La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles
La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles (English: "The Church of Our Lady Queen of the Angels") is a historic Catholic church in El Pueblo de los Ángeles Historical Monument in northern downtown Los Angeles, California. The church was founded by the Spanish in the early 19th century when modern-day California was under Spanish rule and known as Alta California in the Viceroyalty of New Spain. History. La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles ("The Church of Our Lady Queen of the Angels ) was founded on August 18, 1814, by Franciscan Fray Luis Gil y Taboada. He placed the cornerstone for the new church in the adobe ruins of the original sub-station mission" here, the "Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles Asistencia" (founded 1784), thirty years after it was established to serve the settlement founding "Los Angeles Pobladores" (original settlers). The completed new structure was dedicated on December 8, 1822. A replacement chapel, named "La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles" – for Mary, mother of Jesus or "The Church of Our Lady of the Angels" – was rebuilt using materials of the  original church in 1861. The title "Reina", meaning "Queen," was added later to the name. For years, the little chapel, which collected the nicknames ""La Placita"" and "Plaza Church," served as the sole Roman Catholic church in Los Angeles. 20th century. The facility has operated under the auspices of the Claretian Missionary Fathers since 1908. The building was designated as one of the first three Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments in 1962. It has also been designated as a California Historical Landmark. 21st century. The church is a part of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and serves as a neighborhood  parish church, as well as a cultural landmark. Since the 1960s it has been retrofitted against earthquakes. Masses are said in Spanish and English. California Historical Landmark Marker. California Historical Landmark Marker NO. 144 at the site reads: