The First Fifty-Five Years

The History of the Encino Community Church

Dr. Fletcher Harding and his wife, Patricia Harding, worked within the structure of the Holmes Institute for years, and in 1953 they decided to create a ministry of their own. Patricia had been a concert pianist and Fletcher was a licensed psychologist, and both were well educated in metaphysics. They were a perfect combination of heart/mind committed to a common goal.

Dr. Harding brought with him a rich past. During his military service, Fletcher befriended Harry Hopkins, one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s closest advisors, and became personally acquainted with Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. He had served as minister at churches in St. Louis, Missouri, and in California he founded two Religious Science churches in San Bernardino and Redlands. From 1949 to 1953, he was the Dean of Religious Science in Los Angeles. Patricia’s musical training and experience would serve their new church well in her capacity as Musical Director.

Together, the Hardings canvassed northern and southern California and finally chose the Encino/Sherman Oaks community because of the strong local interest in metaphysics. The Hardings rented space in a small theater in Sherman Oaks and started teaching classes. At the time, the theater happened to be showing a very popular play, “The Drunkards,” and a sign advertising the play greeted the Sunday attendees. Both Fletcher and Patricia found this amusing.

In March of 1953, they secured a meeting place for their Sunday services at the Encino Theater. Thanks to the gracious owner, their rent for the next eleven years was never increased. They named their church The Institute of Life Church, and a non-profit status was established. One day after a few years of less-than-hoped-for growth, Fletcher decided to close the church on the following Sunday. However, like an answer to a prayer, on Friday of that week, a woman called to say how much she liked the classes and services that the church offered and she wanted to help in any way she could. She went to work organizing the mailing list, and so introduced the Hardings to people in the surrounding communities, and getting the good news out about their church. Thanks to the endeavors of this anonymous volunteer, the small church began to expand.

In February of 1955, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas services were held at the newly opened Encino Community Center on Balboa Boulevard, with Sunday service remaining at the Encino Theater. A new name was chosen for the evolving ministry that the Hardings felt better suited their intention, so in November of 1955, the Institute of Life Church became the Church of Modern Christianity.

In November of 1957, the church purchased three acres on Balboa Boulevard from the Bette Davis Country Estate for approximately $65,000. The horse stables were converted into classrooms and Sunday school space, and the existing house was used for the office. Excitement ran high as they proceeded to have designs drawn up for their forthcoming Sanctuary.

After receiving a change in zoning from the City of Tarzana, plans were established for a multi-purpose space that became Sable Hall, awaiting the construction of the Sanctuary. On Palm Sunday, 1965, the first Sunday service was held in the magnificent Sanctuary that held 450 people. The offices and classroom space were added over the next few years.

On a warm evening, August 9th, 1971, Fletcher and Patricia were sitting on their porch in Tarzana and saw a fire off in the distance. Fletcher said, “I think it’s our church!” By the time they arrived at the church, the Sanctuary was in flames. The organ as well as most of the structure burned; however, to Patricia’s surprise firemen had salvaged some of her music. In times like these, the smallest blessing is deeply appreciated. The cause of the fire was arson, and six other churches were also torched within a short period of time in the surrounding area.

True to Dr. Harding’s strong vision, he simply declared they would build again. And so they did. Congregants pitched in and helped. In October of 1972, the Sanctuary was rebuilt, once again reflecting the dream originally begun in 1953.

Over the years the church grew in both numbers and services. Thanks to Patricia’s vision, a very successful drama/theater group was created, which performed great plays and musicals.  Local professional talent who were often invited to participate lent credibility to the performances and drew audiences from the surrounding communities.

In 1977, feeling they were entering another season of their life, Fletcher and Patricia retired as active leaders of ECC. Their vision to create a legacy of sacred space for sacred intention had been fulfilled.

Upon Dr. Harding’s retirement, Dr. Cliff King was hired as minister. Dr. King brought with him a multi-dimensional background of Spirit. He served ECC for twelve years and retired in 1990. His successor, former military chaplain Mr. Edward Keebler, served as minister for approximately six months. Upon his dismissal, he brought a lawsuit against ECC (which would not receive court attention until June 1998). For the next eleven months, thanks to several longtime members of ECC, the church held together despite the lack of a minister for leadership.

In July 1991, Dr. Margie Ann (Nicola) Taylor-Black was hired as the full-time minister. Dr. Margie Ann had served for the previous nine years as co-minister of Unity-By-The-Sea in Santa Monica, California, and was well known to some of the ECC family through her appearances on the popular television show, There Is A Way.

The lawsuit filed by Mr. Keebler in 1991 was finally heard in court in June 1998, and he was awarded a judgment. Because of the monies owed to both Mr. Keebler and the attorney who represented ECC for all those years, the church property on Lindley had to be sold. This was a time of great grief and despair, but just as we have been promised, in the midst of despair, there is always light. The church family gathered itself and looked at its options.

In July 1998, a new location had to be found to hold services and conduct church business. Although the Board of Directors initially preferred to purchase another church building, it became apparent just how rare such properties are on the market, and they agreed that serious consideration should be given to renting space.

With only two weeks left to find a new location, Dr. Margie Ann happened to cross paths with Dr. Don Dallman of the Bethel Lutheran Church while on a field trip with the Los Angeles Police Clergy. Because of this fortuitous meeting, ECC rented the Fellowship Hall of Bethel Lutheran Church in Encino, and leased office space just down the street on the corner of Burbank and Balboa Boulevards.

ECC held Sunday services in the Fellowship Hall at Bethel Lutheran Church until late November 2005, when services were moved temporarily to the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys. In April 2006, a four-year lease was signed that moved both the Sunday services and office space to our current location at The Garden Chapel on Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Canoga Park.

The Encino Community Church has demonstrated an indomitable spirit from the beginning. The impossible has been overcome and victory has always been its manifestation. The ECC family that stayed together through the relocation and releasing of the truly beautiful buildings and gardens, downsizing, and then becoming a tenant in another’s dream, has bonded in a way that sometimes only adversity can accomplish. We lost a building but gained a family. We have demonstrated that a church is a family; the floors, ceilings, walls, and stained glass windows are mere accoutrements.

Dr. Margie Ann brought with her a dream… a circle of love that seeks to make a difference just as it is. She found a family that was willing and ready to consecrate that dream… individual commitment to collective growth.

Through the eyes of hindsight and a heart of acceptance, we know that we have been led to the promised land… the land of no yesterday and no tomorrow. There is only today—the land of love and deep gratitude for what is.