Ventura County Landmark No. 67: Former Simi Valley Community Methodist Church (aka Cultural Arts Center)
Historical Background
This neoclassical‑style church, built among the farmland of early Simi Valley, quickly became a focal point of community life in the emerging small town. Many prominent pioneer families are connected to its history. Constructed in 1924 by highly respected architect Arthur G. Lindley—who designed approximately 50 churches between 1912 and 1929—the building originally served a Methodist congregation. The building quickly became a vital hub for worship, community meetings, and local events. For more than four decades, it hosted church services, Scout meetings, Sunday school, and even Mother’s Day performances by the Simi Elementary School girls’ glee club (Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, n.d.).
The Methodist congregation relocated in 1966, and the building subsequently housed several organizations, including a mortuary from 1968 into the early 1980s, followed by a Jewish synagogue. By the late 1980s, the structure sat vacant until the City of Simi Valley purchased it for $820,000 in 1991 (Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, n.d.).
Current Use
After a thoughtful renovation, the City of Simi Valley converted the historic church into the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center in 1995. Opening night featured a sold-out gala starring Rita Moreno (Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, n.d.).
Since then, the center has presented or produced more than 7,000 events, including musicals, concerts, dance recitals, talent shows, plays, and film screenings (Newman, 2022). Simi Valley’s vision for this beautiful historic building has allowed new generations to appreciate both its past and its continued role in the community.
Additional Reading
References
Newman, E. (2022, May 1). Simi’s true community center. Beyond the Acorn. https://www.beyondtheacorn.net/articles/simis-true-community-center/
Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. (n.d). The History of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. https://www.svcac.org/history
Date Designated: July 1981
Location: 3050 Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley
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