St. Paul's First Lutheran in the NoHo

Original Altar - Saint Paul's Lutheran Church in North Hollywood - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2008
This beautiful white altar is now on the right side of Saint Paul's First Lutheran Church.
The actual altar is the table at the center of the photograph. The mensa or table represents the table at which Jesus sat during his Last Supper (His last Seder meal with his apostles). The altar linens are in origin, the table cloth and napkins associated with the Passover Dinner held on the Thursday before Good Friday, when Jesus was killed.
The higher part of the structure was a western European reversal of the icon screen that would have blocked the altar table from the view of early congregations. On the backdrop are symbols common to all branches of Apostolic Christianity. Just above the altar table is a structure called in ancient times, the Ark. Lutherans have moved the scriptures on to the center of the table, symbolizing a key element in their Reformation, the printing of the Bible in the language of the people.
In front of the altar are two candle holders that represent the fulfillment of the laws of the ancient Hebrews in the teachings of Jesus.

SAINT PAUL'S FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH IN THE NOHO

The first Lutheran community in North Hollywood was begun in 1929, with the building of "the little white church", now memorialized in stained glass

A second white church served the Lutheran community in North Hollywood until the present sanctuary was dedicated in 1954, when it began service as a Christian school.

Modern St. Paul's in the NoHo Historic District is an important part of the NoHo Historic District.

St. Paul's First Lutheran in the NoHo Transfiguration Window

St. Paul's Lutheran Church - NoHo Historic District - 2008 - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Photo by Gerald Fecht

For years I been walking by the handsome St. Paul's First Lutheran Church in the NoHo Historic District, and looking at the stained glass windows from the outside. Today, at the invitation of Joyce Rizzo, the Church's secretary, my colleagues Gary Fredburg, Shel Weisbach and I got to see some of the San Fernando Valley's most important ecclesiastic art - inside. Being inside of the darkened sanctuary must be like being inside of a ruby tiara.
This spectacular triptych window of the Transfiguration of Jesus is simply awesome! With the bright afternoon sun behind, the window makes the story of Jesus being lifted up before his apostles, and greeted by the prophets Moses and Elijah come alive.

Walk the NoHo Historic District, and fall in love with the San Fernando Valley all over again.

Saint Paul's First Lutheran Church is located in the heart of the NoHo Historic District
5244 Tujunga Avenue
North Hollywood, CA 91601
tel: (818) 761-1846