After more than a half-century of neglect, a derelict, historic church known as the oldest building on Wilshire Boulevard may finally be restored to its spiritual mission.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has notified contractors that it is seeking ideas and cost estimates for the rehabilitation of Wadsworth Chapel, the eclectic Victorian-Carpenter Gothic wooden structure that has stood since 1900 as the most prominent visual feature of the vast VA property in West Los Angeles.
Pursuant to President Trump’s 2025 executive order creating a National Center for Warrior Independence on the 388-acre campus, the notice envisions restoring the building as “a supportive space for veteran interfaith programming and wellness.” A tour of the chapel for potential developers is set for Wednesday.
Though seeking only feedback, not bids, and not backed by funding, the notice buoyed the hopes of activists who have engaged in a long and so-far fruitless effort to bring the chapel back to life.