Angelus Temple is a Pentecostal megachurch in the Echo Park district of Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded by Aimee Semple McPherson in 1923, it is considered the first U.S. megachurch.
Today, it is affiliated with the Foursquare Church and led by senior pastor Matthew Barnett. In 2015, the weekly attendance was 8,975.
McPherson hired Brook Hawkins from Winter Construction Company, the architect of the Culver Hotel, the Grauman's Metropolitan Theatre and the Pasadena Playhouse.
The Angelus Temple building, seating 5,300 people, was opened in Echo Park on January 1, 1923.George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2016, p. 1471 On opening day, McPherson told a reporter, "Today is the happiest day of my entire life. I can hardly believe that this great temple has been built for me!" "Great Temple Is Dedicated— Tabernacle Built by Woman Officially Opened", The Los Angeles Times, January 2, 1923, p.II-2, archived on newspapers.com She managed to raise $250,000 from wealthy followers to finance the construction. The temple is considered to be the first megachurch built in the United States, and its 125-foot-wide dome was the largest in North America. Attendance in McPherson's day reached as much as 10,000 people.Thomas, Lately Storming Heaven: The Lives and Turmoils of Minnie Kennedy and Aimee Semple McPherson, Ballantine Books, USA, 1970 page 32
In 1924, a radio station, KFSG, began operation from the site. Twin towers were constructed atop the building to support the station's transmitting antenna. In 1927, it opened a food bank and soup kitchen near the church distributing food, clothing and blankets.Edith Waldvogel Blumhofer, Edith L. Blumhofer, Aimee Semple McPherson: Everybody's Sister, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, USA, 1993, p. 345
According to church records, Angelus Temple received 40 million visitors within the first seven years.Bridal Call (Foursquare Publications, 1100 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles.) October 1929, p. 27 At first, McPherson preached every service, often in a dramatic scene she put together to attract audiences.
In 1972, the temple was renovated with a $500,000 budget.
In November 2001, Matthew Barnett became the senior pastor.
In 2015, the weekly attendance was 8,975.Hartford Institute, Database of megachurches in the US, Official website, USA, Retrieved September 11, 2016
Angelus Temple was the largest construction of its time in North America, rising "125 feet from the main floor". A panorama of clouds, the work of artist Anne Henneke, adorns the ceiling, and the temple has eight stained glass windows depicting the life of Jesus Christ, created by artist George Haskins. The building underwent renovations in 1972, while still retaining its original interior and exterior appearance. The lighted cross atop the temple's dome is a longstanding landmark. The entire temple was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1992. and
The temple was a Class "A" fireproof building constructed of concrete and steel designed by Brook Hawkins. The structure's main architectural feature is its large, unsupported concrete dome coated with a mixture of ground abalone shells. The dome's interior was painted azure blue, with fleecy clouds, a reminder to "work while it's day" and "to look for His coming". McPherson insisted on a bright, joyous setting, avoiding any reminder of sin from either artwork or motto. In back of the pulpit was her theme verse from Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever." She later said that she loved "every stone in Angelus Temple,...I love to touch its walls, its altar,...I look to its high vaulted dome...."Blumhofer, p. 239 but no part of the church pleased her more than the magnificent Kimball pipe organ which always soothed her and brought her peace of mind.Blumhofer, pp. 246–247
After the temple's dedication in 1923, the 5,300-seat auditorium was filled three times each day, seven days a week.
L.I.F.E. Bible College was founded in a building adjacent to Angelus Temple. This building is currently the home of the Angelus Temple Hispanic Church.
McPherson lived in the parsonage adjacent to the Temple; it is currently open to visitors.
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