Loss to fire and demolition of 1910 Manse and 1910 Wintersburg Japanese Mission

 ABOVE: What remains of the 1910 Wintersburg Japanese Mission and the 1910 Manse (parsonage). The Manse was on fire, however the Mission building was not. Both structures were demolished by Republic Services on Friday, February 25. Over the weekend, historians and preservationists confirmed the loss of the two structures, both designated as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in the City of Huntington Beach General Plan. (Photo, M. Urashima)

   Over the weekend after the fire last Friday, we have confirmed the loss of two structures, not only the 1910 Manse of the Wintersburg Japanese Mission.  The 1910 Mission was the first structure of the Japanese Mission Project founded in 1904 and was demolished. 

   We are informed by the City of Huntington Beach that as of today, an investigation continues.

ABOVE: The 1910 Manse (parsonage) at left and the 1910 Wintersburg Japanese Mission after their construction in 1910. One of the Japanese Mission Project founders Reverend Barnabus Hisayoshi Terasawa, who with Charles Mitsuji Furuta purchased the property in 1908, is in front of the Mission with Reverend Junzo Nakamura and Ernest Adolphus Sturge. Sturge helped establish fourteen Japanese Presbyterian missions on the Pacific Coast. A small dirt road can be seen in front of the Mission building, parallel to what was Wintersburg Road and now Warner Avenue. (Photo courtesy of Wintersburg Church) © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

   The wooden 1910 Mission and 1910 Manse were located behind the 1934 Wintersburg Japanese Church building, visible to the public from the intersection of Warner Avenue and Nichols Lane. Statements that only one "minor" structure was lost or that the "church" was not lost are not correct and probably confusing for the public.

LEFT: The 1910 Wintersburg Japanese Mission was moved 95 years ago to the east of the 1910 Manse, which is why the configuration today is different than in 1910. The Mission and Manse were connected by a small walkway so the clergy could have a sheltered path from their home to the Mission. (Santa Ana Register, October 19, 1927)

   All six structures at Historic Wintersburg are designated as eligible for the National Register for Historic Places. Two of the six are now destroyed, as of last Friday. The historical designation is noted in the City of Huntington Beach General Plan's historic and cultural resource element. This designation on a California municipal document automatically places these structures and Historic Wintersburg on the State of California list of historic and cultural resources, which triggers the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

   Historic Wintersburg, its partnering organizations Preserve Orange County and Heritage Museum of Orange County, as well as supporting organizations such as the Japanese American Citizens League, Poston Community Alliance, Heart Mountain Foundation, Little Tokyo Historical Society, Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages, the South East Los Angeles North Orange County (SELANOCO) chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), Minidoka Pilgrimage, 50 Objects/Stories of the American Japanese Incarceration, among other organizations and individuals are communicating their alarm and concern to the City of Huntington Beach and Republic Services.

We ask for: 

1) A thorough investigation for arson and for the ongoing negligence and purposeful demolition-by-neglect by Rainbow Environmental-Republic Services.

 

2) The right of Japanese Americans to enter the property with permission to collect ash, remains of the structures, and artifacts, to honor and save what is left of a sacred site where the 1910 Mission and 1910 Manse stood. This is a significant heritage property and a place of spiritual meaning.

 

3) Assistance by the City of Huntington Beach to facilitate a genuine response and engagement from Republic Services corporate officers in Phoenix, Arizona, to move forward the discussions for the purchase by and transfer of the property to historical organizations for historic preservation. This includes the Historic Wintersburg, Preserve Orange County, and Heritage Museum of Orange County. The Ocean View School District should be included in this as a key neighbor with a preschool, elementary school and land ownership rights for properties next to and adjacent to Historic Wintersburg.

   We will continue to update, as more information regarding the investigation and discussions with City leaders and Rainbow Environmental-Republic Services move forward.

 

 

 

 

 

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