- Fire burns historic 1935 Palm Springs Community Church

An early morning fire Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 4:30am all but gutted one of the city's oldest structures, the Palm Springs Community Church on the corner of Baristo and South Cahuilla.

Built in 1935 and designed by Architect-Artist William Charles Tanner in Gothic Revival style that was common in the 1920's and 30's, this building is the only surviving example of this kind in Palm Springs. Designated a Class 1 historic site by the city of Palm Springs in 1989.

Tanner a Canadian who started as an illustrator for children's books emigrated to California. Some of his most known work in Palm Springs is the design of The Ingleside Inn 1922 (Carrie Birgie Residence), reconstruction of the Desert Inn 1922-27 (now demolished), Le Vallauris Restaurant 1924 (George Roberson House), and the O'Donnell House 1925 (Eye of the Desert). All of these are in

Fun Fact: President Eisenhower and Mamie worshiped here in 1954.