Angelus Temple
Why it's listed
Angelus Temple at 1100 Glendale Boulevard in Los Angeles is a fireproof church of concrete and steel, designed by Brook Hawkins and completed in 1923. Its most prominent feature is a large unsupported concrete dome, described as the largest in North America, coated with ground abalone shell and topped by a revolving neon cross. Beneath it, a two-balcony auditorium seats 5,300 and retains murals, stained glass windows by George Haskins, and original furnishings. The building was remodeled in 1929 and refurbished in 1972, but the interior still reflects the period of its founder. The Temple was the headquarters of evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, who raised the money to build it and used it as a center for preaching, healing, and charity. She pioneered radio evangelism, held a radio license, and drew on vaudeville and Hollywood techniques in her services. Her ministry offered employment help, a commissary, and more than 1,500,000 meals during the Great Depression. The building also became the home of the Foursquare Gospel denomination.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the Temple was the base of operations for Aimee Semple McPherson, a pioneer of radio evangelism and the first woman to receive an FCC radio license. From it she ran an extensive social ministry, including providing over 1,500,000 meals during the Great Depression. She also helped widen the appeal of Pentecostalism and founded the Foursquare Gospel denomination.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 92001875, listed April 27, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1100 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | April 27, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92001875 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1923-1944 |
| Architect / builder | Hawkins, Brook |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Religion, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated April 27, 1992 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used for religious purposes (current function: religious structure). Interior was remodeled in 1929 and refurbished in 1972. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 34.07621, -118.26086 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 92001875.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2463876
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.