Lynwood : Council Denies Permit for Church in Renewal Area

Citing potential parking problems and traffic congestion, the City Council has voted not to allow a Huntington Park congregation to lease a building in the Lynwood redevelopment area.

More than 100 members of the church, Iglesia de Cristo, squeezed into the Lynwood council chamber where the maximum capacity is 70 to try to persuade council members to approve their request.

Marcel Rivas, a spokesman for the church of 1,200 members, pleaded with council members to allow them to lease an empty bowling alley at 3840 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. for two years. Rivas estimated the congregation would grow to 5,000 members, and said the church would offer marriage and drug counseling to Lynwood residents. The church also planned to open a Christian bookstore and restaurant on the property.

Although the church has a tentative agreement with property owner Shlomo Botach, the council voted 4 to 1 against allowing the property to be used by the church. Councilman Armando Rea cast the lone vote in favor.

Lynwood has 28 churches in its five square miles, Mayor Robert Henning said. He suggested the church search for another location that could accommodate the large number of worshipers.

Councilman Paul Richards applauded the church’s concern for residents of Lynwood and invited Rivas to plan a spiritual revival to be held in the city.