Sdljl La Jolla Presbyterian Church 2014nov06

743 Prospect Street
Louis J. Gill, 1929 / Restoration, 2014

Like other important structures in La Jolla, this church has a strong connection to the Browning Scripps family. Eliza Virginia Scripps was instrumental in the founding of a church on this site in 1909. In 1928, Ellen Browning Scripps laid the cornerstone of the bell tower in memory of her beloved half-sister, Eliza Virginia. She selected the nephew of established architect Irving Gill to design the structure. He drew his inspiration for the iconic tower from the Campo Florida church in Mexico City. Today, the richly decorated Chimes Tower houses a working set of tubular bells and a newly renovated art gallery. The interior features a rugged wood beam ceiling