Saint Basil's is an architectural wonder. Designed in the "brutalist" style sometime in the 1960's it is simultaneously ethereal and solemn. The random colored light coming through the modernist stain glass windows is hauntingly beautiful. I did not appreciate it when I first visited, but every time I go to mass here I find it more and more beautiful. Mass here is solemn and traditional, always accompanied by organ music (at least every time I have been). Many prayers and songs are in Latin, which I personally love. It's a strange juxtaposition between the very contemporary design of the church and the very traditional mass. But if you like a traditional mass this is a good option. Also, there is Sunday mass at 5 pm! (Something of a rarity here in Los Angeles.) The only reason I gave the church 4 stars instead of 5 is that the massive ceilings echo. The acoustics are lovely for the organ music as it resonates like a gothic cathedral, but it's not easy to understand the homily or the readings(though of course you can read along with those). It wouldn't be Los Angeles if I didn't mention the parking. There is a large lot next to the church. The sign say $6 all day, but parking during mass is free. read more

Saint Basil Catholic Church - The altar at the front of the church - Churches Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Go here if you despise the most unfortunate such as the unhoused population, love to hear every word follow with an echo, and listen to a choir-less mass in the most soul-sucking environment. I attended for the first time in years on Sunday, July 28th, 2024 for afternoon mass, but I had to stand up and walk out halfway through because of my extreme shock and disappointment with their cruelty, among the terrible sound system and unwelcoming environment. The priest spent way too much time talking about a disciple almost getting laid while angrily stating that his own celibacy is truly a gift that he gave to serve people like us. Right after, he spoke horribly of a homeless man that comes every month or so and claimed that he befriended that man due to his frequency. The priest said he saw the man visit that morning's mass (which, according to the priest, had only 6 people in attendance) with his pants half down and told the homeless man that he "knew what the man was up to" and will make a mess. The priest held a $10 bill between his index and middle fingers (even specifically holding up his hand to redo the motion and show us all attending mass how exactly he held the bill) and waived it in front of the homeless man's face, motioning for the man to follow him out the door. The priest said he would give that $10 bill to him if the homeless man agrees to never come back. That was all to the priest's stories. Immediately after the homily, ushers came out to collect donations. The audacity to follow that story with collections. I felt shocked and angry. What cruelty to a man that has no where else to relieve himself and is already shamed and excluded from society. You would think that the church would be happy to extend grace and help the needy, and at least have the decency to offer the man the restroom. What good are the donations if that money is dictated by this poor-hating parish in which funds and generosity exclude the most unfortunate? Do their mission, welfare programs, and community initiatives exclude the poor? Staying any longer in that space would be a betrayal to my morals. Their claims to holiness are hollow and disingenuous. The only point of the homily was to show the priest's cruelty to those in need, and how angry and high up he is on his horse. How can he call himself holy if he treats the most unfortunate like that? But perhaps this is a given because I just found out that St. Basil closes their doors when mass is not in session during the day, perhaps preventing the homeless and the poor from seeking shelter in the church's open, safe, and ventilated space, while also locking out those, who may very well also be homeless, looking where to practice their faith outside service hours. Furthermore, the doors on the sidewalk entrance are still locked and CHAINED with a padlock, only accessible through the parking entrance, which I found out shortly before I entered the church. St. Basil is dwindling in numbers, its sound system poor, and its leadership cruel. The parking lot was not even half full for the afternoon mass that I attended, and, according to the priest, only 6 people showed up for that morning's mass. You may say that attendance of churches across the board has been declining, which is true, but the other churches I have attended were more full, kind, and welcoming than this one. You might even say that the unhoused population are "dangerous" and "encroach in spaces" but that is far from the truth and cruel. They are already looked down and pushed away from society--from empty public spaces to schools and even the house of God. I will never be coming back here, and I urge everyone not to, as well. The inside of the church is dusty, dry, and dirty, and the bathroom is unkept and reeks. The filth inside this church, although blamed on outsiders, is actually coming from inside the house. Please reflect on yourselves. read more

Beautiful church with inspirational architecture, including the fabulous Stainglass windows and doors by renowned artist Claire Falkenstein.

