Wadsworth Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Catholic-Protestant Chapels, Dept. of Veterans Affairs Center
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Wadsworth Chapel, May 2008
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 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | Los Angeles, California |
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| Built | 1900 |
| Architect | Burton, J. Lee |
| Architectural style | Carpenter Gothic, Romanesque Revival, Shingle-style Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000229 |
| Added to NRHP | February 11, 1972 |
Wadsworth Chapel, also known as the Catholic-Protestant Chapels, is a unique building in West Los Angeles, California. It actually holds two separate chapels under one roof. This special building was finished in 1900. Sadly, it closed in 1971 after being damaged by an earthquake.
The chapel is the oldest building still standing on Wilshire Boulevard. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Over the years, the building has become quite worn down. This is because the Department of Veterans Affairs has not had enough money for all the repairs it needs.
Contents
A Look Back: Early History of Wadsworth Chapel
The land for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Los Angeles is very large, about 388 acres. This land was given to the government in 1888. The idea was to build a home for soldiers who had been injured or disabled. This home was called the Pacific Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.
Many Victorian-style dormitories were built in the 1890s. Then, in 1900, Wadsworth Chapel was built. It was created to give the soldiers living there a place to worship and find peace.
The Design of Wadsworth Chapel
This building is quite special because it contains two separate chapels. A thick brick wall divides them. The Catholic chapel is at the north end, and the Protestant chapel is at the south end. Each chapel has its own entrance. Each also has a tall tower with a belfry for bells.
J. Lee Burton designed Wadsworth Chapel. Experts have called it an "intricate little jewel box" because of its detailed design.
Architectural Style and Details
The chapel is known for its interesting mix of styles on the outside. It combines elements of Colonial Revival, which is sometimes called Romanesque Revival, and Carpenter Gothic Victorian architecture. The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Board has praised Wadsworth Chapel. They say it's one of the most impressive examples of Shingle-style Queen Anne buildings in the Los Angeles area.
The building is about 7,500 square feet in size. It cost $12,400 to build in 1900. It was made with redwood siding and features 21 different types of windows.
Originally, the outside of the chapel was stained in dark earth tones with white trim. Old postcards show this original look. However, since 1941, the entire exterior has been painted white. In 1955, the Protestant chapel was damaged by fire. The VA didn't have enough money to fix all the fire damage. Because of this, the balcony in the Protestant chapel has been closed ever since.
Challenges and Hopes for Renovation
Both chapels have been closed to visitors since the 1971 earthquake. This earthquake shook the foundation and caused the northeast bell tower to pull away from the building. Since 1971, the chapel has continued to fall apart. The Department of Veterans Affairs has not been able to pay for the needed repairs and restoration work.
Even after more than 50 years of neglect, experts believe the building can be saved. It is still the oldest building on Wilshire Boulevard. The VA has estimated that it would cost about $11.5 million to fix the chapel. This work would include replacing the foundation, making it safe from earthquakes, and removing old asbestos and lead paint.
The Debate Over Repair Costs
Spending a lot of money to fix the chapel has been a topic of discussion among veterans. Some feel that with limited funds, the VA should focus on helping veterans who need services now. They question spending nearly $12 million on a chapel that has been closed since 1972.
In 2007, a newspaper article shared a veteran's thoughts. He said, "That is such a beautiful piece of workmanship and, yes, it cries out to be repaired... At the same time, the veterans cry out to be repaired. It’s a moral issue.” Groups like the Veterans Park Conservancy have tried to raise money from private donors to help with the renovation. However, as of 2007, they had not been successful. The newspaper described the chapel as "the oldest building on Wilshire Boulevard is a fixerupper duplex of a most unusual sort.”
See also
- List of Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles
- Streetcar Depot, West Los Angeles
