Designed in the Pskov style of 12-13th century northern Russia. The first Russian Orthodox church in Los Angeles, it was founded by a congregation with few wealthy members, many of whom had served as officers in the Russian army and navy who fled Russia in the chaos following the Russian Revolution and World War I. Early parishioners included composer Sergei Rachmaninov, actors Ivan Lebedeff and Nicholas Kobliansky and art director and production designer Alexander Toluboff. Toluboff's contribution was most significant; in the 1930s he was nominated three times for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction.
In 1960, the church was enlarged to almost double its size with designs by architect Sergei N. Koschin, a collaborator of Richard Neutra. In 1971 it was designated a cathedral by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America. The same year, architect S.N. Koschin designed a new building to house the Chapel of St. Herman of Alaska, a school building and sacristy.
The Cathedral is located at 650 Micheltorena Street. Please do not use this image in any media without my permission. © All rights reserved.
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