Seeing Stars: Churches of the Stars..

 .
Other Celebrity Houses of Worship


 St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church:
9501 Balboa Blvd, Northridge, CA
(on the corner of Balboa Blvd & Plummer St.)
Tom Hanks ("Saving Private Ryan", "You've Got Mail", "Forrest Gump") and his wife Rita Wilson ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") have attended services at this Greek Orthodox church in the San Fernando Valley, as has actress Melina Kanakaredes ("Providence", "CSI: NY"). Also, a room connected to the Grand Ballroom is dedicated in honor of actor Telly Savalis ("Kojak") and is called "The Savalis Room" due to a donation to the Church by the Savalis Family.


 Wilshire United Methodist Church:
4350 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
(on the corner of Wilshire Blvd. and Plymouth.)
Jeanette MacDonald and Gene Raymond were married here on June 16, 1937. Nelson Eddy sung at the ceremony, Basil Rathbone ('Sherlock Holmes') and Harold Lloyd were ushers; Fay Wray ("King Kong") and Ginger Rogers were maids of honor.

Wilshire Methodist was also the scene of another giant wedding in September of 1945, when thousands of fans blocked traffic on Wilshire Blvd as 17-year old Shirley Temple got married for the first time, to actor John Agar.

 Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church:
505 N Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
(just east of Good Shepherd Church)
Jimmy Stewart's funeral was held here in 1997. Three hundred fans gathered outside the church, while stars in attendance inside included Nancy Reagan, Bob Hope, Esther Williams, Robert Stack, June Allyson and Carol Burnett. As the memorial service finished, the organist played "Auld Lang Syne," the song played at the end of Jimmy's favorite movie: "It's A Wonderful Life." In December of 1996, model-actress Angie Everhart married the son of George Hamilton (Ashley Hamilton) in this church. In 1998, Debbie Reynolds narrated the church's Christmas pageant. 10497 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310) 475-4818.

 Sinai Temple:
10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.
When
Kirk Douglas turned 83 (in 1999), he was Bar Mitzvah'd (again) at this conservative synagogue in Westwood. Why? Well, Jewish tradition holds that a man has lived a full lifetime at age 70. So at 83, Kirk figured he was "13 again," and it was time for another Bar Mitzvah. Sinai Temple is the oldest Conservative Congregation in southern California. (Another member is the father of Monica Lewinsky, the woman who played a key role in President Clinton's recent problems.)

 Westwood United Methodist Church:
10497 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.
Former "Charlie's Angel"
Jaclyn Smith was married at this large church on October 11, 1997. Among the wedding guests was fellow "Angel" Kate Jackson.


 Hollywood Temple Beth El:
1317 N Crescent Heights Blvd,
Los Angeles (between Sunset and Santa Monica Blvds.)
Once known as "the temple to the stars," the congregation of this historic synagogue included Edward G. Robinson, Eddie Cantor, the Warner Brothers, make-up expert Max Factor, Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle, and director Mervyn LeRoy ("The Wizard of Oz"). After steadily declining attendance, the building was sold in 1998, and is now home to the Iranian-American Jewish Center.


Also see: Good Shepherd Church, Blessed Sacrament Church, the Crystal Cathedral, the Lake Shrine, St. Martin of Tours, St. Sophia, St. Monica's and Wayfarer's Chapel.




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