AKA: 1st Methodist Church, Downtown, Los Angeles, CA; First Methodist Church, Downtown, Los Angeles, CA

Structure Type: built works - religious structures - churches

Designers: Kysor and Morgan, Architects (firm); Newsom and Newsom, Architects (firm); Ezra Franklin Kysor (architect); Octavius Morgan (architect); Joseph Cather Newsom (architect); Samuel Newsom (architect)

Dates: constructed 1870, demolished 1899

South Broadway and West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

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Fort Street

Building Notes

Fort Street was the early name of what was later called Broadway.

In 05/1878, the Fort Street M.E. Church had the following activites in 05/1878: "Rev. George S. Hickey, Pastor. Preaching at 11 a.m., and 7 p.m. Sabbath school at 7 1/2 p.m. Class meeting Tuesday evening. Prayer meeting Thursday evening." (See "Church Chimes," Los Angeles Herald, vol. 9, no. 146, 05/19/1878, p. 3.)

The church received a new Hutchings organ in 1882.

Alteration

It was closed for remodeling and renovations between 03/1887-06/1887. (See "Fort Street Methodist Church Building, 3rd and Broadway, Is Vacated for Remodeling and Renovations," Los Angeles Tribune, 03/07/1887, p. 3, col. 1.) The Los Angeles architectural firm of Newsom and Newsom handled the design of the 1887 remodeling, working with building contractor John Elman (b. 1850).

Demolition

The Fort Street Methodist Church property was sold in 02/1898 (see "Former Building of Fort Street Methodist Church Sold," Builder and Contractor, 02/02/1898, p. 1, col. 4), and the building razed in 08/1899; the congregation utilized the Illinois Hall while contruction was being completed on the new First Methodist Church at South Hill Street and West 6th Street. (See "Methodist News," California Independent, 08/12/1899, p. 18.)

PCAD id: 1439