Media mogul at war with neighbors over plan to turn historic local church into mega mansion

Media mogul and heir to his father’s billions, Jay Penske, is at war with his neighbors over plans to replace a historic church in the local black community with a mansion for himself to live in.

Penske and his wife Elaine are planning to replace the First Baptist Church of Venice, which has been in the community since 1912, with an 11,000 square-foot home with a four car garage and rooftop deck, Curbed reported.

His plans have been slammed by some locals in the Californian community, which is quickly transforming from a colored working class community to the neighborhood of choice for the filthy rich.

A battle is underway in Venice between locals desperate to save their neighborhood church and media mogul Jay Penske, who wants to turn it into a mega mansion

When the development came up at a town hall meeting on Wednesday night, resident Naomi Nightengale said the plan was ‘white privilege arrogance’.

Another local said Penske had a ‘sickness’ for wanting his home more than he wanted to preserve the community’s history, CBS reported.

Many spoke about the impact such a large construction would have on the aesthetic of the area, noting most buildings did not share the palatial dimensions of Penske’s proposed development.

Elaine Penske, a former Victoria’s Secret model, said despite Wednesday’s furious town hall meeting, she had received lots of support from other members of the community, who say the home would be good for the neighborhood. 

Mrs Penske says some believe it would help housing prices. 

‘We’ve had extensive conversation, exchanges in emails with community members,’ she said.

‘We’ve received numerous letters from neighbors offering support.’ 

Jay Penske (pictured) and his wife Elaine were seen at a town hall meeting on Wednesday where locals said their housing development sounded like 'white privilege arrogance'

Jay Penske and his wife Elaine (pictured) were seen at a town hall meeting on Wednesday where locals said their housing development sounded like 'white privilege arrogance'

Jay Penske (left) and his wife Elaine (right) were seen at a town hall meeting on Wednesday where locals said their housing development sounded like ‘white privilege arrogance’

While one resident called Penske 'sick' for his disregard of local history, former Victoria's Secret model Elaine (center) said the family had received a lot of support from other neighbors

While one resident called Penske ‘sick’ for his disregard of local history, former Victoria’s Secret model Elaine (center) said the family had received a lot of support from other neighbors

Outside, other residents protested and some even asked the Penske's to donate the church back to the community

Outside, other residents protested and some even asked the Penske’s to donate the church back to the community

The church was sold to the Penske’s in February 2017 for $6.3million, The Real Deal reported.

Outside of Wednesday’s town hall, dozens of community members held signs with slogans saying ‘save our church’ and ‘history is not for sale’.

Some even bravely asked the Penske’s if they would donate the church back to the community, reasoning the family has enough money to do so, CBS reported. 

The church was built in Santa Monica in 1910, and relocated to Venice in 1912. In 1968, having outgrown its original premises, the church was rebuilt on a former boat yard across the street.

Many in the neighborhood feel a close bond with the building, whether it be from attending or simply because the church was a local fixture. 

The church was built in 1910 and moved to Venice in 1912. Locals have seen what was once a predominately colored and working class area become a hide-out for the immeasurably wealthy

The church was built in 1910 and moved to Venice in 1912. Locals have seen what was once a predominately colored and working class area become a hide-out for the immeasurably wealthy

‘I don’t know why they want to take away something that’s on sacred ground. I don’t know why they want to destroy something that God has planted here,’ Ronnie Brock, who grew up in the church, told Curbed in December. 

‘You don’t destroy what God has put in place.’

Penske is the founder, Chairman and CEO of Penske Media Corporation, which owns and operates Variety, Deadline and Rolling Stone among others. 

His father, Roger Penske, a former race car driver who went on to own a number of racing teams and has made billions from the industry. 

A father of five, he is worth $1.89 billion. 

'You don't destroy what God has put in place': One local said he found it particularly aggrieving Penske would try to build on a church

‘You don’t destroy what God has put in place’: One local said he found it particularly aggrieving Penske would try to build on a church

 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk