Wayfarers Chapel, a well-known destination for Korean American visitors and widely referred to as the “Glass Church,” has confirmed plans to relocate in Rancho Palos Verdes.
The chapel, which was dismantled in July 2023 due to ground subsidence, will be rebuilt on a nearby hillside called Battery Barnes, located 1.7 miles west of its original location and directly across from Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall.
Chapel will be rebuilt with added facilities
According to a recent announcement on the chapel’s official website, Wayfarers Chapel is working with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes to reconstruct the sanctuary in its original glass design, with seating for approximately 100 guests. From the new location, visitors will also have views of the Point Vicente Lighthouse and coastline.
Along with the chapel, the site will include a visitor center, museum, café, and gardens. Construction will begin once official approvals are finalized, using the original materials currently in storage.
Wayfarers Chapel was designed by architect Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright, and opened in 1951. It was closed in February 2023 due to safety concerns and designated a National Historic Landmark later that year. The chapel has hosted thousands of weddings and remains a prominent cultural landmark in the South Bay area.
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
