Every family has its legends. Mine involves St. Brendan's, a hulking bit of Romanesque beauty…read moretucked into the heart of Los Angeles, all stone and stained glass, built in 1927 back when the neighborhood was still stretching out of its adolescence. The story goes like this: in 1982, the church initially balked at baptizing me--because I was born out of wedlock. Rules are rules, after all. But my grandfather, never one to be defeated by a little Catholic bureaucracy, brought two bottles of wine to the priest. Suddenly, the waters of salvation opened up. I was dunked, splashed, sanctified--whatever you want to call it--and the family got their sacrament. And here's the thing: decades later, they were kind enough to provide me a copy of my baptism certificate when the original was lost. No questions, no raised eyebrows. Just a helpful, human touch from a church that could have easily buried itself in dogma. The building itself? Gorgeous. A classic Romanesque Revival design, a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, with its vaulted ceilings and cool hush that makes you forget you're a few blocks from Wilshire. It's the kind of place that feels eternal, like a set piece in a noir film--you half expect to see Chandler's detective light a cigarette in the shadows. For me, St. Brendan's will always be part of the family story--equal parts holy ritual and a wink-and-a-nod deal brokered with bottles of red. Funny, flawed, and very human.

St. Brendan is a truly beautiful church--both in spirit and in structure. The building itself is a…read morestunning example of Gothic Revival architecture, with its stone façade and soaring interior lined with intricate Gothic details. One of the most breathtaking features is the wooden vaulted ceiling, designed to resemble the interior of a ship--an homage to St. Brendan the Navigator, the patron saint of sailors. It gives the sanctuary a warm, reverent atmosphere that feels both timeless and intimate. The parish community is vibrant and diverse, and Mass is always well attended. Sundays are especially full--each service draws a strong crowd, and the parking lots are often packed, a testament to the church's popularity. Fortunately, there are two lots flanking Wilton at 3rd Street and ample street parking on Wilton and Van Ness. Just be prepared to walk a little if you arrive close to start time. The current pastor, Fr. Brian Castaneda, is a deeply kind, warm, and holy presence. His homilies are consistently uplifting, grounded in Scripture, and delivered with genuine love. You can feel his faith, and it's contagious in the best way--encouraging and heartfelt without being heavy-handed. My only personal reservation is the music. While the choir is skilled and the performances are polished, the musical selections lean heavily toward contemporary Christian songs set to piano. Occasionally there's accompaniment from a violin or flute, but I do wish the church made more regular use of its organ and included traditional hymns more often--especially outside of the major holidays. That said, many parishioners enjoy the current music ministry, and it's clearly prepared with care and reverence. Sunday Mass times are: * 8:00 AM * 9:45 AM (Children's Mass) * 11:30 AM (High Mass with full choir) St. Brendan is my parish and I truly love being a part of this community. It's a church that honors its patron with beauty and purpose, and one where you can feel both the presence of God and the warmth of a faithful congregation.

Very nice church, I love the architecture, the decor, the ornate ceiling and most of all the…read moreambiance which make for a very solemn mass celebration. The Pew's are made of wood nothing extravagant, simple and very humbling, the altar is adorned in golden tiles, which I find very apropos for what they have. The lighting and natural light is very nice, very well suited for this neighborhood church. The design of the building is perfect as when the choirs sings their tune it permeates every nook and cranny of the building. "A nice place to pray, give thanks and meditate"

Now don't get me wrong- I do believe in God and use to go to this church year's ago. The problem is…read moreme and my brother when my mom could not make it feel terrible while sitting in the back pews and could not wait to get out of there. For years. Having the Devil Sculpture embedded in wall about 4-5 ft. Tall could of been the reason for our discomfort. Why it's there is my questio

Peace, joy and blessings for anyone in this most beautiful neighborhood. Spend sometime just for…read moreyourself!

