Daniel P.Hoye
Philadelphia Historic Preservation Corporation
Inspired Fall 1990 vol.V, no.2 p.17

SPOTLIGHT: ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS

LOS ANGELES CHURCH THAT SERVED THE STARS

On a quiet residential street in the Los Feltz district of Los Angeles stands St. Mary of the Angels Anglican Catholic Church, a designated city landmark. Founded in 1918 as a mission to the entertainment industry, past parishioners in the congregation have included such notables as Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. Even the founding priest, Father Neal Isaac Dodd, claimed over 385 film credits during his lifetime (either for playing a priest or for advising on their portrayal). The church itself has been featured in several films.

Architect Carlton Winslow designed St. Mary’s in 1930. The Spanish Colonial Revival exterior of the building is finished with smooth concrete and has a massive entry with a colorful terra cotta roundel in the tympanum. The ornate, jewel-like interior is Romanesque. It features a number of art masterpieces, including Renaissance paintings and a solid gold chalice.

The real prize, however, is the church's, copy- of Andrea della Robbia’s 16th-century “Annunciation” altarpiece. This magnificent work in terra cotta includes the large reredos of the high altar. It is an authentic duplicate of the famous altarpiece by della Robbia in the Chiesa Maggiore in Laverna, Italy. Sometime after the artist’s death, the original molds were found in a warehouse and three duplicates were made. Besides St. Mary’s copy, one is located at the Shrine of Our lady of Walsingham, England; another is on display at the Vatican. Although valued at more than $3 million, Arthur Letts, a member of the church and founder of a department store chain sold the altarpiece to the church for one dollar. He had rescued it from demolition of a Florentine convent.

Originally Episcopalian using Anglican liturgy, the parish recently petitioned for admission to the Roman Catholic Church. It is now the Pro Cathedral for the Pacific Southwest diocese of the Anglican Catholic Church.

St. Mary’s recently celebrated the start of a long overdue restoration, it’s first face-lift in more than 60 years. Work on the exterior will include earthquake repairs, new stucco, and reglazing of windows. Meanwhile, the original bell in the old bell cote will still be rung by hand, inviting all those nearby to services.