2025
Los Angeles, California
Saint Paul the Apostle Church
OVERVIEW
The renewal of Saint Paul the Apostle Church restored and re-energized a landmark Mid-Century Modern sanctuary for a vibrant Catholic community. Through carefully coordinated interior improvements, Pica + Sullivan Architects helped preserve the church’s architectural character while strengthening its lighting, finishes, acoustics, and liturgical presence for future generations.
CLIENT
Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Community sought to reopen its landmark church through a long-overdue renovation supported by the Los Angeles Archdiocese-wide Called to Renew Campaign. The project reflected a broader commitment to preserving churches and schools while continuing to serve parish life, worship, and community gathering.
PROJECT SCOPE
Size: 15,000 SF church sanctuary with 800 pew seats within the nave and choir loft
Reopening Date: 2025
Original Design: 1956 completed in 1958
DESIGN APPRROACH
The renovation set out to renew the church while protecting the character of its Mid-Century Modern architecture and religious art. The work focused on restoring finishes, improving lighting and audio-visual systems, enhancing visibility of liturgical art, conserving original fixtures, and supporting the parish’s long-term use of the sanctuary.
"Our goal was not to reinvent this landmark, but to reveal it again preserving its Mid-Century Modern character while allowing its sacred art, materials, and architecture to speak with renewed clarity."
"The renewed sanctuary feels both familiar and transformed. It supports the life of the parish today while ensuring that this beloved church can continue to serve its community for generations."
KEY INTERVENTIONS
The renewal included refinishing the ceiling, cleaning and polishing interior stone, repainting, repairing and refinishing 1,200 linear feet of pews, and reinstalling the pews and kneelers at a slight inward angle to strengthen the nave’s sense of focus. New center aisle flooring mirrors the geometric design of the pew end panels, while lighting repairs, replacements, and a new dimmer control system introduced flexible illumination for worship, art, and gathering.
CRAFT & ART
Saint Paul the Apostle Church is defined by an extraordinary collection of architectural and sacred art, including a soaring fluted bell tower, delicate arcade arches, a stately façade, extensive mosaic work, decorative stained glass, and a bronze exterior figure of the Apostle Paul by sculptor Stephen Zakian. Inside, the renewal accentuated the altar mosaic, Stations of the Cross bas-reliefs, artwork, and decorative brass and bronze chandeliers, preserving the sanctuary’s layered sense of scale, craft, and devotion.
"Every decision, from the restored pews and chandeliers to the new lighting, was made to deepen the experience of worship while honoring the beauty and craftsmanship already present."
OUTCOME
The completed renovation allowed the parish to reopen a renewed sanctuary that honors the church’s original design while making its architectural and liturgical features more visible, functional, and enduring. The project demonstrates how thoughtful renovation can preserve sacred heritage, improve the worship environment, and support a community’s continued life within a beloved landmark.
PROJECT TEAM
Architect: Pica+Sullivan Architects
Acoustical: Chu & Dohn Associates
Church Lighting Specialist: Williams Design
Audio-Visual Specialist: Studio Spectrum
General Contractor: Vancrest Construction
Project Manager: Mayora Hiney, St. Paul Business Manager
Photography: Randall Michelson Photography
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Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323 653 7124
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