Organ builder Weston Harris recently ran across an article written in May of 1943 about the Parish of St. Thomas. One of the most interesting facts from the article about our history is that the massive, carved oak doors, which still remain at the Parish Church, were made without locks, and it was church policy to keep the church open day and night to everyone.
The best part of our history reported in this article is that those that came in at night were "guided by only one light, the neon cross above the altar."
The full article has not been found, but below is an excerpt and it has been fully transcribed below:
Thirteen years ago a church was built in Hollywood. without a lock and its doors have been open, night and day ever since. Thus far little has been lost by following that policy and it is known that at least one person's life has been saved.
It St. Thomas Episcopal Church. 7501 Hollywood Blvd.
"We paid $1800 for massive, carved oak doors, without a latch or lock on them," said Dr. Arthur H. Wurtele, the rector. "Oh, a few things have been missed. The poor box has been broken into, but only a few pennies have been taken. What is that if you help one person?"
He said that one day a prominent Hollywood man came up to him and said, "Thanks for saving my life." Dr. Wurtele stared at the man with curiosity and he told his story.
He had been a millionaire at one time, but lost everything in the depression. He decided to kill himself, put his revolver in his pocket and started hiking up toward the hills.
Obeying an impulse as he walked by the church, he turned and went in. He fell asleep in the church and when he woke the next morning he had lost all his ideas about killing himself. Instead he got a job.
Dr. Wurtele said that sometimes people sleep in the church. Before the advent of radio patrol cars, the policeman on duty at night in the vicinity spent much time in the church.
Probably the most distinguished sleeper the church has had was a count who ran into bad luck after coming to Hollywood and worked in motion pictures for a time, Dr... [end of excerpt]
Caption to picture: SANCTUARY - The St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Hollywood Blvd., the doors of which have never been locked since it was built 13 years ago. In fact, the doors have no locks, as Dr. Arthur H. Wurtlele, the rector, demonstrates in insert. Strangers walking into the church to commune by themselves at night are guided by only one light, the neon cross above the altar.
