Church of the Good Shepherd, Los Angeles

The Church of the Good Shepherd on North Bedford Drive in Beverly Hills is easy to recognize by its white Spanish Colonial Revival façade, terracotta-tiled roof, and twin bell towers capped with small golden domes. The building sits slightly back from the road behind landscaped gardens, creating a peaceful contrast with the surrounding city streets.

Walk toward the central entrance along the path through the garden. On the lawn in front of the church, look for the statue of Jesus Christ holding a lamb, an image symbolizing Christ as the Good Shepherd. The surrounding greenery includes carefully maintained lawns, tall cedar trees, cacti, and other drought-tolerant plants that complement the church’s Southern Californian setting.

At the top of the shallow entrance steps, you will see three arched doorways fitted with dark carved wooden doors. The central entrance is the most prominent, while the two side entrances mirror it on either side. Before entering, look upward at the two slender towers rising from the façade. Their golden domes are among the church’s most distinctive features and are particularly striking in bright sunlight. Along the side walls, the stained-glass windows can be identified by their narrow arched frames and colorful biblical scenes.

Consecrated in 1924, the Church of the Good Shepherd is the oldest church in Beverly Hills and can accommodate about 600 worshipers. It has long been associated with Hollywood history. Bing Crosby and Rudolph Valentino were among its parishioners, while funeral services for Alfred Hitchcock, Gary Cooper, and Frank Sinatra were also held here. The church has just as well hosted celebrity weddings, including those of Elizabeth Taylor and Conrad Hilton, and Mark Wahlberg and Rhea Durham.

Inside, follow the central aisle between two rows of dark wooden pews toward the sanctuary. The interior is elegant but relatively simple, with pale walls and natural light entering through the many stained-glass windows. Look to either side of the main nave for two small chapels, which provide quieter spaces for prayer and reflection. This church remains an active place of worship, so visitors should enter quietly, avoid disturbing services, and dress respectfully.