28th Annual Los Angeles Lithuanian Fair was held on the grounds of St. Casimir Roman Catholic…read moreChurch in the Silverlake District. It is one of the few places in LA to be able to eat, hear, see traditional Lithuanian food, drink, music, folk dancing, national dress, objets d'art. This happens only for two days out of the year, and occurred on Saturday October 4th & Sunday, October 5th. Of all the languages in the Indo-European group of languages with includes such languages as German from which our own English language evolved, Latin which spun off Spanish, French, Italian, etc., Celtic (Irish, Scot Gaelic). Slavic languages (Russian, Czech, Polish, Bulgarian, etc.), Iranian, & Indian, Lithuanian may be the closest to the original Indo European language. The oldest attested Indo European languages are classical Greek and old Sanskrit of India. Many of the words still used in Lithuanian are still similar to those two old languages from 2,500 years ago & back showing that at least in terms of language progression, the Lithuanians are very conservative in retaining certain ancient aspects of their culture. So we spent a hot, Santa Ana influenced cloudless, cobalt blue sky Sunday afternoon, looking at the booths selling Lithuanian products and promoting Lithuanian American businesses. Going to the bar where there were at least 2 brands of Lithuanian beers as well as soft drinks. Hearing & seeing old school Lithuanian dancers in traditional costumes with folk music accompaniment. It's good to see that the young dancers in their teens & 20's take interest in connecting to their culture and carrying on its traditions. I had their Junkis beer which was more like a heavier, sweeter Lager and bought Desros which was a lightly seasoned, small, salty, porky sausage about the size a middle finger with casing that gave it a slight snap. Later, I paired the beer with Balandeliai Su Bulvem, which turned out to be stuffed cabbage leaf & boiled potato. The stuffing in the cabbage turned out to be herbed ground pork, & the watery sauce looked like mostly pureed tomato. I may have had a tastier Hungarian version at Sabina in Hollywood, but this stuffed cabbage was of a rarer variety being Lithuanian. Other things to eat at the Fair: Desra ir kopustai: Sausage & Sauerkraut Cepelinai su mesa: Potato dumpling with scattering of beef Kugelis: Potato pudding Bulvinai Blynai: potatoe latkes/pancake Koldunai su mesa: Dumplings w/ meat Saltibarsciai: cold beet soup I also went inside their not too large church that was more austere & reserved perhaps appealing more to a Baltic culture when compared to the more Italianate, Latinized style of Catholic church. However, there are the requisite stained glass windows, Virgin Mary, votive candles, Christ on the cross w/ a crown of thorns. "Saint Casimir Jagiellon (Polish: Kazimierz, Lithuanian: Kazimieras; October 3, 1458 - March 4, 1484) was a crown prince of the Kingdom of Poland and of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania who became a patron saint of Lithuania, Poland, and the young. His feast day, the Saint Casimir's Day, is marked annually with Kaziuko mugė (a trade fair) held on the Sunday nearest to March 4, the anniversary of his death, in Vilnius, capital of Lithuania." There was a good size crowd of Lithuanians & those interested in a bit of Lithuania in Los Angeles, the city of so many diverse ethnicities & cultures, all creating a bountiful blend that enriches us all. Long may the Lithuanian Festival prosper.

We recently visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, and I honestly don't…read morehave enough words to capture how beautiful this place is. From the moment we walked in, there was such a deep sense of peace and reverence. The architecture is absolutely breathtaking--soaring ceilings, stunning stained glass, incredible artwork, and details everywhere you look. I was especially moved by the historic pieces throughout the cathedral, including the beautiful chapel, mosaics, and preserved altar. Even the courtyard and surrounding grounds felt serene and thoughtfully designed. Beyond its beauty, what made this experience so special was the feeling inside the cathedral. Despite being such a grand space, it felt incredibly warm, welcoming, and sacred. Whether you visit for Mass, prayer, or simply to admire the architecture, this is truly a place that leaves a lasting impression. Such a wonderful and memorable experience. I would absolutely recommend visiting if you're ever in Los Angeles

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty…read more.. Only fitting that this review comes as Advent begins. So many ceremonies where do I begin? 5/5 Grounds Lots of space to walk right outside. The Cafe has tables to sit. There is a small area that has some kid games. A nice water fountain on the backside with olive trees. There is a gift shop right next to the Cafe. Bathrooms are located by the gift shop or on the lower level of the Cathedral near the back pews. 5/5 Ambiance Large seating areas with a chapel inside. There are relics inside as well on the sides. Been blessed to attend priest being ordained as well as a Chrism Mass. 3.75/5 Parking Large event days expect a long line. You can get parking validation when you are leaving Mass just see the information booth at the bottom of the stairs. So if you have a chance visit the Cathedral stay awhile to be still and enjoy the peaceful Ambiance. Psalm 46:11, God bless

