterian Church (1908) may have been the architect for the church, as well.

Building History

An 07/29/1905 article in the Los Angeles Herald noted the upcoming cornerstone laying event for the Harvard Heights United Presbyterian ChurchThe Harvard Heights church was a mission of the First United Presbyterian Church, and Reverend Will W. Logan presided at the event. (See "Priest Receives Chaplain Robes," Los Angeles Herald, vol. 32, no. 301, 07/29/1905, p. 12.) Another Los Angeles Heraldarticle published after the event summarized the proceedings:

"The cornerstone of the Harvard Heights United Presbyterian church was laid yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large concourse of people. The edifice is at the corner of Western avenue and Eighteenth street. Miss Anna H. Torance, missionary, who organized the Sunday school last New Year's day, was to have officiated at the ceremony,' but on account of illness was prevented from taking part. Miss Torance has been a leading mover in the new church and has conducted Sunday school services in a small building near the church site. The church as planned will cost about $10,000. At present a chapel will be erected which is expected to be completed In October. A pastor will soon be secured. (See "Corner Stone of New South Side Church: Harvard Heights United Presbyterians Hold Interesting Ceremony Yesterday," Los Angeles Herald, vol. 32, no. 303, 07/31/1905, p. 12,

Building Notes

In 1905, the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church granted $900 to the Harvard Heights congregation. (See Minutes of the Forty-Sixth General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, Greenville, PA, May 25th to June 1st, 1904, vol. XL, no. 1, [Pittsburgh: United Presbyterian Board of Trustees, 1904], p. 339.) This may have been used to pay its first minister or to build the church itself.

The Harvard Heights United Presbyterian Church became incorporated in the State of CA on 03/30/1908. (See Appendix to the Journals of the Senate and Assembly of the Thirty-Eighth Session of the Legislature of the State of California, vol. 1, [Sacramento: State Printing Office, 1909], p. 70.)

The Los Angeles Public Library, said the following about the Harvard Heights neighborhood: "Largely developed between 1905 and 1910, the Harvard Heights neighborhood of Transitional Arts and Crafts homes was designated a City of Los Angeles Historic Preservation Overlay Zone in 2000." (See "Neighborhood Profile: Harvard Heights," Los Angeles Public Library, California Index, "Harvard Heights," accessed 10/06/2015.)

PCAD id: 19788