“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

~ John 6:35

Rev. David Brown a Minister at Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA known also as a popular wedding venue and often referred to as the Tree Chapel and the Glass Church designed by Lloyd Wright

Reverend

Dr. David C. Brown

Rev. Dr. Brown is the Lead Chapel Minister and has been serving the Wayfarer since his ordination in 2006. In 2004, Rev. Brown received the Master of Divinity degree from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. Reverend Doctor David Brown successfully defended his Doctor of Ministry Thesis on Holy Thursday, April 14th, 2022. Coming soon there will be a book released based upon the work of his thesis titled, Kairos & Attention Epistemology: Socioeconomics, Neuroscience, and Spirituality. Rev. Dr. Brown is an Ordained Minister of the Swedenborgian Church of North America.

Office Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 8:40am – 2:40pm.

Reverend

Dan Burchett

Rev. Dan has been serving Wayfarers Chapel in the capacity of Rites and Sacraments since 2000. In January of 2018, he joined the Leadership team and assumed the Director of Finance Administration position. On May 1 of 2021, Rev. Dan became the Executive Director of Wayfarers Chapel. His ministry career beginning in 1980 and has included Senior Minister and Administrative duties. During his ministry, he served as a hospice chaplain for four years. Rev. Dan received his education at Global University, Springfield, MO (1981), Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, CA (1998) and the Center for Swedenborgian Studies at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA (2019). Rev. Dan was inducted as an ordained Swedenborgian Minister in 2019.

Rev. Dan Burchett a Minister at Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA known also as a popular wedding venue and often referred to as the Tree Chapel and the Glass Church designed by Lloyd Wright
Altar of Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA known also as a popular wedding venue and often referred to as the Tree Chapel and the Glass Church designed by Lloyd Wright

Rites and Sacraments Ministers

We have a wonderful team of Rites and Sacraments Ministers who officiate weddings, perform baptisms, and lead memorial services at the Chapel. Our Chapel Ministers officiate at all services and sign all documents. Chapel Ministers are scheduled for services based on availability.

Lead Chapel Ministers Throughout History

The Chapel has had many wonderful lead Ministers to guide the worship of the Chapel and carry out its mission since even before the structure was completed in May of 1951.

1951 – Rev. Andre Diaconoff

1952-1962 – Rev. Kenneth W. Knox (The Chapel’s first full-time minister)

1956-1957 – Rev. Franklin H. Blackmer

1963-1971 – Rev. Robert L. Young

1972-1994 – Rev. Harvey A. Tafel

1975-1984 – Rev. Ernest O. Martin

1984-1989 – Rev. Jaikoo Lee

1984-1985 – Rev. Susan Turley

1989-1997 – Rev. Carl Yenetchi

1995-2001 – Rev. Theodore LeVan

1997-2004 – Rev. Marlene Laughlin

1998-2012 – Rev. Harvey A. Tafel

2003-2012 – Rev. Dr. Jonathan Mitchell

Photos of Lead Chapel Ministers of Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA known also as the Tree Chapel and the Glass Church