The Wayfarers Chapel is one of those places that once visited, is almost impossible to forget. The Glass Church, as it is also known, has become an important icon known not only locally, but around the country as well. This small Swedenborgian (Protestant) church is not simply a neighborhood church, but has become a symbol of peace, tranquility and beauty along the coast of Palos Verdes and the Santa Monica Bay. Unfortunately, this architectural masterpiece designed by Lloyd Wright, (Frank Lloyd Wright, Jr), was built near the geologically unstable Portuguese Bend area and as the landslides expanded, the Wayfarers Chapel finally succumbed to Mother Nature’s whims. Luckily, the Glass Church was saved by being disassembled and a new location has been found for this historic church. But, as the grounds of the chapel were well known for its peaceful spirits, what happens to them when their entire afterworld has been removed?
Narcissa Vanderlip donated 3.5 acres of land to Elizabeth Schellenberg in the late 1920s to build the Wayfarer’s Chapel but WWII delayed the project until after victory was won. By then, the original architect, Ralph Jester had brought Lloyd Wright, son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright in on the project. Wanting to give the feeling of nature to the project as well as keeping the grandeur of God’s creation at the forefront of the project, Wright began designing his masterpiece on the peninsula. The ground breaking of the Wayfarers Chapel took place on July 16, 1949, with construction beginning almost immediately. The chapel and grounds were completed in 1951, with famed Hollywood actor, Charles Laughton giving the dedication speech. Laughton would not be the last Hollywood celebrity to grace what would come to be called the “Glass Church.”
Over the years, the Wayfarers Chapel has hosted luminary unions. In January of 1958, Jane Mansfield got hitched to Mr. Universe, Mickey Hargitay. In the 1980 movie about Mansfield’s life, the wedding scenes were also shot at the Wayfarers Chapel; a relatively unknown actor played the role of Hargitay, this actor’s name is Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 1971, Gary Berghoff, who played the beloved Radar O’Reilly on the TV show M*A*S*H was married in front of the stone waterfall altar, Beach Boys front man Brian Wilson was married here in 1995 and said this about the Glass Church, “The vibrations in that chapel were so wonderful.” But perhaps the most star-studded union that took place at the Wayfarers Chapel was that of Dennis Hopper and a 22 year-old ballerina who was 31 years his junior. This fourth marriage for Hopper only lasted three years but in attendance were notables such as Carol Kane and Kiefer Sutherland as well as his ring-bearer Roddy McDowall. Astronaut Anna Fisher and Governor Earl Warren recited their vows here; other stars spotted here over the years include Debbie Reynolds, Carroll O’Connor, Pat Nixon and none other than Bob Hope himself have all been guests at the chapel.
The Wayfarers Chapel has become a movie star in its own right having been seen in many films and Television shows. In 1989, the blockbuster movie, “Innerspace” featuring Dennis Quaid, Martin Short and Meg Ryan filmed the final scenes of the movie at the Glass Church. “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” shot a brief scene at the church, along with the 2014 movie “Endless Love.” Hollywood isn’t the only media to have utilized the stunning location either; many television shows have included the chapel’s beautiful grounds. The Fox teen drama, “The O.C.” filmed the wedding of their two main characters, Julie and Caleb here and later, when Caleb died, his funeral was held here as well. The Wayfarers Chapel doubled for the Hamptons in the television series, “Revenge” as it saw the wedding of Emily Thorne to Daniel Grayson in one of the show’s most watched mid-season finales. Season 9 of “The Bachelorette” saw Desiree and new husband Chris off on their dream wedding and the Wayfarers Chapel became the Panticapaeum Institute in season 2 of, “True Detective.” There have been so many television shows filmed on the grounds that it would take too long to list, suffice it to say that the Wayfarers Chapel has appeared in Science Fiction to Westerns, “Sliders” to “Hunter,” and everything in between. But, as fate would have it, no matter how famous a person or place may be, no matter how many folks visit, Mother Nature and Fate, sometimes step in to let us all know that they, not us, are actually in charge…