“Forgotten History” Is The Subject Of Santa Monica Conservancy Lecture:

The Santa Monica Conservancy will host an illustrated talk entitled “Revelations of Phillips Chapel C.M.E. Church —Forgotten History in Santa Monica” as part of the centennial celebration of Phillips Chapel, on Sunday, February 26, at 2 p.m. at the chapel. The featured speaker will be Alison Jefferson, a Master’s degree candidate in historic preservation at USC.The history of the chapel is rooted in the story of African-Americans in Santa Monica and their many historic contributions to the city’s life and culture. Jefferson did extensive research on the church and the African-American community in Santa Monica as part of her studies in historic preservation. She and Reverend James C. Raymond, Jr., Pastor of Phillips Chapel, initiated the process of securing historic landmark designation for the Chapel. The Landmarks Commission made the designation last year. The building housing the church was originally a schoolhouse that the church acquired and moved to its present site in 1908. One of the Chapel’s notable features is its 11 stained glass windows commemorating some of the prominent families who attended the church.The chapel is located at 2001 Fourth Street, at the corner of Bay. Admission to Church and Santa Monica Conservancy members is $10; non-members, $15. Tickets will be sold at the door. Parking is available on the street and in nearby lots on Main Street. For more information: (310) 485-0399 or visit www.smconservancy.org.