Wayfarers Chapel Celebrates 75 Years
and a New Vision for the Future
and a New Vision for the Future
May 13, 2026
On Mother’s Day, May 13, 1951, the doors of Wayfarers Chapel first opened to the world, welcoming travelers, worshippers, seekers, and dreamers into a sacred space unlike any other. Conceived through the vision and generosity of Narcissa Cox Vanderlip and brought to life by famed architect Lloyd Wright, the glass sanctuary became an enduring symbol of spiritual openness, architectural beauty, and harmony with nature.
Seventy-five years later, on May 13, 2026, more than 150 invited guests gathered once again, this time on the lawn of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Civic Center overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean to celebrate the Chapel’s remarkable legacy and its much anticipated future.
The anniversary celebration, aptly titled “Be a Part of History in the Making,” commemorated not only the Chapel’s historic opening day, but also the unveiling of a bold and expanded vision for its prospective new home at Battery Barnes.
Guests enjoyed wine and signature appetizers curated by South Bay Food Company while listening to reflections and presentations from Wayfarers Chapel Administrative Director Robert Carr, Reverend David Brown, Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Paul Seo, Peninsula military historian Jim Shneer, and architectural preservationist Katie Horak of Architectural Resources Group. Evan Marshall played melodic folk music on the mandolin that serenaded attendees. On display was a gorgeous 6 foot tall, wood-framed Wayfarers Chapel rendition lovingly designed and built by local resident, Stacy Stoler. Guests enjoyed taking nostalgic photos with the Chapel prop and appreciated the charm and reverence it brought to the celebration.
Together, speakers painted an inspiring picture of the Chapel’s next chapter, one that honors its spiritual and architectural roots while expanding its educational, cultural, and community impact for future generations.
Adding to the significance of the evening, a representative from the Office of State Senator’s Ben Allen’s office presented Wayfarers Chapel with a commemorative scroll recognizing the Chapel’s 75th anniversary and enduring importance despite the devastating Portuguese Bend landslide that forced its closure and careful dismantling.
The office of Janice Hahn likewise honored the Chapel with a commemorative scroll celebrating its cultural and spiritual contributions to Los Angeles County and the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
“Today we celebrate not only the extraordinary history of Wayfarers Chapel, but the vision and generosity that created a sanctuary open to all people,” said Robert Carr, Administrative Director of Wayfarers Chapel. “Seventy-five years later, that vision continues to inspire us as we work to secure the Chapel’s future for generations to come.”
Perhaps most moving was the attendance of descendants of the Chapel’s founding family, brother and sister Kelvin and Narcissa Vanderlip, whose grandmother, Narcissa Cox Vanderlip, famously donated the original 3.6-acre site that became the foundation of this National Historic Landmark. The Vanderlip’s were presented with a commemorative scroll from Supervisor Hahn’s office recognizing their family’s visionary contribution seventy-five years ago, a gift that ignited an extraordinary exchange of ideas, faith, architecture, and community that continues to resonate around the world today.
As the afternoon unfolded, docents guided guests down to the prospective new Chapel site at Battery Barnes, where breathtaking panoramic ocean views stretched across nearly 240 degrees of coastline. Visitors explored the expansive grounds and learned about the site’s fascinating military history, including its approximately 5,000-square-foot underground World War II bunker.
Equally important, attendees could read about the site’s geological stability and its extraordinary potential to become a permanent home for the rebuilt Chapel campus. The proposed vision includes not only the reconstructed Chapel itself, but also educational and cultural components designed to deepen the community’s connection to architecture, nature, history, and spirituality.
Congressman Ted Lieu continues to work diligently to help expedite the divestiture of the property from the U.S. Coast Guard to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes so the site may ultimately serve as the future home of Wayfarers Chapel.
Though the original Chapel structure may currently rest in carefully preserved pieces, its spirit remains profoundly alive as was evident by the coming together of so many.
Seventy-five years after first opening its doors, Wayfarers Chapel continues to stand as a beacon of hope, resilience, beauty, and faith.
“While we honor the past, we are equally inspired by the future,” Carr said. “The spirit of Wayfarers Chapel endures, and its story is far from over.”
Help Rebuild the Wright Legacy
The journey to rebuild Wayfarers Chapel is one of preservation, hope, and community partnership. As plans continue to move forward for the new Chapel campus, we invite supporters near and far to become part of this historic effort.
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If you are interested in becoming a principal donor and would like to request a donor, naming rights package, please reach out to [email protected]
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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