St Columban was founded in 1945 to serve the Filipino community in what is today known as "Historic…read moreFilipinotown." At first, it was located in an old firehouse, but the present structure dates to the 1960's. It was the first Catholic Church in the US to be owned and operated by and for Filipinos. Another interesting fact is that the bell tower contains the original bell from the Philippines' national shrine in Antipolo City. Today, even though the neighborhood's ethnic composition has changed to a Hispanic majority, Columban's congregation is still mostly Filipino. The priest who serves the parish, Father John Brannigan, is a great shepherd to his flock. He always gives heartfelt homilies, complete with a cool Irish accent. It's also pretty cool that he used to serve in the Philippines and speaks Tagalog and Ilocano. It's also a tribute to the kind of priest he is that he always remembers me every time I show up for a random mass, even though I only go about 2 times a year! I'm from the Bay Area and every time I go to LA, I always have to go to mass here. It's like my home church for Southern California. I definitely recommend attending mass here, even if you don't live near. It's worth the drive! MASS TIMES: Sundays: 8:00, 10:00AM, 5:00PM Saturdays: 5:30PM Mon-Fri: 7:00PM (except Thurs) Perpetual Help novena during Wed mass

I feel kind of weird reviewing a church, but I really do love St. Columban's. I'm definitely one of…read morethe only non-Filipino people who goes here, but I have never felt unwelcome or like an outsider. I'm an especially big fan of the 5pm Mass on Sunday nights - it's an exceptionally convenient time, the ambiance is friendly (although sometimes a little hot), and the priests always do a great job of keeping our attention. They do sing two or three songs in Tagalog each Mass, but they usually put the words up on a screen so you can follow along if you you're not a native speaker!

I visited Gold Line Church one Sunday in July as a recent college grad looking for a church…read morecommunity in Los Angeles. The moment I stepped into the building, I could tell that there was something special about this place. Growing up Roman Catholic and later attending Pentecostal/Charismatic churches, Gold Line seems to be a place that creates space for both. This is seriously unlike any church I have ever attended before, in the best way possible. The people are great, and the leadership genuinely loves God and the congregation. I plan on making Gold Line my home church! Check it out one Sunday - you won't regret it!

Really great community of people seeking Jesus in a way that is ancient and new at the same time…read more If you've been wondering what Jesus and church is all about, come visit and stay for pastries afterwards.

ST MONICA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY @ SDSU…read more Parking is available for street, it can get extremely packed so i'd recommend coming 15-20 minutes beforehand. They have a coffee next door which is adorable as most catholics come after mass. Walking in, the people are SO KIND and very welcoming! It is such a beautiful place, with high ceilings, architectures, and lots of incredible designs on each of the windows. I loved the priest, the music, and the people. The one thing is that if you sit in the middle main rows, you will be going last, this church does eucharist for those upstairs and outside first, then the sides, from middle sections back to front, so be sure to be patient! Overall, i'd recommend coming here, it was a far drive since I'm from San Diego, but overall great if you live near or around the area!

The church is kept In impeccable condition, the street parking is just ample, but the Catholic Mass…read moreis on point, traditional Roman Catholic service with an amazing Catholic community to support it.

A wonderful Ukrainian church with a warm and welcoming community. The people here are very kind…read moreand friendly. I always feel welcome. Highly recommended!

Absolutely wonderful place, I highly recommend to visit there! Pastor is honest, understanding and…read morevery very nice person. He does all he can to help people, never ignored anyone, especially if people needs help. Really. And when we went there together with my mom, there always excellent dinner after all. That is not free meals but for the price you pay you get much more: excellent tasty food, great atmosphere and a joy to be in such positive place, also you'll always know that your money will be given to church that cares about people here in the US and in Ukraine too. They really help people. 5 starts is not enough - I wanna give at least 50 star rating to show my opinion! Blessed place. Awesome!