Congregation of St. John's Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles keeps pace with approaching Expo train. Photo by Luis Inzunza.
Two processions at around 12:30 p.m. today came together for a blessing of the new Expo Line. On the west side of Flower at 23rd Street, Episcopal priests led the congregation of St. John’s Cathedral from the historic church on West Adams that’s just a block away from the 23rd St. Station. Across the street, an Expo Train simultaneously approached the station, looking scrubbed and clean in its Sunday best. Flanked by L.A. City Council members Jan Perry and Bernard Parks, the Very Reverend Canon Mark R. Kowalewski conducted the blessing from the platform during the brief boarding stop. On its way to Pico Station, the train departed on schedule, leaving the platform in a cloud of incense.
The Very Reverend Canon Mark R. Kowalewski, dean and rector of St. John's Cathedral, leads the blessing ceremony at the 23rd Street Station. Photo by Gino Giles.
Ridership on the Expo Line is relatively light today, with intermittent full trains and no queues to speak of. Free opening weekend rides continue today until 7 p.m. The Expo Line opens for regular fare service on Monday at 4:54 a.m. from 7th St / Metro Center Station in downtown Los Angeles. The first eastbound train will depart La Cienega/Jefferson Station at 5:12 a.m.
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As a member of St. John’s the priests have spoken about the Expo Line Station just across from the Cathedral in their sermons as an opportunity to connect with the City via this transportation station. Getting to church couldn’t be easier. I used to take the blue line from Long Beach and then walk over to church. Now it arrives right at the front door.