Crews Race to Deconstruct Historic Chapel Threatened by Land Movement

Heavy rainfall and unprecedented land movement in Ranchos Palos Verdes have marked an end to this chapter of the iconic Wayfarers Chapel, a popular wedding venue known for its glass walls, with immediate plans to deconstruct it before its expected collapse. The chapel was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in December but was closed indefinitely just two months later on Feb. 15, over “accelerated” land movement, chapel leaders said at the time. Plans to deconstruct and preserve the chapel were announced during a May 13 press conference on chapel grounds including chapel leaders, city officials, architects, and parishioners. “We’re just all devastated by our new reality. But the phrase I’ve been using is that we’re going to rise like a phoenix from the ashes…. We are committed to rebuilding and doing whatever is required of us to recreate what we have here,” chapel Executive Director Dan Burchett told The Epoch Times at the press conference....