CALIFORNIA—Lofty mountains topped with eternal snows. Dreamy valleys fragrant with orange blossoms and citrus fruit, sleeping 'neath the blue haze mantle, to the drone of the honey bee. Sparkling seashores flashing back the glory of the California sun.
LOS ANGELES—Golden heart of the Southland, the paradise of the tourist. Sentinel palms guarding flower lined avenues, cream-white mansions sunning themselves lazily 'neath green and rose tiled roofs. The Riviera of America, Los Angeles, the City of the Angels, the home of the Foursquare Gospel.
ECHO PARK—An emerald set turquoise, gleaming upon the heart of Los Angeles—verdant lawns sloping to crystal waters, feathery palms, date and cocoa, and winding paths. Silver plumaged pampas grass, clustered water lilies, stately swans, and cavorting chipmunks, drooping willow and lofty cypress, cleverly hidden drinking fountains, shaded picnic tables, inviting seats, the flash of canoe paddles, languid shadows spiraling downward.
HOME OF THE FOURSQUARE GOSPEL—Glimpsed through the trees and rising above the high cypress, cornice and arch, parapet and dome, cupola and spires. Creamy white walls, crystal-clear doors, and silver radio tower gleam quietly opalescent.
The graceful flowing lines and softly moulded curves of the imposing group of buildings that rise, story on story above the park, make them eminently fitted to the almost heavenly loveliness of the entire surroundings.
Temple, Bible School and Administration Building, triune factors in a Foursquare unit, call forth a gasp of admiration from the most casual passerby.
BEAUTIFUL ANGELUS TEMPLE
Adapting itself to the contour of the curving lot and shaped like a great megaphone, Angelus Temple combines in its distinguishing architectural design, a commanding spaciousness and an exquisite simplicity which are accentuated by the eighteen lofty columns. Interspersing these columns are seventeen graceful arches, the base of each arch being a doorway set with full length panes of glass. Above each door and fitted into the arches are great windows, the resultant effect being that of solid beauty, along the pathway He trod to the Cross of Calvary and to the day of His Ascension.
Then, as though to consummate the poignant story in a glory of triumphant hope, there is etched across the great organ grill above and back of the speaker's platform, a superbly marvelous mural of the Coming of the Lord. Below this sits the immense choir in their comfortable loft and from it are suspended wine-colored hangings of velour which conceal the Baptismal font.
BAPTISTRY
On Thursday nights, at which time a weekly baptismal service is held year in and year out, these curtains are drawn aside, disclosing the realistically portrayed River Jordan. Into this font, in which warm water circulates, the little pastor steps.
From behind these velour curtains Sister McPherson steps as she enters her world famous pulpit. Attired in a simple white uniform, she seems to desire at once to become an inconspicuous part of the worshipping throng. Less conspicuous is she by far than the great flaming golden letters graven about the curtains "Jesus Christ the Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever."
PULPIT
The pulpit at which she stands would gladden any artist's eye with its beautifully carven lilies and emblems. In the scriptural verses, two in number, which are deeply graven in the wood of this pulpit, are inscribed the desire of Angelus Temple hearts. These words are "We would see Jesus," and "Not by might nor by power, But by My Spirit saith the Lord," and they make the pulpit a symbol of sacred and humble devotion.
From this pulpit the throngs hear the voice of the preacher ringing out the message of the Saviour, Baptizer, Healer and Coming King.
The entire auditorium is canopied by the rounded dome, of cloud-flecked azure, in replica of God's outdoor heavens. Rising one hundred feet above the auditorium, this is lighted by eight hundred concealed lights. The almost ethereal beauty of the lighting effect is further carried out by a number of opalescent lights.
The softly tinted concrete walls have a delicacy of color found only in the perfect iridescence of the interior of a sea shell, and rightly so, for desiring a wall of just such beauty, Sister McPherson went to the beach and chose a shell of rare shading. Bringing it back to the Temple she took it to the artist and with the shell in one hand and brush in the other, he copied with masterly precision the coloring of its exquisite coloring.
FIRST BALCONY
The first balcony not only adds to the seating capacity but further adds to the beauty and spirit of the building. To its left and right, ramparts lead in a gradual slope to the altar platform on the main floor. Outlining these ramparts and the intervening mezzanine are decorated balustrades. Carven in bold relief are festoons of bells—Angelus bells—for it was from the vibrant peals of Angelus bells and their prayer pervading suggestion, that Sister McPherson named this modern "Palace of Prayer."
There is also a second balcony and in its aisles and corridors, as on those of the main floor and first balcony, lie thick carpets, that the myriad footsteps may not disturb this reverent, peaceful atmosphere.
CORRIDOR OF THE ANGELS
The Corridor of the Angels is situated on the upper mezzanine to which a broad carpeted stairway leads from the foyer and here is the artistically arranged "home room" of the Temple. The loveliness of this softly carpeted, colorfully curtained foyer, with its palms and rarely beautiful lamps of alabaster is almost dream-like, especially if one chances to be drawn there in the twilight hour. Softly lighted, the restful beauty seems akin to the coloring in the heart of an opal, as it is caught in reflecting radiance by the great mirror that studs its walls. This mirror, consisting of sixty small mirrors is in itself a work of art. Its arched windows are each guarded by a beautiful angel, giving this room its name, The Corridor of the Angels.
