Ventura County Landmark No. 60: Church of Christ Scientist (aka Lutheran and Community Churches)
Historical Background
The First Church of Christ Scientist in Fillmore was built in 1929 and designed by architect H. Roy Kelley, a well‑known Southern California designer. His professional archives include records and clippings documenting this church as one of his early projects (Online Archive of California, n.d.). This building was also featured in a 1930 issue of Architectural Digest, showing it was considered a noteworthy example of his work at the time (Architectural Digest, 1930). According to the Fillmore Historical Museum, it was praised for its beauty and simplicity (Fillmore Historical Museum, n.d).
Architectural Style
The church reflects English Tudor‑inspired design, a style Kelley explored in his other work during the same period (Online Archive of California, n.d.).
The building features a stucco exterior, a winding flagstone and brick path, a recessed entry with narrow windows, a circular gable window, and steep intersecting roof gables. A large chimney with chimney pots anchors one wing of the structure, and the roof is finished with rustic shakes.
Current Use
The building was later purchased by Rev. Ernest Miller and became the Fillmore Community Church. It continued as the Fillmore Community Church until Rev. Miller’s death in 1982 and has since been used by Wayfarers Chapel Lutheran Church (Fillmore Historical Museum, n.d.).
References
Architectural Digest. (1930). First Church of Christ Scientists, Fillmore — H. Roy Kelley, Architect. Architectural Digest, 7(4). https://archive.architecturaldigest.com/article/1930/1/first-church-of-christ-scientists-fillmore—h-roy-kelley-architect-2
Fillmore Historical Museum. (n.d.) Fillmore Churches. https://www.fillmorehistoricalmuseum.org/fillmore-churches
Online Archive of California. (n.d.). H. Roy Kelley papers, circa 1912–circa 1957: First Church of Christ Scientist (Fillmore, Calif.) (1930). https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c89z93xq/
Date Designated: July 1980
Location: 461 Third Street, Fillmore
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