Interested in Pasadena architecture?

Day 238 of 365 Things To Do in Pasadena invites you to attend the tour of  Pasadena’s St. Andrews Church.

The parish of St. Andrew was founded in the late 1880s which makes it the oldest Catholic parish in Pasadena and one of the oldest in Los Angeles County. The church was built in its current location between 1926-1928, St. Andrews is regarded as one of the most beautiful and important churches in Southern California.

The outer most visible trademark, the Romanesque Bell Tower, is considered a Pasadena landmark.

Before the construction of the church began, its architect Robert Montgomery and pastor Monsignor John McCarthy, traveled to Italy together to find architectural inspiration. They were both delighted by the beauty of the St. Sabina’s a basilica in Rome and that became their principle foundation for the design of the the church.

Having both the architect and pastor of the church collaborate on the design and intricacies generated a structure of meaning.  We  can only hope that it will continue to be a long standing staple of beauty and true art in our city.

St. Andrews Architectural Tour will be held Saturday, January 8th at 3:00 pm in English & Sunday, January 9th at 3:00 in Spanish.

The interior of the church features gorgeous columns, a variety of different marbles and Scagliola – a technique of faux marble, an ornate altar, and the most beautiful murals in the city. Famed Italian artist Carlo Wostry was commissioned to paint the art for the church. It took him 8 years to complete the murals and other art within the church and he considers his work at St. Andrews to be the “Crowning Work” of his artistic life.

There is no cost for the tour, but tickets are required please call 626.792-4183 for advance reservations.

Fun Fact: The  first Pasadena Catholic Church was built on the corner of  Pasadena Avenue and Bellefontaine.  Before the Pasadena parish was established, mass was attended in the parish in Downtown Los Angeles or at the San Gabriel Mission.

I’ve had the pleasure of attending a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at St. Andrews and it is one of the most beautiful churches I’ve visited.

We hope you are able to attend and enjoy the beauty.

Location:

St. Andrews Church
311 N. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, 91103
(626) 792-4183

Visit 365 Things To Do In Pasadena®  for more fun activities in Pasadena California and surrounding neighborhoods.