Jeff Allen Collection, 2004-2007, 2004-2007

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Summary

Title:
Jeff Allen Collection, 2004-2007
Dates:
2004-2007
Creators:
Allen, Jeff.
Abstract:
Extent:
5 boxes (2.5 linear feet)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Jeff Allen Collection, 2004-2007. Los Angeles Public Library

Background

Scope and content:

The Jeff Allen Collection, 2004-2007, consists primarily of current and former Christian churches in the Los Angeles County region such as Pasadena, Hollywood, Long Beach, San Gabriel, Compton, Pico Rivera, Gardena, Montebello, Huntington Park, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cerritos, Downey, Eagle Rock, Boyle Heights, East LA, Little Tokyo, Lincoln Heights, South LA and in Orange Country with cities such as Santa Ana, Los Alamitos and Cypress. Allen also focused on churches along Hooper Avenue in Los Angeles. There is a small portion of photos of a wall mural depicting the history of Mexico in Compton. Almost all of Allen’s photographs document the exterior, interior and location of a church including close-ups of stain glass windows, altars, pews and statues to a full exterior view of the church from across the street. He photographed the church marquees, street signs and cornerstones or plaques placed on the church wall that would document the building’s date of construction or how it was formerly a different religious denomination than the one it is now. After the 1933 Long Beach earthquake many churches were rebuilt and have plaques documenting this. Of the former Christian churches they include current Mini Markets, Buddhist Temples and Jewish Synagogues Nearly every single photograph has the church’s name and address printed or handwritten on the back. Almost the entire collection is devoid of people.

Biographical / historical:

Jeff Allen was born in 1955 and was a field volunteer for the Los Angeles Central Library Photo Collection under Senior Librarian Caroline Kozo Cole. He predominately took photos of current and former Christian churches throughout the Los Angeles area. Allen also took photos of churches in the Orange County area and of flowers, trees and murals. He did not mind going to “rough” neighborhoods as his mother taught him to not be afraid of people who were different due to language or race but rather to gain a new perspective. He was a Cost Accountant for over thirty years and as of 2013 has retired to Colorado with his wife, Lynn. Allen considers Norwalk, California his hometown. He graduated from Norwalk High School and got his accounting degree from Cal State Fullerton.

Acquisition information:
The photographer personally donated this collection of his photographs to the Central Library prior to 2009.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Los Angeles Public Library staff.
Date Prepared:
2004-2007
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:55 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is stored on-site at the Central Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. Offline images made be viewed via appointment only. Approximately 500 images from this collection, primarily from boxes 84 and 85 may be viewed digitally, via the Los Angeles Public Library website at: https://tessa.lapl.org/

Preferred citation:

Jeff Allen Collection, 2004-2007. Los Angeles Public Library

Location of this collection:
Central Library
630 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071, US
Contact:
(213) 228-7355
specialcollections@lapl.org
Website