Church of the Open Door

Built in 1914, the 4000-seat Church of the Open Door was conceived by R. A. Torrey[1] who had come to Los Angeles to start a Bible institute (now known as Biola University) similar to Moody Bible Institute.[2] The church was to be strictly non-denominational, though Evangelical. Its purpose was to reach the lost of Los Angeles, which was reflected in the name based on two passages of Scripture: John 10:9 and Revelation 3:8. Other pastors have included Louis T. Talbot (1932–1948) and J. Vernon McGee (1949–1970).[3] The current Pastor is David Anderson.[4]

In 1915 Torrey announced plans to organize an independent church that would meet in Biola's auditorium called the Church of the Open Door. This decision proved controversial with local Presbyterian and Baptist clergy.[5]

For 70 years the church was located in downtown Los Angeles on Hope Street and 6th St. (536 South Hope St.). It relocated to Glendora, California in 1985.[3]

The original church building was located in downtown Los Angeles and was demolished in the late 1980s. Despite efforts led by the late William Eugene Scott to prevent the building from being sold to developers and to have the building saved as a historic landmark, the building could not be saved.[6] It was so damaged in the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake that it was declared unsafe and the cost of repairs deemed prohibitive.[7] One of the two historic "Jesus Saves" signs from the original building can now be seen atop the Ace Hotel Los Angeles. It was relocated there by the late William Eugene Scott who took it with him when his church (Los Angeles University Cathedral) relocated following the earthquake.[8]

Glendora

When the church moved to Glendora in 1985, it purchased land from Azusa Pacific University. It is still a thriving congregation, with about 500 worshipers every Sunday. David Anderson is the current Senior Pastor, with David Schaller serving as Associate Pastor and David Newkirk serving as Next Generation Pastor. There are two services every Sunday at 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. in the Worship Center, which is located just South of the gym. A variety of Sunday School classes are available, including ones for adults, and ones for children and teenagers. HUB (Home Unity Bible) groups meet weekly in local church families homes. This small group ministry is centered on fellowship and discussion of the pastor's sermon from Sunday.

Pastors
  • Senior Pastor: David Anderson
  • Associate Pastor: David Schaller
  • Next Generation Pastor: David Newkirk
  • Worship Pastor: Steve Sandy
  • Children's Pastor: Jessica Lee

See also

References
  1. "R. A. Torrey Biographies - Christian Biography - Wholesome Words". www.wholesomewords.org. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
  2. Edward, Martin, Roger (1975). The theology of R.A. Torrey (Thesis). Asbury Theological Seminary.
  3. Dart, John (1985-06-24). "Church of the Open Door Closes Them : Downtown Congregation Marks Move to Suburbs After 70 Years". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
  4. Jacobs, Lindy (2015). "The Ed Underwood Interview". oregonchristianwriters.org. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
  5. Staggers, Kermit (1986). Reuben A. Torrey: American Fundamentalist. Claremont Graduate School: Ph.D. diss. pp. 213–214.
  6. Harris, Scott (1988-02-18). "Hard-to-Unload 'Jesus Saves' Church Changes Ownership Twice in One Day". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
  7. Harris, Scott (1987-10-22). "Did Quake Doom 'Jesus Saves' Church? : Claims of Serious Structural Damage Denied by Preservationists". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
  8. "Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles: The Story of an L.A. Icon". Discover Los Angeles. Retrieved 2018-11-17.


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