Triangular Center for Spiritual Living was established by Rev. Pearl C. Wood on January 1, 1932 in her home at 1032 East 50th Street, Los Angeles under the name the Triangular Church of Truth. The triangle represented God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, or Spirit, Soul, and Body. With Rev. Pearl Wood inspiring the original ten members, the congregation grew steadily and moved into larger quarters three years later in 1935 at 4909 S. Central Avenue. Unfortunately, this space was not always available, causing the church to temporarily relocate to another space on Compton Avenue. Upon learning of the permanent availability of the space at 4909 S. Central Avenue, the congregation returned, after a short wait in a small place that had once been used as a shoe shine parlor.
In 1936 property was acquired at 958 E. 52nd Street, at the corner of 52nd St. and Wadsworth. Under the inspirational guidance of Rev. Wood and the skillful hands of Mr. Joseph Wood (her husband) who promised to build a church at no cost to the congregation. A small but beautiful church was erected. By 1940 larger facilities were needed so the church was remodeled. More ground was purchased in 1943 and in 1947 the dining hall, kitchen, church office, trustee room, and pastoral offices were completed and furnished at the south end of the original structure. Within the course of a few years, the church grew to 1,500 members.
In May of 1956, the church became affiliated with the Religious Science movement headed by Dr. Ernest S. Holmes, providing a broader base for helping others to have and enjoy a better life through the Science of Mind and Spirit teaching. In January 1957, Triangular’s charter was presented to Rev. Pearl C. Wood by Ernest Holmes at the 25th Anniversary Banquet in Beverly Hills.
Prior to the Youth Church’s construction, the church had purchased the property at 444 E. 51’t St. (Near Avalon), to house the already overcrowded Sunday School. Named “The Home,” this house with apartments in the back, also doubled as housing for any members that were physically challenged and in need of living accommodations. Additional property was acquired and on a site to the south of the existing church, a Youth Church was constructed at a cost of $17,000.00 and appropriately dedicated in 1957 in ceremonies with Dr. Holmes officiating. At the same time, a new parking lot was constructed to the south of the Youth Church, to extend the Wadsworth side of the church property an entire block to 53rd Street.
Rev. Pearl Wood’s dream of a new church built from the ground up was coming into fruition. When construction reached a financial snag, one of our Board of Trustee members and practitioners, (John B. Bedford), came forward with a generous donation of $25,000.00 to complete construction.
Triangular Church of Religious Science relocated in January 1963 following the erection and dedication of its new facilities at its current location on Western Avenue in Los Angeles, California.
During her forty years of service in the ministry, Rev. Pearl C. Wood guided thousands to seek and to realize God. With a full schedule of pastoral duties, she always found time to wisely counsel those who turned to her for help, even though they were not members of our church. After Rev. Pearl C. Wood’s retirement in 1972, she was succeeded by Dr. Philip G. Pitts, who had previously occupied the post of Church Secretary and was replaced by Sharon Simmons-Sloan.