Second Church of Christ Scientist
Also known as: Second Samoan Congregational Church
Why it's listed
Standing at the southwest corner of Seventh Street and Cedar Avenue in Long Beach, this large concrete and steel church was built in 1924 and opened in January 1925 for the Second Church of Christ Scientist. It cost $200,000 and seated 1,200. Four colossal Corinthian columns mark the east entrance, pedimented gables cross at the roof, and a shallow dome rises at the center. Inside, a coffered ceiling, Corinthian pilasters and colored glass windows survive. The Christian Science congregation sold it in 1978; later it served a cultural center and, since 1994, a Samoan congregation. It was listed for its architecture, as a well-preserved work of Neoclassical Revival design drawing on Roman and Greek precedents. The design is credited to Shields, Fisher & Lake, a firm also linked to the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and The Willmore. The only exterior alteration is a steel access ramp at the rear.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an outstanding, intact example of Neoclassical Revival (Beaux-Arts) architecture with high artistic values, qualifying under Criterion C at the local level. It reflects the popularity of 1920s period revival styles and the growth of religious organizations in early Long Beach. It is also cited as the prototype image of Beaux Arts Classicism in a Los Angeles architectural guide.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05000212, listed April 1, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 655 Cedar Ave., Long Beach |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | April 1, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000212 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1924 |
| Architect / builder | Shields, Fisher & Lake |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a church by the Second Samoan Congregational Church; described as in good condition with its original integrity, with only a rear wheelchair ramp and some fluorescent lighting added. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 33.74875, -118.19390 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05000212.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7443196
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.