The first buildings of Hollywood Lutheran church, when completed in 1924, were not very accessible.  The Sanctuary was reachable only by means of a daunting set of steps. For much of the congregation’s life, anyone who was infirm, handicapped or physically challenged was probably considered a "shut-in," as people were all over America.

The church basement was reachable by means of two steep ramps from the street, however. Then in the 1970s, the front of adjoining Office wing was reconfigured with a wide ramp connecting the main floor to the parking lot.

In the 1990s, the upstairs Women’s Restroom was re-built to be ADA-compliant, with wider doorways and space to move a wheelchair.

But the biggest step of all for this historic congregation was to make the decision that truly everybody ought to be welcome.

Steve Jensen worked for the State Dept. of Rehabilitation for many years.

Finally in 2006, thanks to the urging of the late Steve Jensen, our Vice President, and to a bequest from the Estate of Ruth Jensen (no relation), the congregation voted to install an elevator connecting the two floors and a brand-new downstairs handicap-accessible restroom.

Until recently, making such improvements in old buildings was prohibitive because of requirements in the city of Los Angeles that the entire structure be brought up to modern building code standards.  However, the City of Los Angeles has modernized its approach and now encourages accessibility improvements, without costly additional work.

The new Elevator conveniently connects the Narthex (the entry hall of the Sanctuary) to Durkee Hall downstairs. The "ride" takes less than 1 minute. 

Without the Elevator, the series of ramps and sidewalk required a 300-foot walk or wheelchair ride—uninviting in good weather, and forbidding in the rain!  Now opportunities for worship and fellowship are no longer kept apart by the barriers of the building.