The Pacific Palisades wildfires in Los Angeles County in January resulted in significant destruction, with over 55,000 acres burned and more than 16,000 structures claimed.
This included the loss of 14 churches, synagogues, and other places of worship, deeply affecting religious communities such as the Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church and the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center.
Faith Leaders' Challenges and Responses
Faith leaders are focused on rebuilding their communities and have strived to maintain a sense of community and connection with the loss of physical spaces. Some of those efforts include temporary worship arrangements and offering online services.
Saving symbols of faith
Despite the devastation, faith communities found symbols of hope in recovered religious artifacts, like the charred but intact cross from the Presbyterian Church, and the rescue of all 13 Torahs by Robert Brown III from the Pasadena Jewish Temple.
The art of giving
The impacted communities received widespread support. The Jewish community and Calvary Church raised significant funds to assist displaced and affected congregants.
Read more about the aftermath of the California fires.
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