From "Nuestro Pueblo - Los Angeles, City of Romance" Copyright 1940, by Charles H. Owens and Joseph F. Seewerker THE CHURCH THAT BRANDY BUILT The old Plaza Church is doubtless the most famous landmark of Los Angeles. When the pueblo was founded, the colonists built a place of worship immediately. But it was quickly outgrown and the cornerstone for a new church, this Old Plaza Church, was laid in 1814. Foundations and cornerstone merely opened a campaign for funds. For four years subscriptions were asked, and among the contributions were half a thousand head of cattle. As the builders thought of selling the beeves, the Governor is said to have made a proposal. In exchange for the livestock, he would include in his next budget sufficient funds for completing the church. But like many other politicians, the Governor owned a short memory. The official budget was never to include those church funds. So at last the president of missions begged of the brothers in California and received seven barrels of superlative brandy, so fine that when sold by the drink it produced money enough to keep construction going until 1821. Then a second contribution of brandy was received - and drunk as enthusiastically and with as large return. Los Angeles proved that it would buy brandy in a good cause - if the brandy were very good.