The Claremont United Methodist Church is described by the Los Angeles Conservancy as “a somewhat unusual example of church design by architects Richard Neutra and Robert Alexander.” Designed and constructed between 1957 and 1959, the building boasts trademark Neutra touches such as asymmetrical walls and windows, and visible exterior structural supports in the “spider leg” style.

The church is set back approximately 150 yards from Foothill Blvd, separated by a wild garden of native California plants, with trees and shrubs around the building.
Rather than traditional stained glass window treatments, the building’s north-facing facade features a glass curtain-wall featuring a view of Mt. San Antonio, often spectacularly covered in snow during January/February. West-facing windows are at floor level, and East-facing clerestory windows direct morning sunlight in dynamic angles across the space.
In addition to the building itself, furnishings and accents within the Sanctuary space were specified by Neutra and his son Dion, including pews, communion table, railings, pulpit, and wall paneling of dark oak, and a contrasting simple aluminum cross. Primary lighting for the space is provided by translucent pendant spheres along the left side and reverse illuminated oak trim on the right-hand, angled wall, which pitches away from the floor towards the 30’ ceiling above.

A team of dedicated church members has worked over the decades to retain as much of Neutra’s original design as possible, making the location a good option for conveying a mid-century aesthetic.

***This location is within the Secondary Studio Zone.***