Angelus Temple
- Year
- 1926
- Style
- modern
- City
- Los Angeles, CA
Angelus Temple is a Pentecostal megachurch in the Echo Park district, founded by Aimee Semple McPherson and opened on January 1, 1923, seating 5,300 people. It's considered the first megachurch in the United States, built after McPherson raised $250,000 from wealthy followers to finance construction.
the building
Founding vision. McPherson chose the Echo Lake site after praying beside her ill daughter and receiving what she described as a vision of a California home, declaring on finding the lot, "This is the place God would have us build."
the style
The temple's style is identified simply as modern architecture, reflecting its status as a large, purpose-built early-20th-century megachurch rather than a revival of historic religious forms.
the architect
The building was designed by Brook Hawkins of the Winter Construction Company, whose other Los Angeles credits include the Culver Hotel, Grauman's Metropolitan Theatre, and the Pasadena Playhouse.
significance
Angelus Temple is a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized as the birthplace of the first U.S. megachurch.
nearby
- 1329 Carroll Avenue
- Felipe De Neve Branch
- Mary Andrews Clark Memorial Home
- Lipetz House
- Los Angeles Department of Water and Power General Office (John Ferraro) Building
- Richard and Dion Neutra VDL Research House