St. Mary of the Angels

Hollywood’s historic “Little Church Around the Corner,” St. Mary of the Angels, often called simply St. Mary’s, in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles was built in 1929-30. It was designed by noted architect Carleton Winslow in the Spanish Mission style. Original plans included a community center, an extensive library, a gymnasium and even a bowling alley. Fundraising fell short and the result was greatly diminished. Father Neal Dodd, the church’s founder, became “the Padre of Hollywood” serving as technical director of religious scenes on films and even appearing in them as a member of the clergy. He was the first clergyman to hold a SAG card. Many familiar faces of the big screen worshipped at St. Mary’s, including Douglas Fairbanks, Charlton Heston, Anthony Quinn, Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields and Mary Pickford. It is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.

Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
Photographer: John Bare