L.A. Churches Made Famous on the Big Screen

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CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2The Two Pines Wedding Chapel from Kill Bill is the Sanctuary Adventist ChurchCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2The Two Pines Wedding Chapel from Kill Bill is the Sanctuary Adventist ChurchCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2The Two Pines Wedding Chapel from Kill Bill is the Sanctuary Adventist ChurchCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2The Two Pines Wedding Chapel from Kill Bill is the Sanctuary Adventist ChurchCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2The Two Pines Wedding Chapel from Kill Bill is the Sanctuary Adventist ChurchCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2The Two Pines Wedding Chapel from Kill Bill is the Sanctuary Adventist ChurchCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2a moment ago I was playing my flute. This moment I’m looking at the most beautiful bride these old eyes have ever seen. –From Kill Bill Vol. 2 by Quentin TarantinoCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2The porch at the Sanctuary Adventist Church was built specifically for Kill Bill.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Just before the Massacre at Two Pines in Kill Bill Vol. 2CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2The church’s pastorCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2says that despite the church’s remote location people visit from all over the world. Some couples even marry there because of Kill Bill.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2INT. ARMENIAN APOSTLIC CHURCH – DAY The church is packed. CLOSE ON THE RINGS as the priest holds them aloft. If those rings could talk... Jack shoots a quick look at MilesCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2INT. ARMENIAN APOSTLIC CHURCH – DAY The church is packed. CLOSE ON THE RINGS as the priest holds them aloft. If those rings could talk... Jack shoots a quick look at MilesCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2JackCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2is married at Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic CathedralCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2is married at Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic CathedralCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2standing one step above him. –From Sideways by Alexander Payne & Jim TaylorCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2In SidewaysCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2played by Paul GiamattiCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2played by Paul GiamattiCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2he wears a weird hatCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2real dirtyCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2real dirtyCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2located at 204 N Evergreen Ave. in Boyle Heights. The cemetery was established in 1877 and has also been seen in Blood InCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2located at 204 N Evergreen Ave. in Boyle Heights. The cemetery was established in 1877 and has also been seen in Blood InCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2almost humble. – From Going My Way by Frank Butler & Frank CavettCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Filmed partially in the rectory of St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa MonicaCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2who served as St. Monica’s pastor from 1923 until 1949.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2EXT. A CHURCH – DAY An ORGAN BOOMSCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2EXT. A CHURCH – DAY An ORGAN BOOMSCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2son of famed architect Frank Lloyd WrightCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2located at 5755 Palos Verdes Dr. South in Rancho Palos Verdes. “The glass churchCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2opened in 1951. There are no right angles in Wright’s designCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2opened in 1951. There are no right angles in Wright’s designCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Jack has a moment alone with Tuck and Lydia. –From Innerspace by Jeffrey Boam and Chip ProserCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Wayfarers Chapel sits on a 3.5 acre property overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It’s open daily to the public.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2EXT. ABANDONED CHURCH – DAY The priest stands in front of a huge abandoned church somewhere in Los Angeles. It is immense. Gothic. Its spires sweep upward into the sky. The priest looks at the old abandoned church with a sense of unease... -From Prince of Darkness by John Carpenter as Martin QuartermassCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Located at 120 Judge John Aiso St. in Little TokyoCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2before becoming the Union Center for the ArtsCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2before becoming the Union Center for the ArtsCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2before becoming the Union Center for the ArtsCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2located at 4301 Cahuenga Blvd.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2INT. BAPTIST CHURCH OF BEVERLY HILLS – DAY Services are in progress. J. Edward Reynolds leads a CHOIR singing an emotional SPIRITUAL. –From Ed Wood by Scott Alexander & Larry KaraszewskiCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2When ownership of the Toluca Lake United Methodist Church was transferred to the Hollywood United Methodist Church in 2013 the interior was renovated.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2EdCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2CriswellCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2ConradCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2KathyCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2and Dr. Tom Mason sit in back. They’re all wearing white robes and arguing about the doctor. – From Ed Wood by Scott Alexander & Larry KaraszewskiCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2All of the church’s stained glass was retained through the renovations.