St. Mary of the Angels Church, Hollywood

St. Mary of the Angels is a Spanish Mission style church in Los Feliz, California, built between 1929 and 1930. The building features a massive altarpiece made of terra cotta and porcelain depicting the Annunciation, along with handmade mission tiles and extensive wood carpentry throughout the interior.

The church was founded by Rev. Neal Dodd, a clergyman with ties to the early Hollywood film industry during its construction period. The building was carefully designed to reflect Spanish Mission architecture that had deep roots in California's past.

The church draws visitors interested in Spanish Mission architecture and the skilled craftsmanship that defines its interior spaces. The building serves a community that regularly gathers for services that include musical performances during celebrations.

The interior can be viewed on weekends, especially when services are taking place, which showcase the architecture and decoration in full display. It is wise to arrive early or check opening times beforehand to ensure you can view the artwork and details at a leisurely pace.

The building underwent a major restoration in 2011 in which decorative cast stone finials were replaced to preserve the original Mission aesthetic. The work conserved the handcrafted quality that characterized the building from its inception.