Like many parts of San Diego, La Jolla Boulevard is scattered with historical buildings — icons from the past that have been adapted for modern day use.
One of which is the La Jolla United Methodist Church Fireside Library. Located at 6063 La Jolla Blvd., the library recently underwent a renovation, which was intended to preserve, but add to, its historical feel.
Today, the Fireside Library is a community hub, something that does not stray far from its original intended purpose back in the day.
Early Days
In the 1920s, a railway connected San Diego and Pacific Beach to La Jolla by way of a route through what would become Bird Rock and La Jolla Hermosa. At the time, these familiar neighborhoods were still taking shape, and the San Carlos station (located at what is now the La Jolla United Methodist Church) became part of their development.
A hub with passengers coming and going, the station flourished for years until the use of personal vehicles became more popular than public transit.
“The trolley that used to run through town about a 100 years ago came through the space where we have the church now,” said La Jolla United Methodist Church Nursery School Executive Director Erin Wyer. “There was a bar and a waiting station and a tower room, which they have all integrated into this library and church space.”
She added that “the space was designed to serve as a gathering space to wait for the trolley. When the Great Depression came, it kind of went under.”
Following its stint as a trolley station, the space became home to La Plaza Restaurant and the El Toro Bar, which were considered popular gathering places following World War II.
One area of the La Jolla United Methodist Church was once El Toro Bar, before being adapted for church use in 1959. (Provided by Erin Wyer)
Church Uses
After some time as the El Toro Bar, in 1959, the La Jolla United Methodist Church acquired the space and began remodeling it, adapting it to host church services and a Nursery School.
In 1985, the church added the Fireside Library, creating a publicly accessible lending library for children and adults in the community.
And while commuters no longer came and went from that space, the intent during the acquisition and renovation into a library was to preserve the atmosphere of community gathering.
“It really does still serve as a center for the church, the nursery school and Bird Rock,” Wyer said. “People come by and walk their dogs, there are beautiful trees and it is a really nice space to come sit or explore while on a walk or out. People come at a little slower pace, they can read a book and share it with another generation, there are students and there is even a senior living space nearby whose residents come (here). It really is for all generations.”
Recent Renovations
Now, as the church and library are looking to keep with modern times, renovations and contributions from fellow La Jolla businesses are keeping the space usable and open to all generations.
La Jolla Methodist Church was founded in 1953 by a few members who first met at Casa de Manana. (Milan Kovacevic)
Work was recently completed to “spruce up” the space, while retaining its historic elements.
“The owner of Nautilus Construction, whose daughter went to the school, always said that his daughter loved reading because of the time she spent in the (church) library,” Wyer said. “He came in and offered to do a spruce up of the space, and we were blown away by what he did. His time and his team were all so happy to be part of the project.”
Quickly, other local businesses and families contributed to the renovation effort.
The result, Wyer said, is “so charming” and “an incredible space that we were really able to keep historically intact.”
Keeping the space functioning as a social hub was an important step when renovating, a goal Wyer feels was well accomplished.
“We can look back at history and think ‘wow it would be really neat to have a trolley’ and it lets us learn so much from history. Back in the day, they really wanted Bird Rock to become a place that people could access and come see. This space is a center for the beach community,” said Wyer.
To officially commemorate the space, La Jolla United Methodist Church and La Jolla United Methodist Church Nursery School will host a grand opening party 12-2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at 6063 La Jolla Blvd. The church invites neighbors, alumni and general community to stop by and experience the newly renovated Fireside Library.
Learn more: lajollaunitedmethodist.org/about/history/fireside-library