Trinity Church Cook Book

Trinity Church published this cook book in 1915, a year after the congregation opened an impressive and costly auditorium at 9th and Grand Avenues in Downtown Los Angeles (pictured on the cover of the cookbook). Known as Trinity Auditorium, the space was used not just for church services but also movie screenings and concerts. In 1919, the Los Angeles Philharmonic debuted there, and later it became a jazz venue, hosting artists like Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and Count Basie. 

 

In 1921, the auditorium was rented out by African American actor and producer Noble Johnson for the two-night premiere of his company’s film By Right of Birth, which featured a cameo by social reformer Booker T. Washington. Johnson recalled of the sold-out evenings;

 

“We had a footman in uniform outside for auto patrons… and a prologue with music by Webb Spike’s band of 30 pieces; and a program of songs and dances. In the audience we had representatives from two Negro newspapers and three white, Sunshine Sammy Morrison and quite a number of noted white and colored actors from Hollywood.” 

 

Ken Bernstein, former director of preservation issues for the Los Angeles Conservancy, told the Los Angeles Times in 2005;

 

“The auditorium and hotel is a significant early landmark of Los Angeles that also played an important role in the cultural development of the city... [it held meetings of] nearly every major labor union from the 1920s through the 1950s." 

 

In later years the building was used by USC, but fell vacant in the 1990s. Today, the auditorium and former hotel is slated to re-open as the luxury Trinity Hotel at some point in the near future.

 

Historic architectural image from the Security Pacific National Bank Collection (part of the LAPL photo collection)

 

CHURCH/CHRISTIAN COOKBOOKS

90th Anniversary Cook Book, 1888-1978

Art of Cooking In Huntington Park, The

Book of Favorite Recipes compiled by The Sanctuary Choir, A

Cabrini Family Cook Book, The

Century Favorites, Deliciously Yours

Cook's Book, 1971, The

Cooking With Faith - II (Favorite Recipes From Our Best Cooks)

Favorite Recipes Compiled by Christian Social Involvement Interest Group

Favorite Recipes Compiled By the J.W.C. Class of the First M.E. Church

Favorite Recipes From Capitol Kitchens

Feeding The Multitudes, Commemorative Cookbook 

Festival Foods 2: A Greek Cookbook 

Gathered Crumbs: A Collection of Choice Tested Recipes

Gospel According To The Cornerstone Cooks, The

Immanual Aid Society Cook Book 

J.O.Y. Cook Book 

Kitchen Arts 

Ladies' Aid Cook Book 

Maggie's Cook Book 

Make Your Holidays Merry Cooking and Crafts 

Neighborhood Cookbook

Our Best By Test

Our Favorite Recipes

Our Favorite Recipes: Community Lutheran Church 

Our Favorite Recipes: Nursery Guild Trinity Lutheran Church

Paramount's Favorite Recipes 

Presbyterian Pantry

Queen Esther Cook Book 

Raved Over Recipes: Featuring the Mexican Cookery of Sister Amelia, o.c.d.t.

Soup, Salad & Scripture

Taste & See (that the Lord is good)

Tasty Delights and Remedies 

Tried and True Cook Book 

Trinity Church Cook Book 

Valley Vittles 

Westchester Directory and Culinary Art

Westwood Guild Cook Book 

What's Cooking In Whittier

 

Soon you will be able to download this entire book! Due to their fragile nature, each book is being digitized by hand. If you have particular interest in a particular cookbook, please reach out via the Contact Page, so it will be given priority.