Los Angeles was founded on Sept. 4, 1781, by Mexican and Spanish settlers, making it one of the United States more recent urban centers. Like any other country conquered by Spain, catholicism was the first religion that settled in the city.

The earliest church in the City of Angels was a Catholic one, brought there by the Spanish conquerors of Central America. However, numerous other religious sects have settled in the area and constructed their own places of worship in the years afterward. 

Many of these ancient buildings are still standing today and serve as important spiritual centers for Angelenos.

You will gain spiritual enlightenment at one of these churches in Los Angeles, and the overall experience will be pretty pleasant. A trip to a church in such a stunning place is certain to leave an impression on the traveler. Here are the top 10 churches in Los Angeles that everyone should visit for a spiritual journey:

San Gabriel Mission

From the official website of San Gabriel Mission

On Sep. 8, 1771, San Gabriel Archangel was established. The distinctive Church of San Gabriel has a Moorish "fortress-like" design. 

As stated by California Missions, numerous antiquities and historic artifacts are on display at Mission San Gabriel, including a complete set of the Stations of the Cross painted by mission neophytes.

Since 1771, when it was founded, the San Gabriel Mission has been an integral component of the city's religious landscape, making it the oldest house of worship in all of Los Angeles County.

La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

The Old Plaza Church, which was dedicated in 1822, is the only structure in the Los Angeles Historic District that continues to house its original function. The church was officially known as La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles, but locals simply called it La Placita Church.

As Tripadvisor stated, the church's exterior is a plain cream color, yet it's been embellished with a stunning mural. The red entrance door with six wavy black vertical stripes is arched and decorated in a bright color scheme. There are also three bells hanging in the belfry.

The grotto in the cathedral housing a picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary is particularly noteworthy because of the lovely flower offerings that are placed there. 

First Congregational Chuch of Los Angeles

Photo taken from the official website of the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles

When it comes to Protestant congregations, the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles (established in 1867) has the longest history. Currently, the church meets in a 1932 Gothic-Revival style edifice that sits on 157,000 acres and is also home to the Shotto Chapel and the Seaver Building.

According to 10Best, large bronze doors depicting events from the life of Christ, designed by Canadian artist Albert Gilles, welcome worshipers into the 157-foot-tall cathedral-like church.

Featuring one of the world's largest pipe organs, the church's worship music extends beyond gospel to jazz, Americana, and modern genres.

St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral

From the official website of St. John’s Episcopal Church

Founded in 1890, St. John's Episcopal Cathedral's parish grew rapidly, necessitating the construction of a new cathedral in 1925. Pierpont and Walter Davis, two brothers, were inspired by Italian Neo-Romanesque architecture to create this colossal building.

Among the numerous attractive features of this magnificent cathedral include high ceilings, a giant rose stained glass window, a massive organ, and an altar crafted from Italian marble. A memorial stained-glass window to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was added in 1977.

Hollywood United Methodist Church

Image from Hollywood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles

In close proximity to Hollywood, California, is where you'll find the Hollywood United Methodist Church. The building is notable for its English gothic style architecture, which, along with the appearance of an HIV/AIDS ribbon on the bell tower, contributes to the building's popularity.

Travel Triangle blog said that the location has also served as the backdrop for a number of films. Because it is made of concrete that is framed with steel, the construction of the building can withstand earthquakes.

Immanuel Presbyterian Church

Photo taken from the website of Immanuel Presbyterian Church

Los Angeles' Immanuel Presbyterian Church was built in 1929. Designed by architect Chauncey Fitch Skilling in the French Gothic Revival style, complete with stained glass rose windows in the style of Notre Dame Cathedral. As an added bonus, it has a tower that soars more than 200 feet into the air, as the 10Best shared.

Services are held in both English and Spanish and are held in a beautiful sanctuary with oak interiors and big chandeliers.

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Los Angeles from Wikimedia Commons

Located in the heart of South Los Angeles, the Roman Catholic St. Vincent de Paul Church is also a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. Back in the 1920s, famous architect Albert C. Martin, Sr. oversaw the construction of this beautiful church.

The remarkable exterior is finished off with a large belfry that climbs upwards towards the heavens and features fine stonework in the facade. When one enters the building, they are greeted by a majestic high altar. A focal representation of the crucifixion is surrounded by ornate gilded decoration on this piece.

Wayfarers Chapel

Photo from Dmitry Kotov on Unsplash

The Swedenborgian congregation of Wayfarers Chapel calls Rancho Palos Verdes, California home. This stunning location is perfect for wedding ceremonies with up to one hundred guests, thanks to the building's remarkable and historic architecture.

The Weddingwire shared that the chapel offers a natural, beachy or coastal, and woodsy ambiance ideal for a ceremony while still being conveniently located between Los Angeles, the Beach Cities, and Orange County.

West Angeles COGIC

West Angeles COGIC in Los Angeles from Wikipedia

The West Angeles Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is a leading example of future-oriented leadership and is widely regarded as one of the most influential churches in the United States.

According to its website, the West Angeles Cathedral, which serves as the church's primary house of worship, can be found in the historically significant African American ethnic enclave that is the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles, California.

St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church

Photo from the official Facebook Page

St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church was built by the Greek community in Los Angeles for almost 50 years. This 1952 cathedral, with its distinctive green dome, was inspired by the architecture of churches in the community's native Greece.

Beginning with a small group of regulars in 1906, the congregation has grown to include such notable Greek Americans as Telly Savalas and George Chakiris. 

The interior of the church is just as grand, with gigantic chandeliers, lofty arches along the nave, and a beautiful altarpiece and fresco painted on the ceiling.