LA's iconic Wayfarers Chapel closes due to ‘accelerated land movement’

LOS ANGELES - The beautiful Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes shut down Thursday due to ‘accelerated land movement’. 

"Effective immediately, we are extremely devastated to announce the closure of Wayfarers Chapel and its surrounding property due to the accelerated land movement in our local area," the chapel wrote in a Facebook post. 

There's large visible cracks on the windows, on the floor, and in the foundation throughout the chapel. 

"We've been able to measure over five inches of movement in a 30-day period between the end of November and the end of December. It's forcing the water and soil underneath our property and we're seeing heaving, so that's what's casing breakage in the foundation of the chapel," said executive director Dan Burchett. 

It is unclear when the chapel will reopen. It will host its last wedding Sunday, Feb. 18.

The Instagramable glass chapel is a popular wedding venue in LA. Those with confirmed reservations will be issued refunds and will be contacted by the chapel's Weddings and Events Office, the church said.

Visitors are framed by the front door arch of the Wayfarers Chapel in Palos Verdes on November 30, 2022. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

People with reservations can inquire about their event by emailing events@wayfarerschapel.org.

The 100-seat, glass chapel opened in 1951 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2023. The famed Mid-century Modern structure with glass walls was designed by Lloyd Wright, the son of Frank Lloyd Wright.