Historic South LA Black Church Burns for Third Time

A vacant historic Black church in South Los Angeles burned down in a pre-dawn fire on Monday, marking the third time the wooden structure has caught fire since 2013, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The two-story building at East 27th and Paloma streets was reported ablaze just after 3:30 a.m., with flames tearing through the roof before 180 firefighters managed to knock down the fire after an hour and 36 minutes.

The Destruction at East 27th and Paloma Streets

The structure is a complete loss, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Jennifer Middleton. Heavy equipment crews arrived on the scene early Monday to begin demolition work on the building, which was red-tagged following the blaze. While neighboring structures sustained potential smoke or water damage, firefighters contained the primary fire to the church property, and no injuries were reported.

The former Crouch Memorial Church of God in Christ was built in 1905, according to property records. It stands within the 27th Street Historic District, a neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Decades of Decay Following the 2013 Fire

The site’s history of fires dates back to October 2013, when a massive blaze erupted in the attic. That initial fire injured firefighters, including one who became trapped in burning debris and had to rely on his emergency air canister while calling for help over the radio. Fire officials determined the 2013 fire was accidental, with the church’s pastor, Lawrence Magee, stating he may have unintentionally started it after turning on a gas heater.

Although the 2013 fire left the structure with severe monetary damage, the white-painted building remained standing for more than a decade. Its charred facade accumulated graffiti, drawing complaints from neighbors, illegal garbage dumping, and squatters.

City Safety Orders Preceding the Third Fire

The abandoned Romanesque Revival-style building drew numerous complaints to the city’s Department of Building and Safety following the initial incident.

In September, the Department of Building and Safety ordered the property’s owner to immediately remove all fire-damaged debris, citing hazards that presented an extreme danger to life, limb, health, and safety. Property records list Crouch Memorial Church of God in Christ as the owner of the site. Magee could not be reached for comment following the Monday morning fire.

The Investigation Ahead

An arson investigation into Monday’s pre-dawn fire is currently underway, according to Middleton. Authorities have not yet determined what ignited the blaze at the vacant structure, and demolition crews remain on site to clear away the remaining wooden debris.