It is in these lovely surroundings that members sign the church register of a nation—books so large that the number of names they must contain is almost incalculable. It is in these books that the thousands upon thousands of loyal Angelus Temple members inscribe their names each month.
It is at a desk in this corridor, that the feet of nations have paused—where the world has tarried a moment to rest and meditate in this quieting, heartening atmosphere. On this desk is the register to which these multitudes have turned and have added their names to the many therein inscribed.
From this center of hospitality one enters the 500 room, known throughout the realm of Christiandom as the modern Pool of Bethesda.
THIRD FLOOR
On the third floor is located the world-famous Watch Tower, that unique home of prayer, within whose walls women pray all day and men pray all night.
On this floor is located the Brotherhood Room, a room for choir rehearsals and the room where the consecrated usher body meet and pray before taking up their duties. The boy scouts have their headquarters on this interesting floor and the 120 room is here located.
GRAY STUDIO
The Gray Studio, the home of KFSG, is a beautifully appointed apartment, modernly equipped to give to the world, in the very best manner, this Foursquare Gospel message. Less conspicuous, but vitally important, is the Operator's room. Modern to the last minute is this station, it being the second in Los Angeles to install a Piezo electric crystal oscillator.
LOWER FOYER
Going back to the lower foyer, one seems held by a pervading, unexplainable something, the same magnetic appeal that makes multitudes pause to wonder. Beautiful is this foyer, with its palms, its bookstand and famous lighthouse. Through this lobby the world passes with pattering footsteps. Here the well poised, kindly ushers stand to hold the doors against an eager multitude—stand reluctantly because the auditorium is already full and the mezzanines are crowded.
Off this foyer is the main office. Here are the information desk and switchboard. What a medley of human desires comes in over that switchboard! Unusual requests, unreasonable—pathetic—urgent—laughable—but all are courteously answered.
Adjoining the main office is the Council Chamber. Here it is that Sister McPherson meets her council and cabinets, thus keeping in touch with the administrative departments of this carefully conducted and rapidly growing institution. A massive table of elegantly carved walnut is in the center of the room and surrounding it are the council's chairs, one for Sister McPherson at the head, and one representing each of the council.
Adjoining the Council Chamber is the employment agency through which so many unfortunate people have found employment and have been started on better paths. Passing through a small hall one enters the Book Room, that artistically arranged shop on whose shelves and tables is collected a wonderful assortment of the world's religious literature.
BIBLE SCHOOL BUILDING
Going on into the basement of the Bible School Building, one finds the splendidly equipped Commissary, which is supplied by the great-hearted people of Angelus Temple, and is the realization of a long cherished dream of the Pastor. Across its thresholds come and go a constant throng in need of aid.
Many churches and institutions maintain similar departments, but this liberal hearted church administers a breadth of helpfulness that is undoubtedly unparalled. Food, garments, bedding and all useful articles are brought to the Temple, deposited in the life-boat in the lobby and wheeled into the Commissary. The garments are renovated and if necessary are remodeled. Nothing is cast aside.
In a well equipped room adjoining the ones occupied by the Commissary Department, the circulation department is located. Here publications are mailed to subscribers.
Spacious quarters for the several Angelus Temple bands are also provided in the basement and there is also a room called the "Construction Room," which is undoubtedly unique in church rooms. It is here that the necessary equipment for the illustrated sermons is assembled by the willing and capable hands of the "Construction Gang."
On the main floor of the Bible School is its main auditorium where the Children's Church is held on Saturday afternoons and speaker's system, which has been installed, it is possible for them to hear Sister McPherson's message, and it is her hope to some day find the means by which they can see as well as hear her.
As one investigates the wonderfully equipped building, floor by floor, there unfolds before the eyes the marvelous efficient manner in which the Bible School was planned and built. Each floor has a splendidly lighted auditorium which is flanked by offices. Sunday school rooms are provided for the 4,000 children who gather here on Sunday mornings to learn more of God's Word.
The third and fourth floors are given over to the Bible School with almost 1,000 students and to the executive offices of its unusually competent staff.
The Dean's office and the Pastor's study are on the fourth floor as are the publication offices, for Angelus Temple is peculiar in that is not only preaches the Word but sends its message forth on the printed page.
Even the roof is brought into use. Here the students go to exercise in glorious California sunshine.
Nestling between the two great buildings, as though tying the two together, and adding to their affection, is the Administration Building where the administrative affairs of the Foursquare Gospel work are capably carried out. Here are located the auditor, the bookkeepers and department managers.
The Home of the Foursquare Gospel! It is more than a church, more than a shrine, more than a sanctuary—this pearl of architecture which should enable them to reach every end and corner of the earth.
"And I, if I be lifted up—will draw all men unto me."