FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH of LOS ANGELES

OUR WEDDINGS | TV & FILMS | OUR GUESTBOOK


THE BUILDING \| STAINED GLASS WINDOWS \| THE CHAPELS & GROUNDS

THE BUILDING
First Congregational Church of Los Angeles was founded in 1867 and is the oldest Protestant church in continuous service in Los Angeles. The present cathedral style building is the church’s fifth home and was completed in 1932. It was designed by Los Angeles architects James E. and David C. Allison in the gothic revival style and built of reinforced concrete. The construction was very forward-looking for its day. Imbedded in the concrete are over 500 tons of steel bars. The entire structure, including Shatto Chapel and the Seaver Building, encompasses an area of 157,000 square feet. At its apex is a massive tower, which rises to a height of 157 feet. Its design is reminiscent of the tower of Oxford University’s Magdalen College.

The Bronze Doors You enter the main sanctuary from the forecourt through large bronze doors designed and crafted by Canadian artist Albert Gilles of Quebec in 1946. Three inches thick and weighing a thousand pounds each, the doors portray scenes from the life of Christ.

The Pulpit There are seven carvings on the oak pulpit. On either side are medallions depicting a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle, each with a book, representing the evangelists who wrote the four gospels of the New Testament — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. On the far left is the menorah, symbolic of the Old Testament, and on the far right the ship, symbol of the Christian Church. In the center, facing the pews, is a cross inscribed with the Greek letters IC XC NIKA, which means “Jesus Christ, Conqueror.”

The Sanctuary The Sanctuary, with its graceful arches and cruciform shape, is 198 feet long and 76 feet high at the crossing. It was modeled on the worship spaces of the great cathedrals of France and England. The spaciousness, dignity and tranquility of this room is complemented by carved oak pews, doors, organ cases and chancel furniture, as well as many beautiful accoutrements given by parishioners or friends as memorials to loved ones.

The Reredos The reredos, a beautiful hand-carved oak screen surrounding and supporting the altar, was added to the chancel in 1949. Its soft color, the scale of the cross, the paneling and tracery add greatly to the aesthetic of the chancel and embellish the altar. The main elements of the carving are the vine and grapes, symbolic of Christ and his followers, and the rose, a symbol of new life, new birth. Our reredos was designed by Allison and Rible of Los Angeles, who based their design on the reredos of Winchester Cathedral in England. The cross, the most expressive and honored symbol of the Christian faith, dominates the reredos. Four large shields duplicate some of the carvings you may have noticed outside over the entrance of the church. On the left is the peacock, a symbol of the Resurrection. It is one of the earliest symbols which appear on the tombs and catacombs preserved in Europe. Next is the ship, symbol of the church beset by waves of persecution and schism. On the right the crown of thorns and nails remind us of the Crucifixion. The last is the Agnus Dei, or Lamb of God, the symbol of Christ.

The Peace Shrine To the south of the chancel is the Peace Shrine where Communion is celebrated after the 11:00A Sunday morning service on all but four Sundays of the year, when it is celebrated in the worship service. This gives those who wish the opportunity to receive the Sacrament weekly. The Peace Shrine was so named at the beginning of World War II and was used regularly by members praying for loved ones in the armed services of our country.

The Covenant Room Located outside the sanctuary, off the chancel, the Covenant Room contains documents and articles which relate to our Pilgrim heritage or to the history of First Church. A model of the good ship Mayflower, cast in an alloy of brass and bronze by Milwaukee metallurgist Leland C. Johnson, belonged to Dr. Harry R. Butman, who is now deceasd, and is on permanent loan to the church. There is a framed enlargement of a daguerreotype of Amanda Scott, in whose parlor First Church was founded in 1867, and the kerosene lamp which lighted that room. On the 75th anniversary of First Church, her daughter Mary Scott, held that same lamp to burn the mortgage of the present building. On the north wall is our church covenant and below it is the book which carries the signature of every church member. On the back wall is a copy of the text of the Mayflower Compact and a lithograph of the Pilgrims signing the document. On the table below is Mary Scott’s Bible. She was the first Sunday school pupil of the church. The room was refurbished and appointed by the Altar Guild, and dedicated in June 1984.

: TOP