Wayfarers Chapel Celebrates New Book

by Liz Brown SwansonWayfarers Book

The Wayfarers Chapel announces the publication of a special commemorative book, The Beauty of Holiness: Story of the Wayfarers Chapel. Former Wayfarers minister Rev. Ernest O. Martin wrote the 96-page hardcover, with more than 140 beautiful images.

“The story is about the architectural vision of Lloyd Wright, the spiritual vision of Emanuel Swedenborg and the perspective of the Swedenborgian Church which brought forth a chapel built to the glory of God with sun and light to free the spirit, inspiring wayfarers with the beauty of holiness.” author Martin says. Martin, a fifth generation Swedenborgian, was minister at the Wayfarers in Rancho Palos Verdes, California from 1975-1984. He spent the past year writing the commemorative book with the assistance of the Wayfarers Chapel administrator Rev. Harvey Tafel. Together they sifted through more than 1000 photographs, many of them rare.

The Beauty of Holiness shares the incredible story of the Chapel dream and explores the Wayfarers 55-year history. For more than a half-century Wayfarers Chapel, a national memorial to Emanuel Swedenborg, has touched millions of lives. The book sheds light on how renowned architect Lloyd Wright created a “glass church” and a garden oasis overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

According to Tafel, “The Wayfarers story is fascinating from its beginning in the 1920s through the selection of Lloyd Wright as the architect, and the concept of creating a sacred space within a tree chapel. The book examines the early years, the struggles that went on until the dedication in 1951. It shows what the ministry of Wayfarers is all about and looks at the Chapel’s mission in the years to come.”

With each passing year, more and more wayfarers are seeking out the Chapel for peace and spiritual growth. They come for worship services, weddings, baptisms and life celebrations. The book focuses on those celebrations and showcases the new visitors center, which opened in 2001.

The center welcomes thousands of visitors every month, and was built with the assistance of Lloyd Wright’s son, Eric Lloyd Wright. Eric remains as a Chapel consultant, continuing the Wright family legacy started by his famous grandfather, Frank Lloyd Wright. On April 29, Eric will take part in a book signing at the Wayfarers Annual Art Show.

The limited-edition book preserves the Wayfarers history for generations to come. It is a treasured keepsake for everyone. The Beauty of Holiness: Story of the Wayfarers Chapel will be available in spring 2007 for $39.95 plus tax and $4.95 for shipping. For more information and to order your copy call the Wayfarers Chapel Visitors Center at 310-377-7919 ext 6. Visit the Chapel website at www.wayfarerschapel.org.

Liz Brown Swanson is public relations director at the Wayfarers Chapel.