Residents of South Los Angeles are sounding the alarm over the deteriorating Crouch Memorial Church of God and Christ, a historic building that has sat vacant since two fires in 2013 and 2024. The once‑active place of worship now stands as a skeletal shell, attracting squatters and illegal dumping, and raising safety concerns for the surrounding community.
Community concerns grow
“Ever since the fire, there has been like a burnt spot on our street,” said Ray Pickens, a local property owner. “Not only a burnt spot on our street, it’s been like a burnt spot in our community.” Pickens added that the structure is dangerous, warning that “you could just be walking down the street and something could fall off of it and somebody could get hurt.”
Neighbors report that the building has become a magnet for illegal dumping and unauthorized occupants, creating both aesthetic blight and a public‑safety threat. The site’s instability has prompted calls for immediate demolition, a request that has been echoed by multiple residents over the past twelve years.
City response and legal hurdles
The City of Los Angeles has a long record of complaints regarding the property, dating back more than a decade. According to city records, the church has received at least two demolition orders and permits, yet the structure remains standing. The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, along with the city attorney’s office, is currently reviewing the case for potential violations, including use of land for unzoned purposes, failure to comply with a valid demolition order, and unlawful alterations to the building.
Community members have reached out to Councilmember Curren Price, Mayor Karen Bass, and the Department of Building and Safety seeking a swift resolution. While the property is listed as a pending sale with Century 21 realtor Hector Hernandez, the realtor declined to comment on the timeline for any potential transaction.
Historical significance versus public safety
The church’s historic designation adds a layer of complexity to the demolition debate. Preservation advocates argue that the building’s architectural heritage merits protection, while local residents prioritize safety and neighborhood quality of life. Balancing these interests will require coordination among the city’s historic preservation office, the building department, and the property’s owners.
City officials have not yet issued a definitive statement on when demolition might proceed, but they acknowledge the urgency expressed by the community. “We are actively reviewing the permits and orders related to this property,” a spokesperson for the Department of Building and Safety said. “Our goal is to ensure public safety while respecting the historic status of the site.”
What’s next for the neighborhood?
As the legal process unfolds, residents remain hopeful that the city will move quickly to remove the hazardous structure. In the meantime, they continue to monitor the site for any further incidents of dumping or unsafe activity.
For those living near the former church, the situation underscores a broader challenge facing many South Los Angeles neighborhoods: aging, vacant properties that become eyesores and safety risks. Community leaders are urging the city to adopt a more proactive approach to addressing abandoned buildings before they deteriorate to the point of endangering residents.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
