It has been a year-long struggle for the Serbian Orthodox Church of Christ the Savior to overcome the lingering effects of a 1996 New Year's Eve arson that all but destroyed their social hall.
A suspected arson fire at the Serbian Orthodox Church at 1424 S. Baldwin Avenue in Arcadia caused $200,000 in damage Tuesday, and sparked concerns among church members that the blaze was an act of political retaliation.
Authorities suspect a deliberately set fire last month at the Serbian Orthodox Church was sparked by an internal conflict in the politically active congregation.
American Lutheran Church, then at 1424 S. Baldwin, which was later home of Serbian Orthodox Church. Building was dedicated Nov. 12, 1939, enlarged in 1945 and sold in 1963 to Serbian Orthodox, when Lutheran congregation's new church was built on Duarte Road.
Serbian Orthodox Church of Christ the Savior at 1424 S. Baldwin Avenue. This congregation bought property from the American Lutheran Church (later became Lutheran Church of the Cross) in 1963. View is taken from west side of Baldwin, facing entrance. Note 9-17-2008: The 1963 date of sale is not certain as the 1964-65 city directory has the Lutheran Church of the Cross still occupying 1424 S. Baldwin Avenue. Lutheran Church of the Cross moved into a new building in June, 1965 according to item #15 in the Arcadia - Churches VF, so the building may have changed hands in 1965 - (Yvonne Ng).
Consecration services were held for the new $270,000 West Entry Development of the Church of the Good Shepherd, United Methodist. Article describes the project.
Arson is suspected in a $150,000 fire that gutted a brand new office building at 411 South First Avenue on September 11. The building housed the law offices of Pike, Wilson and Cosso.
Members of the Arcadia chapter of the Los Angeles Church of Christ gathered at Arcadia Park for a day of picnicking and cleaning up. This congregation is new to Arcadia.
The Arcadia Planning Commission has given Reverend John Maynard of the Wesleyan Holiness Community Chapel Church one year to bring his church property up to city safety standards.
Exterior front of Arcadia Congregational Church at 2607 South Santa Anita Avenue. The former home of Prince Erik of Denmark is on the grounds of this church. Photograph by Terry Miller.
Note: Per Jolene Cadenbach, a fire destroyed Prince Erik Hall in June 2021, tear down started around end of 2021, and was completely torn down in 2022.
Hope International Church of Arcadia, located at 1741 S. Baldwin Avenue, welcomes new pastor Reverend Sam Lee into the community. Installation service on September 29.