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2EXT. STUDIO CITY/ALLEY-WAY – NIGHT (LATER) Dirk is standing in an alley-way. HEADLIGHTS FLOAT ACROSS A WALL CATCHING ACHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2EXT. STUDIO CITY/ALLEY-WAY – NIGHT (LATER) Dirk is standing in an alley-way. HEADLIGHTS FLOAT ACROSS A WALL CATCHING ACHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2but in Reseda. St. Catherine-Siena Catholic Church is located at 18115 Sherman Way.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2INT. FOURSQUARE GOSPEL TABERNACLE We see the window with Jesus leading the little children. –From That Thing You Do! By Tom HanksCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2The Oneders (pronounced The Wonders) record their hit single “That Thing You Do” in Tom Hanks’ feature directorial debut inside the Community Church at HollistonCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2The Oneders (pronounced The Wonders) record their hit single “That Thing You Do” in Tom Hanks’ feature directorial debut inside the Community Church at HollistonCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2located at the intersection of Highland and FranklinCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2located at the intersection of Highland and FranklinCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2located at the intersection of Highland and FranklinCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2listenCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2watch me for the changes and try and keep upCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2watch me for the changes and try and keep upCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2watch me for the changes and try and keep upCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2JohnnyCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2go!”CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Along with Back to the Future’s Enchantment Under the Sea danceCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Along with Back to the Future’s Enchantment Under the Sea danceCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2about to exit – he sees LORRAINE approachingCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2about to exit – he sees LORRAINE approachingCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2the back stage door area looks almost exactly as it did in Back to the Future.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2LORRAINE: MartyCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2but George asked if he could take me home. –From Back to the Future by Robert Zemeckis & Bob GaleCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Looking out towards the gymCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2MARTY: UhCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2if you guys ever have kidsCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2if you guys ever have kidsCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2but the double doors were replaced with a single door.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2INT. RECEPTION AREA – NIGHT Buddy is flirting with his 20-year-old secretary. –From Anger Management by David DorfmanCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2The lobby of the HUMC’s sanctuaryCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2INT. CONVENT DINING HALL A largeCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2with oak beams and a crude iron chandelier. There is a longCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2with rough wooden benches. –From Sister Act by Paul RudnickCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Grant Hall at the Hollywood United Methodist Church was used as the convent dining hall in Sister ActCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Grant Hall at the Hollywood United Methodist Church was used as the convent dining hall in Sister ActCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2lit only by a flickering candle carried by Christy. Three more candles appearCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Mary PatrickCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2and light spills out. Christy removes several pints of ice cream and distributes them to the nuns. –From Sister Act by Paul RudnickCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2HUMC’s kitchen looks almost the same as it did in Sister Act.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2EXT. CHURCH Cars for the funeral procession are at the curb. Crowds are gathered on either side of the entrance and police are keeping them back. Cameramen have set up still cameras wherever possible. The pallbearers are bringing the flower-blanketed coffin to the hearse. –From A Star is Born by Moss HartCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Church of the Good ShepherdCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2was the site of Norman Maine’s funeral in 1954’s A Star is BornCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Gary CooperCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Gary CooperCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Gary CooperCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2as noted in the script. St. James’ in the City stood in as a New York church.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2Rod Steiger and Arnold Schwarzenegger at St. James’ in the City in End of Days.CHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2St. James’ in the CityCHAPTER SIX: Massacre at Two Pines from Kill Bill Vol. 2

Notre-Dame, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey: While we can’t claim hometown ownership over these historic edifices, Angelenos can take pride of the fact that our local churches represent a unique and diverse culture that is distinctly Los Angeles. As a result, L.A.’s churches have become the locations to some of cinema’s most memorable moments. Here, productions can find lonely desert sanctuaries just a short drive away from expansive metropolitan parishes. From Kill Bill’s “Massacre at Two Pines” to Spaceballs’ First Intergalactic Temple of the Druids, here are some of L.A.’s most filmed houses of worship.

Jared Cowan is a photographer, camera operator and avid filmgoer living in Los Angeles. In 2002, he graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a B.F.A. in film and video production. See more of his photography at jaredcowanphotography.com and follow him on Twitter at @JaredCowan1. He’d like to thank the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Margaret Herrick Library and AFI’s Louis B. Mayer Library for their assistance.

See also:
– Iconic Movie and TV Houses of L.A.
– Famous L.A. Restaurants and Bars in Movies and TV Shows

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