The Oakwood
The Oakwood
“Before there was Dogtown, there was Oakwood, a historical community and a prominent African-American subsection in Venice.”
- Jeremy Divinity
About Oakwood:
The Oakwood Community makes up fifty-some blocks that tuck between Abbot Kinney and Lincoln Blvd. The community is uniquely historic and proudly Venice. The roots of the neighborhood go back to a red-lined Los Angeles, where working class black and brown employees who were largely permitted from home ownership anywhere on the west side, formed a community in the Oakwood. Decades later, overcoming gentrification and forced displacement, the families that have called Oakwood home for generations have sunk deep and fierce roots.
The Church Restoration
Established in 1910, the First Baptist Church of Venice was one of the first two churches in Oakwood’s Venice that served the African American community. In 1968, the church was relocated to its present location at the corner of 7th and Broadway. Over time the church fell into disrepair and sat vacant for a number of years, though the connection with the community remained.
“The church exemplified the pioneering nature of an early community who created an important center of spiritual, cultural, and social life in Venice.”
When the plot was purchased by land developers, a coalition of loyalists saved the church, protesting ad-nauseam until their message was received.
In September 2021 the City Council approved the vote to make the property a historic cultural monument. The property, which consists of multiple lots along with the original church structure, was purchased by the Community Corporation of Santa Monica (CCSM) - a non-profit dedicated to building affordable housing for people of modest means.
WHAT’s Next?
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CCSM looks to preserve and restore the history of the space while providing new affordable housing to Venice. The restored First Baptist Church seeks to connect community in meaningful ways. The restored church will have multipurpose space for a variety of community, spiritual, and cultural groups to spend time together, as well as classrooms for educational opportunities.
Those interested in being involved should read CCSM materials, stay tuned for events and volunteer opportunities at the Church Lot, and consider donating to the project.