Inside a Modernist Beacon in Koreatown

For many passersby, the Founder’s Church of Religious Science is known as “that big white building.” Situated on a busy corner in LA’s Koreatown, its towering domed roof and cutout concrete walls sit in stark contrast to the surrounding apartment blocks and shopping plazas.

But few people know the story behind the structure, one of a handful of churches designed by Black architect Paul R. Williams. For one, it was dedicated in 1960 as a symbol of the wholeness and unity at the heart of the religion’s beliefs. The elliptical layout embodies this philosophy and aims to enhance feelings of inclusion for all, whether they are members of the faith or not.

“We are a beacon in the neighborhood,” says Lauren Grant, executive director of the church’s nonprofit division. “The building is an exemplary piece of Williams’s work, and it speaks to some of the work we’re doing today.”

That effort includes preserving the Modernist building for future generations. The site has already been designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (2002) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (2020). Now, Grant and her team are developing an accessibility plan that will enable more efficient use of the landmark and open up new possibilities for welcoming the larger community through its doors. That plan is coming to fruition through the support of Getty’s Conserving Black Modernism initiative in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.

“We appreciate the history of the building but want it to be effective for the needs of today,” Grant says. “The project is going to have a huge impact on how we can better serve our community, especially the younger generation who will one day be stewards of the building.”

Founder’s Church is one of 21 Black Modernist sites that have received support for conservation planning strategies, training, and storytelling through Conserving Black Modernism since 2022.

A Modernist symbol

The vision for the building’s design can be traced back to the religion’s founder, Ernest Holmes, who believed symbols in architecture and art were tools to connect believers back to their faith. Holmes knew he wanted a round building to reflect his message of inclusivity. He also knew he wanted Williams to design it.

By that time, Williams had already established his reputation as an architect to the stars, having designed homes for the likes of Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz and Frank Sinatra in addition to civic buildings around Los Angeles. Williams and Holmes were also good friends, and Williams even attended services and lectures at the church.

“Williams was the natural choice to design the building,” says administrator Pat Gentry, who has researched the church’s records over her decades-long tenure to share more of its history with the public. The archives include original blueprints and photographs documenting Williams and Holmes’s collaborative process. One of her favorite discoveries is an image of the pair standing next to each other while looking at a drawing of the building. This was a notable act during segregation, when Williams learned how to sketch upside down so he could sit across from white clients, rather than next to them. “The picture tells a huge story. Those two men made a statement by undertaking this work together in the way that they did.”

In addition to its rounded form, the design features an abundance of light across its perforated concrete exterior wall, stained glass in the chapel, and floor-to-ceiling windows lining the foyer. Greenery at the church’s entrance and in a small meditative garden beside the minister’s office provides a visual and mental pause from the site’s otherwise streamlined plan.

A grand sanctuary houses a pulpit, a choir loft, seating for nearly 1,500 people, and the largest Wurlitzer theater organ of any church in the world. A mural titled The Wisdom of the Ages is the centerpiece, depicting symbols collected by Holmes in black light–sensitive paint to mimic the soft glow of stained glass when illuminated.

The space still sparks a strong feeling for minister emeritus Arthur Chang, who retired in 2025 after 32 years of service. For Rev. Dr. Chang, who has a background in architecture and happens to live in a home designed by Williams, the sanctuary is emblematic of Williams’s work.

“One of the beautiful things about the space is the curves,” he says, pointing out the soft arc of the upper balcony and the rounded ceiling, which evokes a sense of sitting under the sky, especially as the lights dim for a service. “It has that impact. Williams integrated curves in a way that feels inclusive, and that feeling reflects the spiritual tones that one should have here.”

The future of Founder’s Church

The Founder’s Church team is quick to recognize the need to adapt the building to meet the concerns of the ever-evolving communities around it. One way they plan to do this is by implementing smart technology throughout the structure to expand the kinds of services that can be offered. With the help of younger members, they’ve set up a podcasting room and are working on a recording studio.

“We want people to be able to come and enjoy the architecture but also have the experience of today’s modern amenities,” Grant says. “The way people celebrate their spirituality is changing, so we’re looking to create an experience that brings them into the building and keeps them coming back.”

The accessibility plan will also ensure the building is ADA compliant, making the space more welcoming and approachable for everyone. Energy efficiency is another priority as well as repurposing existing spaces that are underutilized. The team currently rents out the sanctuary, chapel, dining hall, and an office lounge for community events, but they have more to offer. Grant says the project has pushed the team to consider the building’s broader potential, from day-to-day church needs to serving as a community center. After the planning phase, the committee will hold an open forum where church members and the public can view the renderings and provide feedback.

Rev. Dan Wentzel, who assumed the position of senior minister last year, agrees that serving the community beyond its members is crucial to the building’s longevity and the congregation’s overall practice.

“This building is not only about our past but also the future and where we’re going,” Wentzel says. “My biggest hope is that we keep the site solid and functional so more people can experience it, and that the grant allows us to do the work faster, more efficiently, and with the freedom to dream bigger about the church’s future.”