Can a group of festive masked Episcopalians crack the code of the mysterious Angel Gabriel (atop the Abbey) during the forthcomimg June 2 Masked Ball Gala?
Just two years ago, The Abbey celebrated its centennial as a 1910 landmark. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983 and also more recently a recipient of the distinguished Presidential Design Award from the National Endowment of the Arts.
More culturally significant, the Abbey at 2524 Fifth in Bankers Hill is believed to be the only classical revival structure still standing in San Diego!
No one seems to know for sure if Gabriel was blowing away in 1910 as part of Los Angeles architect Norman Foote Marsh's design for the Park Place Methodist Episcopal Church at Fifth between Olive and Palm---the same year as the U.S. Grant Hotel was constructed downtown in the Gaslamp District!
Back then, just a few blocks away, Kate Sessions was planting her trees in Balboa Park while in Washington, D.C. President William Howard Taft held forth with vigor in the White House. Later, in 1951 the church morphed into the Balboa Park Baptist church until 1984 when the building was purchased by the Hornblower Cruise restaurant group as a historic venue for weddings/receptions.
According to an 'anonymous' neighbor, the metal Gabriel first appeared coated with new, shimmering gold leaf in 1984; did Architect Marsh intend originally for Angel Gabriel (plus horn) to keep watch over the original, rather stuffy Methodist parishioners?
Masked Ball patrons from St. Paul's Cathedral may offer a clue during the festive evening while dancing away under the pale yellow glow of elegant, domed stained-glass skylights.
Ellen Shaw Tufts
The Integrity Masked Ball on June 2nd at the historic Abbey will raise money to support LGBT outreach and programs of St Paul's. Enjoy a silent auction while dancing the night away! Tickets here.
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