Yelp 100 Challenge * 34/100 It's one thing to visit churches during trips, but another to be a part of its service. My parents and I initially planned to attend mass at the Cathedral but didn't make it in time. St. Basil had a 12:10pm mass, which, for the most part, I had quite a hard time following because of the acoustics and the way the church was built. Upward facing speakers and high ceilings made for a bellowing echo. I couldn't make out a single word from the first reading and if it weren't for Father Frank singing some of his prayers, I wouldn't otherwise know what he was saying. This church reminded me a lot of St. Anne Catholic Church in Vegas. Design-wise, I delighted in the colorful glass decor that lined the front of the church and the strips of them on the side walls. Solemn sanctuary for reflection when there's no mass and a nice way to recharge the spirit. read more

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Mass started 15 minutes late today without any explanation. The doors are always being repaired. the parking lot is nice, though. read more

I would like to no could you guys to say prays for my Niece and her husband they have covid.could it be said at mass Kimberly and Chris I would appreciate it my number is 323-830-4166 Joann Leon God bless. Do they have mass on Saturday. read more

Beautiful church! I find it so refreshing to find such a solemn place to find peace and quiet in the middle of a large city such as Los Angeles. read more

This is a beautiful church I was able to visit in LA. Holds a lot of personal sentiment to me that I won't get into. Visit if you're around the area, lots of parking and peace. read more

Parking = $6 = woooooooooooooooooooow. I'd bring this down to like 2, but it is a church. I just don't ever remember them having parking issues. Next time we'll just walk from work. Lighting is substantially different then it used to be (as in, I would get creeped out over the darkness and beg my mom to not go. But after going for Ash Wed with the office, I was pleasantly surprised. It really seems even bigger with the brighter lighting they have. Couldn't understand the priest, but my coworker who's a parishioner here says that he doesn't always conduct the mass, so I really can't say how normal masses go. Just be careful with street parking - the parking guys circle around like a hawk. read more

I have been going to this church for years when my parent used to take me here for Sunday mass when Max's Chicken used to be across the street. They have really kept this place in great shape. I like the fact that there is always parking here during mass. read more

Can't not love beautiful churches like these. Organ isn't too bad either!! Thanks David for letting me have a go!! read more

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I go there because I want to visit the house of God and f have a moment of peace and not to complain about the acoustics or architecture of the place. I apologize if I offended anyone but sadly some of you care more about the materialistic part when it comes to churches. read more

Nice church to attend for Sundays. Although I prefer that they don't use the annoying and loud organs to play their gospel music. This church is spacious and clean. Plenty of parking available. I would go here again. read more

Parking is free if you go to the church only, if you park there and decide later on to go somewhere else than you will have to pay the $6 fee. I read on the earlier reviews regarding about the address being wrong but the address is correct, the GPS should lead you to Wilshire and Kingsley which is where the entrance is. Also there is no church store so I don't know where she saw that from, maybe she got confused and went to the Church Rectory which is an office and not a store but that is located further down Kingsley towards 6th St. Just wanted to give more accurate information to people who got mixed reviews. read more

The audio coverage on this church is getting better, I go here most of the time since there's always ample parking. They have more hours for mass too. It's a little cold in the winter since they keep the doors open and there might not be any heater. read more

I love Saint Basil Church. Its very beautiful and peaceful. It's huge, and the architecture is amazing. I've been going to this church since I was a toddler. I especially enjoy the Novena prayers every Wednesday evening. I love all churches, especially this church. read more

Beautiful church, I give It 3 stars because they charge 6$ to park but its beautiful

Ahhh the Catholic school memories of no school on Holy Days and going to 12pm Mass at St. Basil's. Then lunch at Max's across the street. Nowadays the organ can be loud but it's still one of the best since most churches now use the piano, not a fan although I play. But when you think of Church you think organ music. Music can be old fashioned nowadays with the old school cantress. Miss the days of genuflecting all the way down to both knees. The older parishioners do it. Mother said that's how it was when the Church was newly built. I will still do it only at St. Basil's. Not seen at other churches. It's a modern church with serenity of yesteryear. Do not forget your Christmas picture taking at the outdoor Nativity Scene although it is chained down nowadays. read more