First Church of Christ, Scientist, Christian Science church building in Pico-Union, Los Angeles, United States

The First Church of Christ, Scientist stands at 1366 South Alvarado Street in Pico-Union, Los Angeles, a contributing property of the Alvarado Terrace Historic District. Architect Elmer Grey designed the 1912 edifice in a mix of Beaux Arts, Italianate and Spanish Romanesque Revival styles.

Designed by Los Angeles architect Elmer Grey in a mix of Beaux Arts, Italianate and Spanish Romanesque Revival styles, the church was built in 1912 at 1366 South Alvarado Street. It is a contributing property of the Alvarado Terrace Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 17, 1984, and is also a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. The congregation sold the building in 1972, and it is no longer listed in the Christian Science Journal.

The building was sold in 1972 and served for a time as a synagogue. It then became the Los Angeles branch of the Peoples Temple, the Disciples of Christ congregation led by the Reverend Jim Jones. Since 2007 it has housed Iglesia Adventista Central, a Spanish-speaking Seventh-day Adventist church.

The building is situated in an established historic neighborhood with straightforward access from main streets in the area. Visitors should know this remains an active place of worship and checking current service times beforehand is recommended.

Despite its changing religious uses over the decades, the building has retained its original architectural character and decorative features. This ongoing evolution shows how structures serve different communities while maintaining their physical integrity and design.