Just blocks from the twisted skeletons and...

Just blocks from the twisted skeletons and ashen heaps of burned-out stores left by the Los Angeles riots, a new home is about to be built.

The house, with an area of about 1,000 square feet, will have two bedrooms, one bathroom, a carport, porch and patio--a modest version of the American dream that will fit nicely into its neighborhood on Bliss Street in Willowbrook, an unincorporated community between Watts and Compton.

What distinguishes the house from its neighbors is that it was conceived and financed by volunteers, who also will help dig the foundations and put it up. It is the first of hundreds of low-cost residences that the Los Angeles affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, an ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to eliminating poverty housing, plans to build over the next decade in South Los Angeles, the Pico-Union area, Venice and East Los Angeles.

Planned since July, the groundbreaking a week from today will be attended by neighbors, dignitaries and Habitat volunteers. Habitat became well known several years ago when its two most famous grass-roots laborers, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, worked on a Habitat construction site.

Habitat obtained the site in Willowbrook from Los Angeles County’s Community Development Commission and agreed to build a low-cost residence compatible with other houses in the area. The organization got Watt Homes to donate its services as general contractors, raised money from corporations and called up its squad of church volunteers.

Later this summer, Habitat Los Angeles President Steve Blinn and his family, alongside Willowbrook residents and volunteers from four of Habitat’s “covenant” churches--Bel-Air Presbyterian, First Congregational, Emanuel Presbyterian and Westwood Presbyterian--will dig trenches, hammer nails and install drywall and roofing.

Mayor Tom Bradley and Supervisor Kenneth Hahn will turn the first shovelful of dirt. Michel Tourniaire, representing Hotel Inter-Continental Los Angeles at downtown’s California Plaza, will hand over a check for $7,500 to Blinn, making the hotel the first corporate sponsor of the project.

Blinn said the house will have a market value of more than $100,000, but will be sold for about $55,000 to one of 35 families that have applied to buy it.

“The whole philosophy of Habitat is to get people out of substandard housing into decent housing. People have a right to that,” he said. “Out of decent housing comes an environment for families to flourish in and realize their dreams.”

Blinn, a Torrance advertising executive, said his goal is to have the Los Angeles affiliate--one of six in the county--building 100 structures a year, including multiple-unit dwellings, by 1995.

Groundbreaking ceremonies at 2325 Bliss St., Los Angeles, will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 13. For information about Habitat, phone (213) 386-9930.

CELEBRATIONS

Brentwood Presbyterian Church will dedicate its new, expanded sanctuary, remodeled kitchen and meeting room Sunday.

A $2.8-million capital campaign also financed a transitional housing facility for homeless women with children in Venice and a 40-bed pediatric hospital wing in Embangweni, Africa.

Last month the church began using its kitchen to prepare 200 hot meals once a month for a program it operates with the Santa Monica Homeless Task Force.

Light refreshments will follow the dedication. Child care is available. The church is at 12000 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood. (310) 826-5656.

WORSHIP

The United Methodist Church of Garden Grove celebrates the Pentecost on Sunday with a prayer vigil starting at dawn, followed by praise singing at 9:45 and a special worship service at 10. The Rev. Charles Dennis, senior pastor, will preach. The church is at 12741 Main St., Garden Grove. (714) 534-1070.

The Movable Minyan--an egalitarian Jewish prayer community led by lay workers for singles and families--and the Bureau of Jewish Education will celebrate the festival of Shavuot at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Westside Jewish Community Center. They will present “Sinai Seekers,” an interactive group game for all ages, in which they will re-enact the handing down of the 10 Commandments from Mt. Sinai. A potluck dairy dinner and singing follow.

Admission is $5 for adults; free for children. The Westside Jewish Community Center is at 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. For reservations call (310) 285-3317.

SPEAKERS

Yehuda Bauer, a professor at Hebrew University, Jerusalem, will speak about “The Anti-Semitism of Eastern Europe--the 1992 Version” on June 13 at 11 a.m. at Valley Beth Shalom. Bauer is a Holocaust scholar and director of the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Anti-Semitism. The address is 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 343-0933.

The Philosophical Research Society offers frequent lectures. On Monday at 7:30 p.m., Bruce Fisher, scientist and mystic, will talk on “Gurdjieff’s Teachings: A System of Personal Development.” Admission is $5. On Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., John Nimerfro, Eastern religion specialist, will speak on “Using Daily Events for Inner Growth and Happiness: Ending Stress and Tension.” Admission is $5.

The society is at 3910 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles. For information, call (213) 663-2167.

PERFORMANCES

The Lake Avenue Congregational Church of Pasadena presents its spring concert Sunday at 6 p.m. A 175-voice choir and full orchestra will perform selections from a variety of musical periods and styles covering the last two centuries. Admission is free; donations accepted. The church is at 393 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena. (818) 795-7221.

Common Ground, the touring choir of Bethel Lutheran Church in Cupertino, will perform “Time Out” at Bethel Lutheran Church in Encino on June 15 at 7:30 p.m. The performance is described as an upbeat interpretation of the Gospel message through songs and skits.

Admission is free; donations accepted. The church is at 17500 Burbank Blvd., Encino (818) 788-2653.

CONFERENCES

At the ninth annual Young Adults Conference at the Pasadena Center through Sunday, about 2,000 Catholics between ages 18 and 35 will discuss such issues as abortion, the environment, sexual addiction and the Los Angeles riots.

Originally scheduled for the first weekend in May, the gathering was postponed because of the riots. Two of the city’s leading experts on gangs--Father Gregory Boyle and Brother Modesto Leon--will address the conference, which features 55 workshops and is sponsored by the archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Admission for the entire conference, which began Friday, was $42 at the door. Tickets for single-day admission are $30 today and $25 Sunday. For information call (213) 251 3356.

Please address notices to: Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles, Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA, 90053. To receive consideration, an item must be brief and arrive at least three weeks before the event.