Pico-Union in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

St. Sophia Cathedral

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 6, 2025

1. St. Sophia Cathedral Marker

Inscription.
St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Cultural Heritage Board Monument No. 120
City of Los Angeles

Greek Orthodox Church
Cathedral of St. Sophia
Los Angeles California
Dedicated to the holy wisdom of God the 25th day of July A.D. 1948 through the zeal and generosity of members and friends of the Greek Orthodox Church under the leadership and inspiration of Charles P. Skouras

Erected by City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 120.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.

Location. 34° 2.76′ N, 118° 18.012′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Pico-Union. It is on Normandie Avenue just north of 15th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1324 Normandie Ave, Los Angeles CA 90006, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.S.S. Maine Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Los Angeles City Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rosedale Cemetery

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Linda Scott Residence (approx. half a mile away); Haddon Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away); Rindge House (approx. 0.9 miles away); Kenwood Avenue (approx. 0.9 miles away); Raymond Avenue (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Regarding St. Sophia Cathedral. Charles P. Skouras was an American movie executive and president of Fox West Coast, known for designing many of the historic Fox Theaters. He spent 2 million dollars to build this cathedral, which was completed in 1952. In 1973 it was designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 120.
Members of the church congregation have included Hollywood actors such as Telly Savalas, Tom Hanks, and Rita Wilson.

Also see . . . Visiting with Huell Howser - Episode 511, Saint Sophia’s. This hour-long video, produced for local PBS television stations in 2017, includes films of the construction and the 1952 dedication of the cathedral. (Submitted on September 7, 2025.)

Additional keywords. Saint Sophia

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 6, 2025

2. St. Sophia Cathedral Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 6, 2025

3. St. Sophia Cathedral Marker

Harvard Heights Historic District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 6, 2025

4. Harvard Heights Historic District

St. Sophia Cathedral image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 6, 2025

5. St. Sophia Cathedral

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 6, 2025

6. St. Sophia Cathedral

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 1, 2021

7. St. Sophia Cathedral

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 1, 2021

8. St. Sophia Cathedral

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 909 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 7, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.