Churches in Southern California serve many purposes. People attend ceremonies, such as weddings and baptisms. They form strong ties with their church communities, and they find comfort in the familiar rituals of their religion. While you might consider all of the beauty of the earth to be very closely connected to a higher power, you might not think of your church itself as a place to commune with nature - usually, our chapels and cathedrals are all about the manmade beauty that we create in order to worship and honor God. The Wayfarer's Chapel, also known as The Glass Church, is a very spiritual place, but it is a little bit different. You'll fall in love with the beauty of this unique glass chapel in Southern California.

The chapel was designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright's son, Lloyd Wright. He envisioned the chapel as a sanctuary in the middle of beautiful natural surroundings - a place where architecture and nature come together to celebrate life and worship God. These lovely Glass Chapel photos are just a fraction of the beauty of the that this beautiful chapel has in person.

As you first approach this chapel, it looks similar to others you've seen. Its rock spire and cross are standard, familiar features. From far down the path, you can't see the Glass Church very well. It's not immediately obvious that you've stumbled upon the most unique chapel in Southern California.

Once you get closer, you can see that there is a chapel, made of glass and beams. it blends right into its surroundings, as the architect intended. This chapel is one of the finest examples of Organic Architecture in the world. It's also known as the "Glass Church in Southern California."

Frank Lloyd Wright visited the California Redwood forests after World War II. As he was sitting at a restaurant, he looked up through a skylight and noticed the towering trees arching above him, forming a sort of cathedral ceiling.

Later, recalling that moment, he said, "The great cathedrals of redwood inspired me to use the redwoods here. In earlier days all over the face of the Earth, there were chapels in glades and the woods which were meeting places for the priests and the people. The Chapel was to be a place for people to meet, think, and contemplate the forces of nature and God Almighty. The setting of this Chapel is to receive people, the wayfarers."

Step inside this beautiful space and you'll truly start to understand Frank Lloyd Wright's goal. Surrounded by trees and sky, you'll feel as though you're both inside and outside - at the same time. Everything inside is created by nature - from the stone altar and half walls topped with planters full of greenery, to the benches created from rich redwood.

"I used the glass so that the natural growth, the sky, and sea beyond became the definition of their environment. This is done to give the congregation protection in services and at the same time to create the sense of outer as well as inner space."

Look up through the glass ceiling. While you're inside, whether you are there alone to quietly sit, or are there attending a service, you'll feel that you are part of the natural landscape.

"I wanted particularly to allow those trees and those trunks to be seen and the space beyond and into infinity to be observed, so those who sat in the sanctuary would perceive the grandeur of space out beyond and around them." Known as one of the most beautiful churches in Southern California, the passion and heart behind the structure is made even more endearing.

The chapel is framed by redwood trees so that from a distance it almost melts into the woods and becomes one with them.

"When the trees that surround the Chapel grow up, they will become the framework, become a part of the tree forms and branches that inevitably arise from the growing trees adjacent to it."

The outdoor garden spaces surround the chapel with more beauty supplied by nature.

It adds a simple element of beauty to what's already considered a unique chapel in Southern California.

The grounds and gardens are truly stunning.

The view to the ocean below is stunning and completes this perfect space in which to feel at one with the planet and its creator.

This church does not have a regular congregation - it's open to everyone for worship services. Communion is offered during services on the first Sunday of the month, and special services are held on holidays.

Get a closer look at this gorgeous chapel:

The Glass Church in California is located at 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Visit the Wayfarer's Chapel website for more information on the most unique chapel in Southern California.

This is just one of many beautiful churches in Southern California. For more breathtaking views, take a look at these 10 beautiful churches.