Hallelujah! The Lost Church gets permit OK

The Lost Church is one step closer to getting the city’s blessing.

At its meeting on June 22, the San Francisco Planning Department approved a permit to legalize the cozy Capp Street theater and music spot. Owners Brett and Elizabeth Cline, who have put three years of work into the effort, still have to get the approval of the Entertainment Commission and meet other requirements.

Since opening in February 2011, The Lost Church, at 65 Capp Street, has put on multimedia theater shows, book readings, movie screenings and hosted numerous live music shows. Designed by the late conceptual artist David Ireland, the space was previously permitted as a live-work space but has served as an artist studio or performance space for decades.

Though the Clines still have hurdles to clear, prospects for the theater look good. In materials submitted for last week’s meeting, the Planning Department noted that there was no record of opposition to the permit and that the site has been a performance space for 20 years with no history of complaints.

Although a hearing before the Entertainment Commission has not yet been scheduled, The Lost Church is compiling letters of support. If you’re interested in submitting one, send it to janitor@thelostchurch.org.

[Photo via The Lost Church’s Facebook page]