Los Angeles herald., 1905-09-03
MANY CHURCHES
AND MISSIONS
PLACES OF WORSHIP NUMBER
OVER 1870
HISTORY DOWN TO DATE
Population Considered, Los Angeles
Leads All Eastern Cities In ReIig-
ious Endeavor - Work
Began in 1911
HISTORY DOWN TO DATE

brOOhlyu, ~. 1o iS LdllouS dS IHe
City of Churches, but according to pop
ulation Los Angeles has more churches
than the eastern city There are now in
Los Angeles 1870 churches and mis-
sions, representing all denominations,
aside from various religious and charit-
able organizations.
The church history of Los Angeles
commences in the early part of the last
century, when the now cosmopolitan
city was but little Spanish pueblo
with a few residents. In 1911 the
Spanish padres of San Gabriel mission
started a mission here, laying the foun-
dation of the city and giving it its name.
The establishment Of chapel was de-
layed by the Mexican revolution until
August of 1914, when Father Taboada
laid the corner stone of the church,
which was dedicated in 1922 to MARY,
the Queen of the Angels" under the
Spanish title of La Reina de Los An
geles.
During the history of the church,
which is now known as the Plaza
church and one of the landmarks of the
city, it is estimated that there have
been $4,000 baptisms and $1,000 weddings
solemnized. 1t was also the pro-
cathedral before the erection of the
present cathedral. Rev. Juan Cabel-
leria is the present pastor.
The Early Methodists
The followers of the sainted John
Wesley crossed the plains among the
miners in the rush of '49, and the first
Methodist sermon of which there Is
record in Los Angeles was preached in
a private house in 1850. There were no
regular services, but in 1853 a mis-
sionary was sent here, Rev. Adam
Bland, who crossed the isthmus on
horseback.
Commencing in 1854 Rev. J. M. Nc
Caldwell preached to small congrega-
ated on the site of the Bullard block.
In the latter part of the fifties strong
feeling was excited against the Metho :
dists on account of their position or
the slavery question. and services were
abandoned until after the Civil War.
The work was resumed in 1856. This
was the real beginning Of the First
Methodist church, which is now located
on the northeast corner of Sixth and
Hill streets, with the membership at
the last conference of 100.
There are now thirty-two Methodist
churches In Los Angeles, with total
membership estimated at 10000.
Protestant Episcopal Church
The Protestant Episcopal church was
first established here by Rt. Rev. w. I.
Kip, missionary bishop of California. in
1856 Occasional meetings were held
until 1864 when a brick church was
built on the site which is now occupied
by the county court house. This church
was known by the name of st. Athan-
asius, with ten communicates. and the
Protestant population Of the city as
congregation. In 1888 the parish was
reorganized under the name of St.
Pauls, when it was moved to it's present
location on Olive street, near Sixth.
Very Rev. DR.. ]. j. Wilkins is the dean
and rector of st. Pauls pro-cathedral,
as it Is now known. Rev. Henderson
Judd is the bishops chaplain.
There are eleven church buildings in
the city, seven parish houses and sew
eral rectories, the church property be-
ing valued at $355,7OO. 1t is estimated
there are 2370 communicates, with 4670
in the various congregations.
Growth of Catholic Church
The aggressive work of the Catholic
church was commenced here with the
establishment of the diocese of Mon
terey and Los Angeles in 1910. In 1876
the Cathedral of st. Vibiana was
erected under the direction of Bishop
Mora. The Catholic population of Los
Angeles is estimated at 10000, of which
are eleven churches, with thirty-six
resident priests, with Rt. Rev. T. j.
Conaty as bishop. There are also
chapels in five converts.
st. Vincent's church was established
in 1886 by Very Rev. A. j. Meyer with
twenty-four parishioners. The parish
now numbers $50 families.
st. Joseph's, the only Franciscan
church here since the secularization of
the old Plaza church, was established
in 1888. the present building having been
dedicated in 1903.
Jewish Synagoeues
The Temple B'nai Birth was estab-
lished in Los Angeles about forty years
ago. 1t is now located at the corner of
Ninth and Hope streets, with 200
families in the congregation. Rabbi S.
Hecht is in sarge.
Temple B III Israel was established
about four years ago, located on Olive,
near Temple street, of which Rabbi L.
Myers has charge. There are seventy
five families in this congregation. The
apereeate estimate of Value of the