Wildfires Destroy LA Houses of Worship, Faith Persists \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Los Angeles wildfires have devastated houses of worship, including synagogues, churches, and mosques, leaving communities mourning their losses. Faith leaders are focusing on comfort, rebuilding, and aiding displaced congregants. Sacred items, like Torah scrolls, were rescued, and affected communities are rallying with hope and resilience amid the destruction.
Faith Communities Unite After Wildfire Devastation: Quick Looks
- Widespread Damage: Fires destroyed multiple places of worship, including the Pasadena Jewish Temple, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, and Masjid Al-Taqwa.
- Heroic Actions: Clergy and congregants rescued sacred items, including Torah scrolls and children at schools.
- Faith Unshaken: Leaders emphasized resilience, stating their communities remain strong despite the destruction.
- Support Networks: Efforts include fundraising, temporary worship spaces, and aid for displaced congregants.
- Historic Losses: Houses of worship with decades-long legacies were reduced to rubble.
- Future Rebuilding: Communities are already planning to rebuild places of worship while focusing on immediate relief.
Deep Look
The devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles have not only destroyed homes and businesses but also reduced numerous sacred spaces to ash, leaving faith communities grappling with immense loss. Synagogues, mosques, and churches across the region have been obliterated, displacing thousands of congregants and leaving leaders with the dual challenges of comforting their followers while planning for rebuilding and recovery.
A Widespread Impact on Houses of Worship
Among the hardest-hit communities was the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, an 80-year-old synagogue consumed by flames. Cantor Ruth Berman Harris and three companions risked their safety to rescue its sacred Torah scrolls, navigating road closures and heavy smoke to preserve the heartbeat of the Jewish community.
“It’s the heartbeat of any Jewish community,” Berman Harris said, reflecting on the urgency of saving the Torah scrolls as the fire closed in. The synagogue itself is now reduced to rubble, leaving congregants mourning the loss of a spiritual home where countless life milestones were celebrated.
The fires also destroyed Masjid Al-Taqwa, a beloved mosque in Altadena with deep roots in the community. Established as an African American place of worship, the mosque had grown to welcome a diverse group of families, professionals, and college students over the years. Imam Junaid Aasi described the mosque as a “second home” for many.
“When my daughter called and said, ‘Mom, the masjid is burned,’ my heart broke,” said Samar Ghannoum, a longtime member of the mosque. The loss is deeply felt, not only as a physical space but as a cornerstone for community celebrations, such as Ramadan iftars and children’s art activities.
Christian churches also faced significant losses. Altadena Community Church, Altadena United Methodist Church, and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church were all destroyed. Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Pacific Palisades, along with Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, also succumbed to the flames. For these congregations, the loss is both physical and emotional, as these spaces held decades of history and community bonds.
Heroic Efforts to Preserve Sacred Artifacts
As the fires advanced, faith leaders and congregants sprang into action to save sacred items. At the Pasadena Jewish Temple, Cantor Berman Harris, her husband, and two others whisked the Torah scrolls to safety. Similarly, Rabbi Zushe Cunin of a Pacific Palisades Chabad center evacuated about 100 children from the center’s school before returning to save Torah scrolls from the sanctuary.
“The fire damaged classrooms and other spaces, but the sanctuary is intact,” Cunin said. He described the scene as “apocalyptic” and noted that even those with means have lost everything.
For many congregations, the act of rescuing sacred texts or artifacts serves as a reminder of their enduring faith, even in the face of destruction.
Faith Communities Grapple with Loss
The loss of these sacred spaces has left faith leaders and congregants grappling with grief and uncertainty. At St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Carri Patterson Grindon shared her heartbreak over the destruction, noting that several parishioners also lost their homes.
“We will need one another in the days ahead as we face these devastating losses,” she wrote in a message to her congregation, vowing to provide mutual support as they rebuild their lives.
For Altadena Community Church, known for its colorful stained glass and popular choir, the loss was equally profound. “It’s shocking,” said the Rev. Paul Tellström. “It’s a reminder of the fragility of life.” Yet, the congregation’s Facebook page posted a hopeful message alongside images of parishioners singing outdoors: “WE are the church! We can worship anywhere.”
The devastation extended to Corpus Christi Catholic Church, whose charred skeletal remains were shared on its website with the simple, somber message: “I have no words. Our beautiful church in Pacific Palisades, as of this morning.”
Immediate Relief Efforts
Amid the ashes, faith communities are rallying to support one another. Synagogues that escaped the fires are hosting services for displaced congregants, while volunteers from the Jewish Federation Los Angeles are providing food, financial aid, and emotional support.
Masjid Al-Taqwa’s community launched a fundraising campaign that raised over $100,000 in just a few days. Neighboring mosques are offering temporary spaces for worship, and leaders are already making plans for rebuilding.
“Our building is gone,” said the Rev. J. Andre Wilson of Altadena United Methodist Church. “But YOU and US, are the church.” His words underscore a shared sentiment among faith leaders: their congregations are not defined by buildings but by the people and the faith that bind them together.
Resilience in the Face of Devastation
While the road to recovery is long, the wildfires have reaffirmed the resilience of faith communities. At the Parish of St. Matthew in Pacific Palisades, where clergy residences were destroyed but the sanctuary and school remain intact, online gatherings have provided a source of strength.
“We feel your prayers,” said the Rev. Stefanie Wilson during a virtual prayer service. “We need them, and we feel that you’re with us right now.”
For the Pasadena Jewish Temple, Melissa Levy, the synagogue’s executive director, emphasized that their faith has only been strengthened. “Nothing in my faith has been rocked by this,” Levy said. “If anything, it’s been bolstered by the support we have received and the hope we can give.”
Planning for the Future
As these communities mourn their losses, they are already planning for the future. Faith leaders are exploring temporary worship spaces and envisioning how to rebuild. For many, the immediate priority is providing emotional and material support to those who lost everything.
“We will rebuild, but right now, it’s about helping our community through this moment,” said Rabbi Noah Farkas of the Jewish Federation Los Angeles.
A Testament to Faith and Community
The wildfires have tested the resilience of Los Angeles’ faith communities, but they have also highlighted the strength of their bonds. Whether through rescuing sacred items, organizing mutual aid, or simply coming together in prayer, these congregations have shown that faith persists even in the face of unimaginable loss.
As they begin the long journey to recovery, these communities remain hopeful, drawing strength from their faith and the enduring support of those around them.
Wildfires Destroy Wildfires Destroy Wildfires Destroy
You must Register or Login to post a comment.