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 bigger El Pueblo de los Ángeles Historical Monument.
The church's story began in 1784. That's when the Spanish created a small mission outpost called the Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles Asistencia. It helped support the main Mission San Gabriel Arcángel nearby. By 1814, that 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.
History of the Plaza Church
The church, known as La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles, was officially started on August 18, 1814. A Franciscan priest named Fray Luis Gil y Taboada laid the first stone for the new church. He built it on the old ruins of the first small mission outpost. This outpost was created 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 original church. This new chapel was called La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, meaning "The Church of Our Lady of the Angels." The word Reina, meaning "Queen," was added to the name later on. For many years, this small chapel was the only Catholic church in Los Angeles. People often called it "La Placita" or "Plaza Church."
Since 1908, the church has been managed by the Claretian Missionary Fathers. Today, it is part of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. It serves as a local church for the neighborhood and is also an important cultural landmark. Since the 1960s, the building has been made stronger to protect it from earthquakes. Church services are held in both Spanish and English.
Important Landmark Status
This historic building has received special recognition. In 1962, it was named one of the first three Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments. This means it's a very important historical place in Los Angeles. It has also been named a California Historical Landmark.
A special marker at the church explains its history. 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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See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles para niños
- List of Spanish missions in California
- Los Angeles Plaza Historic District
- Olvera Street
- List of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments in Downtown Los Angeles
- History of Los Angeles
- USNS Mission Los Angeles (AO-117) – a Mission Buenaventura class fleet oiler built during World War II.
- Sanctuary movement
- Porziuncola
