La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles facts for kids
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 Location in Los Angeles
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| Location | Los Angeles, California |
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| Coordinates | 34°03′25″N 118°14′22″W / 34.05698°N 118.23939°W |
| English translation | The Church of Our Lady Queen of the Angels |
| Patron | Mary, mother of Jesus |
| Founding date | August 18, 1814 |
| Founding priest(s) | Father Luis Gíl y Taboada |
| Governing body | Roman Catholic Church |
| Current use | Parish Church |
| Reference no. | #144 |
| Reference no. | 3 |
La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles is a very old and important Catholic church in Los Angeles, California. Its name means "The Church of Our Lady Queen of the Angels." You can find it in the historic Plaza de Los Ángeles, close to Downtown Los Angeles.
This church is part of the larger El Pueblo de los Ángeles Historical Monument. Its story began in 1784. That's when the Spanish created a small mission outpost called the Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles Asistencia. This outpost helped the bigger Mission San Gabriel Arcángel nearby. By 1814, the outpost was no longer used. A new church was then started in its place by Padre Luis Gil y Taboada. This church is one of the oldest buildings in Los Angeles.
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History of the Plaza Church
The church, often called "The Church of Our Lady Queen of the Angels," was officially started on August 18, 1814. A Franciscan priest named Fray Luis Gil y Taboada laid the first stone. This stone was placed in the old ruins of the original mission outpost. That outpost had been set up in 1784 to serve the first settlers of Los Angeles.
The new church building was finished and opened on December 8, 1822. Later, in 1861, a new chapel was built using parts of the old church. This chapel was named La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, meaning "The Church of Our Lady of the Angels." The word Reina, which means "Queen," was added to the name later on. For many years, this small chapel was the only Roman Catholic church in Los Angeles. People often called it "La Placita" or "Plaza Church."
The 20th Century
Since 1908, the Claretian Missionary Fathers have been in charge of the church. They help run its daily activities.
In 1962, the building was named one of the first three Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments. This means it's a very important historical site in Los Angeles. It has also been recognized as a California Historical Landmark.
The 21st Century
Today, the church is part of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. It serves as a local church for the neighborhood. It is also an important cultural place to visit. Since the 1960s, the church has been made stronger to protect it from earthquakes. Church services are held in both Spanish and English.
California Historical Landmark
There is a special marker at the church. It tells visitors that the church is a California Historical Landmark. The marker number is 144. It says:
- NO. 144 NUESTRA SEÑORA LA REINA DE LOS ANGELES - La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles-the Church of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels-was dedicated on December 8, 1822 during California's Mexican era. Originally known as La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles, the church was the only Catholic church for the pueblo. Today it primarily serves the Hispanic population of Los Angeles.
Gallery
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The Spring Street entrance of Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles (Our Lady Queen of Angels/La Placita Church—the main church, not the chapel)
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La Placita Church in the Old Plaza in Los Angeles, CA circa 1880.
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The "Old Plaza Church" facing the Plaza, 1869. The brick reservoir in the middle of the Plaza was the original terminus of the Zanja Madre.
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The entrance of Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles (La Placita Church)Chapel located at 535 North Main Street in Downtown Los Angeles on July 20, 2007.
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Postcard showing interior circa 1940s
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Left side altar. Our Lady of Guadalupe image.
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Images for kids
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The beautiful gilded altar inside the church.
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A photo of the "Plaza Church" taken between 1890 and 1900. It had a bell tower with four bells before it was rebuilt in 1861.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles para niños
