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 |
The Wadsworth Chapel, also known as the Catholic-Protestant Chapels, is a special building in West Los Angeles, California. It actually holds two separate chapels under one roof. This historic building was finished in 1900. It had to close in 1971 after being damaged by an earthquake. The chapel is the oldest building on Wilshire Boulevard. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Sadly, the building has been in poor condition because the Department of Veterans Affairs has not had enough money for repairs.
Contents
A Look at the Chapel's History
The land for the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Los Angeles was given to the government in 1888. The plan 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 buildings were constructed in the 1890s, including the Wadsworth Chapel in 1900. It was built to give the soldiers living there a place to worship.
What Makes the Chapel Special?
The Wadsworth Chapel is unique because it has two separate chapels inside. A thick brick wall divides them. The Catholic chapel is on the north side, and the Protestant chapel is on the south side. Each chapel has its own entrance, along with a tall tower and a belfry (where bells are kept).
J. Lee Burton designed the chapel. An expert on architecture, Christopher Alexander, once called it an "intricate little jewel box." This means it's a small, beautiful building with many detailed parts.
The outside of the building is known for its interesting decorations. It mixes different styles like Colonial Revival, Romanesque Revival, and Carpenter Gothic Victorian architecture. Experts have described the Wadsworth Chapel as one of the most impressive examples of Shingle-style Queen Anne buildings in Los Angeles. The building is about 7,500 square feet. It cost $12,400 to build in 1900. It was made with redwood siding and had 21 different kinds of windows.
Originally, the outside of the chapel was stained in dark earth colors with white trim. You can see this in old pictures. But since 1941, it has been painted all white. In 1955, the Protestant chapel was damaged by a fire. The VA did not have enough money to fix all the damage. Because of this, the balcony in the Protestant chapel has been closed ever since.
Why the Chapel Needs Help
Both chapels have been closed to visitors since the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. That earthquake shook the building's foundation. It also caused the northeast bell tower to pull away from the roof. Since 1971, the building has gotten worse and worse. The Department of Veterans Affairs has not been able to pay for the needed repairs.
Even though it has been neglected for over 50 years, experts believe the chapel can be saved. It is the oldest building left on Wilshire Boulevard. The VA has estimated that fixing it would cost about $11.5 million. This work would include replacing the foundation, making it stronger against earthquakes, and removing harmful materials like asbestos and lead paint.
Spending a lot of money to fix the chapel has caused some debate among veterans. Many feel that the VA should focus its limited funds on helping veterans from recent wars. They think it's hard to spend nearly $12 million on a chapel that has been closed since 1972. In a newspaper article from 2007, one veteran shared mixed feelings. He said the chapel was beautiful and needed repairs. But he also felt that veterans themselves needed help. He called it a "moral issue." Groups like the Veterans Park Conservancy have tried to raise private money for the repairs. However, as of 2007, they had not been successful.
See also
- List of Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles
- Streetcar Depot, West Los Angeles
