§ 16.52.500. First United Presbyterian Church.

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2.63 and with the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the City Council designates the following building as an historical landmark in the City: First United Presbyterian Church.

A.

Location, description and reasons for designation. Located at 600 East Fifth Street in the City of Long Beach, First United Presbyterian Church represents the history and development of religious institutions in the City of Long Beach. The Presbyterian denomination established its first foothold in Long Beach on this site, with the founding of its congregation and the construction of its original building here in 1905. The existing building, constructed in 1939, is an outstanding example of Gothic Revival style, a style particularly appropriate for churches, based on European examples of the Gothic style of the middle ages. This style was often used for churches in the first two (2) decades of this century in the U.S.A.

The great Gothic-styled wood beamed ceiling of the church sanctuary represents a unique type of Gothic Revival design within the parameters of that style. Additionally, the U-shaped landscaped courtyard evokes a cloistered configuration reminiscent of European precedents and the notion of "sanctuary" as an oasis within the City.

The First United Presbyterian Church building represents an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood or community due to its unique location or specific distinguishing characteristics, its distinctive Gothic Revival architecture constitutes an important visual landmark on a prime corner of downtown Long Beach.

B.

General guidelines and standards for any changes. The "Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings" prepared by the Secretary of the Interior (Revised, 1983), as amended, are incorporated by reference, and the following additional guidelines and standards as recommended by the Cultural Heritage Commission are adopted:

The building's interior and exterior shall be regulated by the provisions of this Section.

Any alterations, modifications or repair of the building's interior or exterior shall be consistent with its historic character, and no changes of any kind, including repainting, shall be permitted unless a Certificate of Appropriateness has been applied for and approved by the Cultural Heritage Commission.

(Ord. C-6672 § 4, 1989)