The Merritt Mansion - aka Ambassador Hall
What a truly divine moment is dawning for Samuel Kitchen and his fledgling little flock. The heavens themselves have aligned to present him with not one, but two golden opportunities to prove he's the rightful heir to Herbert W. Armstrong's legacy. First, there's the chance to snap up the Ambassador Auditorium—that glittering jewel of a concert hall once hailed as the "Carnegie Hall of the West," now languishing on the market. And as if that weren't blessing enough, the historic Merritt Mansion (aka Villa Merritt-Olivier) has just hit the market too, freshly polished after seven long years of restoration and priced at a modest $11,180,000.
Why settle for a humble parsonage when God's one true apostle could reside on the very holy grounds of the old Ambassador campus? This isn't just any mansion, brethren—it's one of the original grand estates Herbert himself coveted back when he dreamed up his Pasadena paradise. Poor Hulett C. Merritt, that stubborn iron-ore tycoon, refused to sell while he was alive. But according to the sacred lore whispered in certain COG corners, the Almighty had to personally intervene—striking Merritt down in 1956 so His Apostle could finally claim the prize. Divine timing, or what?
Picture it: Sam pacing the same floors once trod by the holy feet of Herbert Armstrong himself. The very mahogany paneling, the Beaux-Arts grandeur, the echoes of biblical lectures and... well, other educational moments in rooms now regrettably converted to an office. This was the room Principles of Living was held and where students learned that 95% of people masturbate and the other 5% lie about it, and other fun sex stories. (Alas, some youthful Ambassador traditions simply don't survive modern zoning.)
This lovingly refurbished 17,329-square-foot masterpiece boasts six bedrooms, twelve baths, original detailing throughout, and—best of all—access to the community saltwater pool (once the Italian gardens, now HOA-maintained for a breezy $1,579 monthly). For just $11.18 million, it could be Sam's—or yours, if you're feeling particularly inspired.
So open those wallets, brethren! The true church is charging boldly into the future, and it desperately needs your sacrificial giving to keep the momentum holy. Dig deep, donate generously, and remember: your eternal salvation hangs in the balance. No pressure, but... the clock is ticking, and God's work doesn't fund itself. Under his eye!
See the listings here:
