Mission San Gabriel Arcangel

The history of LA centers round the 1771 Mission San Gabriel, the 4th of the 21 missions that commenced the settlement of the state of California. This large adobe complicated became the most rich of all the California missions till it passed from the Franciscans to the Mexican state and back to the church again in the mid-l800s. The graveyard was the first in Los Angeles county, and the mission itself offers a glance at what life was like in extraordinarily early California history.

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

The seat of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has been controversial since the day the design was disclosed for being austere and non-traditional. Built of concrete, its angular exterior and brilliant alabaster-lighted interior attract visitors from all over the world. The product of a Spanish architect and several local artists, the building, its impressive bronze doors, and interior tapestries make it one of the hottest religious landmarks in Los Angeles.

Monastery of the Angels

An operating, cloistered convent of Dominican nuns, the building and grounds attract travellers who head to buy the nuns ‘ famous pumpkin bread. Like many spiritual sites in Los Angeles, it is found in the center of a busy home neighborhood, where visitors find it a remission from the noise and perplexity of the town and come to pray and meditate in the chapel or the quiet gardens.

Million Dollar Theater

One of the city’s first and most opulent picture theaters was once one of LA spiritual landmarks, a Mexican church. It has reputedly returned, at least part of the time, to its part in the Hispanic community as a theater. It was originally one of Sid Grauman’s brilliant, if somewhat tasteless, theater creations.

Breed Street Shul

Also known as Breed Street Synagogue, this Orthodox congregation started in a frame building in 1915, made a new brick structure in 1923, and flourished as the largest synagogue west of Chicago till the encircling Jewish community dispersed following World War Two. Latterly named to the National Register of Historic Places, the building has been through up to date re-building and will reopen as a museum and community center.

Angelus Temple

Founded by evangelist Amy Church McPherson in 1923, it was the home of the Global Church of the Foursquare Gospel. It has also got been named to the National Register of Historic Places and still operates as a church of the Foursquare Gospel.

Los Angeles California Temple

No tour of Los Angeles spiritual landmarks should omit the LA temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Once the biggest, now the second largest temple in the US, its surrounding grounds and gardens are spectacularly lighted at holiday time.

Greg Baker has had an interest in landmarks in Los Angeles for many years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For more information about Los Angeles religious landmarks please visit his site.

Los Angeles Religious Landmarks is a post from: WiredWriter