June 17, 2025

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA — June 17, 2025 — Wayfarers Chapel, the internationally celebrated glass sanctuary designed by the renowned architect Lloyd Wright, proudly announces plans for a prospective new home at the historic Battery Barnes site in Rancho Palos Verdes. This visionary project honors South Bay’s rich military history, preserves its coastal beauty, and ensures the continuation of Wayfarers Chapel’s legacy as a place of spiritual reflection, architectural distinction, and community gathering.

For over 70 years, Wayfarers Chapel has welcomed visitors from around the world to its coastal sanctuary. Listed as one of only 2,500 National Historic Landmarks in the United States, the Chapel is recognized not only for its groundbreaking organic architectural design but also for its unique location within a stunning natural setting. Following land movement issues at its original site, the Chapel’s Board of Directors has worked diligently to identify a prospective location that mirrors the original site’s natural splendor, views, and topography — and Battery Barnes emerged as a perfect fit.

Battery Barnes is a site of historical military significance, originally constructed in World War II as part of the coastal defense network protecting Los Angeles Harbor and the Pacific coastline. Perched along the bluffs with 4.5 acres and  270-degree unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and the iconic Point Vicente Lighthouse, the site’s dramatic setting provides a seamless connection to Wayfarers’ heritage of uniting architecture with nature.

“We are honored by the possibility of establishing a new campus — a place where history, natural beauty, and community spirit intersect,” said Robert Carr, Administrative Director for Wayfarers Chapel. “This location not only preserves the vision Lloyd Wright created decades ago, but also provides space for future generations to gather, reflect, and celebrate our shared history.”

The proposed campus plan includes a newly constructed chapel, a visitor center, museum, archival center, café, and a series of native and manicured gardens designed to invite residents and visitors alike to enjoy the outdoors. It will serve as both a spiritual and cultural destination, honoring the Peninsula’s history while providing educational resources and gathering spaces for the community. If Wayfarers is rebuilt on the Battery Barnes site, the original heritage site would transition into a public trailhead, connecting two major wildlife corridors on the north and south sides of the property — creating an important environmental asset and enhancing public access to coastal open space.

For media inquiries, project updates, or additional information, please contact:

Stephanie Cartozian, Communications Director

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (310) 847-9330
Website: www.wayfarerschapel.org

Further details, community engagement opportunities, and architectural renderings will be made available upon request.