This is a color postcard image of the chapel during its early days. Image courtesy of Palos Verdes Library District Local History Center. Image Barcode 000033803. Title: Wayfarers’ Chapel Portuguese Bend, California. To see more images of Wayfarers chapel, visit palosverdeshistory.org
Wayfarers Chapel was built as a national memorial to Swedish scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg. In the 1920s, Mrs. Elizabeth Schellenberg, a Palos Verdes resident and a member of the Swedenborgian Church, had a vision of a small chapel where travelers could stop and rest both the mind and the body. Another resident, Narcissa Cox Vanderlip, supported that idea and offered to donate a 3.5 acre plot of land for the chapel. The original architect was Ralph Jester, and he envisioned a small Spanish mission-type church, but the Great Depression and World War II caused those plans to be put on hold. After the war ended, Jester enlisted the help of architect Lloyd Wright, son of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright designed a chapel inspired by the redwood forests of Northern California.
The chapel is constructed from redwood beams, glass, and local Palos Verdes stone. Because the idea of the trinity is a large concept of religious ideas, there are many architectural triangles to represent that aspect of spiritual life. In addition, the glass walls tie in the outside world with the inside world. On July 16, 1949, the site was dedicated and the cornerstone was laid by Reverend Dr. Leonard I. Tafel who was then President of the Swedenborgian Church. On May 15,1951, the chapel was officially dedicated. Services are held every Sunday and the Chapel also hosts events such as weddings and baptisms.
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This geocache was placed with the permission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
The cache is along the Chapel View Trail which can be accessed from both of the parking waypoints.
