Historic Crouch Memorial Church of God in Christ Burns for Third Time in South Los Angeles
The historic Crouch Memorial Church of God in Christ in South Los Angeles was destroyed by fire on October 12, the third time the building has burned since 2013. Arson investigators are examining the blaze at the vacant structure.
The historic Crouch Memorial Church of God in Christ in South Los Angeles burned to the ground on October 12, 2026, the third time the building has been destroyed by fire since 2013.
The blaze broke out in the early morning hours and consumed the vacant structure before firefighters could contain it. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded with multiple units, but the building was a total loss. Arson investigators are examining the cause.
The church, which dates to the mid-20th century, was a landmark in the South Los Angeles community and a significant site in the history of the Church of God in Christ denomination. It had been vacant for several years following previous fires in 2013 and 2024.
Community members and church leaders expressed grief over the loss. The building had been the subject of preservation discussions, with some advocates pushing for its restoration as a cultural and religious heritage site.
The Church of God in Christ, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, is the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States and has deep roots in the African American community. Crouch Memorial was named after a prominent figure in the denomination's early history in California.
No injuries were reported in the fire. The Los Angeles Police Department's arson section is working alongside fire investigators to determine whether the blaze was intentionally set, as was suspected in the 2024 fire.
