The First Presbyterian Church of Encino received the 20-Year Award – Commercial from AIA San Fernando Valley, recognizing the lasting impact of the mission-driven renovation. Completed in 2002, the renovation of First Presbyterian Church of Encino transformed a mid-century A-frame sanctuary into a space defined by intimacy, warmth, and light.
Two decades later, the sanctuary continues to thrive. Attendance grew following the renovation, and the space welcomes both congregants and the broader community through services, celebrations, performances, and preschool gatherings. The design remains a quiet invitation—timeless, uplifting, and grounded in a sense of belonging.
Sculptural wall planes, suggestive of hands in prayer or the sheltering wings of a dove, shape the room, while light serves as the primary material guiding worshippers from entry to pew to chancel.
