A South Los Angeles church that was given a historic status has become the source of some stress for neighbors nearby since the abandoned structure has become a site for squatters and illegal dumping.
What was once the Crouch Memorial Church of God and Christ is now a skeleton building of the former place of worship after it was involved in two fires, one in 2013 and the second in 2024. Since then, the building has sustained major damage that led to its abandonment.
“Ever since the fire, there has been like a, just a burnt spot on our street,” said Ray Pickens, who owns several properties in the community. “Not only a burnt spot on our street, it’s been like a burnt spot in our community.”
The instability of the church’s structure leaves residents anxious about whether it’s safe to remain standing.
“It’s dangerous,” Pickens said. “You could just be walking down the street and something could fall off of it and somebody could get hurt.”
The historic building has years of complaints to the city of Los Angeles going back 12 years. It also has at least two orders and permits to demolish it.
Neighbors say they’ve reached out to Councilmember Curren Price, LA Mayor Karen Bass, and the Department of Building and Safety for resolution. The former church is currently listed as a pending sale with Century 21 realtor Hector Hernandez, who would not comment on the matter.
NBCLA has reached out to Price and Bass for comment.
The building is in the process of being handled by the city attorney’s office, which includes legal proceedings such as use of land for unzoned purposes, failure to comply with a valid order and unlawful altering of the building.