Churches in Southern California serve many purposes. People attend ceremonies, such as weddings and baptisms. They form strong ties with their church communities, and they find comfort in the familiar rituals of their religion. While you might consider all of the beauty of the earth to be very closely connected to a higher power, you might not think of your church itself as a place to commune with nature – usually, our chapels and cathedrals are all about the manmade beauty that we create in order to worship and honor God. The Wayfarer’s Chapel, also known as The Glass Church, is a very spiritual place, but it is a little bit different. You’ll fall in love with the beauty of this unique glass chapel in Southern California.

The chapel was designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, Lloyd Wright. He envisioned the chapel as a sanctuary in the middle of beautiful natural surroundings – a place where architecture and nature come together to celebrate life and worship God. These lovely Glass Chapel photos are just a fraction of the beauty of the that this beautiful chapel has in person.

As you first approach this chapel, it looks similar to others you've seen. Its rock spire and cross are standard, familiar features. From far down the path, you can't see the Glass Church very well. It's not immediately obvious that you've stumbled upon the most unique chapel in Southern California.
Ron Y./TripAdvisor
Once you get closer, you can see that there is a chapel, made of glass and beams. it blends right into its surroundings, as the architect intended. This chapel is one of the finest examples of Organic Architecture in the world. It's also known as the "Glass Church in Southern California."
Mzaza2014/TripAdvisor
Frank Lloyd Wright visited the California Redwood forests after World War II. As he was sitting at a restaurant, he looked up through a skylight and noticed the towering trees arching above him, forming a sort of cathedral ceiling.

Later, recalling that moment, he said, "The great cathedrals of redwood inspired me to use the redwoods here. In earlier days all over the face of the Earth, there were chapels in glades and the woods which were meeting places for the priests and the people. The Chapel was to be a place for people to meet, think, and contemplate the forces of nature and God Almighty. The setting of this Chapel is to receive people, the wayfarers."
Step inside this beautiful space and you'll truly start to understand Frank Lloyd Wright's goal. Surrounded by trees and sky, you'll feel as though you're both inside and outside - at the same time. Everything inside is created by nature - from the stone altar and half walls topped with planters full of greenery, to the benches created from rich redwood.
kpang21/flickr
"I used the glass so that the natural growth, the sky, and sea beyond became the definition of their environment. This is done to give the congregation protection in services and at the same time to create the sense of outer as well as inner space."
Look up through the glass ceiling. While you're inside, whether you are there alone to quietly sit, or are there attending a service, you'll feel that you are part of the natural landscape.
Grover R./TripAdvisor
"I wanted particularly to allow those trees and those trunks to be seen and the space beyond and into infinity to be observed, so those who sat in the sanctuary would perceive the grandeur of space out beyond and around them." Known as one of the most beautiful churches in Southern California, the passion and heart behind the structure is made even more endearing.

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The chapel is framed by redwood trees so that from a distance it almost melts into the woods and becomes one with them.
Photo Graphy/Google
"When the trees that surround the Chapel grow up, they will become the framework, become a part of the tree forms and branches that inevitably arise from the growing trees adjacent to it."
The outdoor garden spaces surround the chapel with more beauty supplied by nature.
Management/TripAdvisor
It adds a simple element of beauty to what's already considered a unique chapel in Southern California.
The grounds and gardens are truly stunning.
Caroline L/TripAdvisor
The view to the ocean below is stunning and completes this perfect space in which to feel at one with the planet and its creator.
Management/TripAdvisor
This church does not have a regular congregation - it's open to everyone for worship services. Communion is offered during services on the first Sunday of the month, and special services are held on holidays.

Get a closer look at this gorgeous chapel:

The Glass Church in California is located at 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Visit the Wayfarer’s Chapel website for more information on the most unique chapel in Southern California.

This is just one of many beautiful churches in Southern California. For more breathtaking views, take a look at these 10 beautiful churches.

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More to Explore

Unique Chapel In Southern California

Meghan Kraft | August 07, 2020

Are there any castles in SoCal?

Castles in SoCal include:

  • Pyne Castle
  • Rubel Castle
  • Hearst Castle
  • The grand castle at Disneyland

Southern California may not be known for historic castles, but it is home to a hidden few. Pyne Castle is known for its expansive grandeur and money-laden past and is located in Laguna Beach, California. In Glendora, you’ll find a free-wheeling bohemian vibe at Rubel Castle. Hearst Castle isn’t quite in SoCal, but it’s on the central coast and is a sprawling 68,500 square-foot castle with 38 bedrooms and two swimming pools. Of course, there is always the grand castle at Disneyland, known to be home to Sleeping Beauty and a prime monument to a California childhood.

Are there any treehouse restaurants in SoCal?

A treehouse restaurant in SoCal is Cliff's Edge.

You won’t find yourself suspended in the air at Cliff’s Edge in Southern California, but you’ll still feel as if you’ve stepped into an exotic treehouse with cozy touches. You’ll find the Sunset Boulevard location under a natural canopy of trees and a series of romantic lights. We’d highly recommend that you visit Cliff’s Edge in the nighttime when the moody atmosphere is set to light by candles and low-level illumination.

What are the most beautiful churches in SoCal?

The most beautiful churches in SoCal include:

  • The Glass Church
  • Mormon San Diego Temple
  • Mission Santa Barbara
  • St. Andrew's Catholic Church

SoCal has a history of Catholicism due to its initial Spanish and Mexican roots, and there are a series of temples, worship halls, and churches that tend to be considered some of the most beautiful in the state. The Glass Church in Rancho Palos Verdes is made almost entirely out of glass, which means you can experience the great outdoors during worship. The Mormon San Diego Temple has spires that seem to reach straight to heaven, and the chapel at Mission Santa Barbara will take you right back in time to its dedication in 1820. We’d also recommend visiting the Pasadena St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, which was built in 1927.

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5755 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, USA