HISTORICAL SKETCH OF SAINT CECILIA’S PARISH

The Southern area of the City of Los Angeles was ready for establishment of a new parish in the year 1909. Bishop Conaty was able to make the formal announcement recorded the appointment of Reverend Paul Dillon as rector of “the new parish in the southern part of the city.” Father Dillon had been assistant at St. Viviana’s Cathedral.

The Tidings account went on to state that “the parish includes that portion of St. Agnes parish South of Santa Monica Avenue to Vernon Avenue; the Eastern boundary separating it from St. Vincent and Holy Cross will be Agricultural Avenue and the Gardena division of the Redondo railway, and its Western line will be Western Avenue. The territory west of Western Avenue, south of Vernon Avenue to Slauson Avenue, will be under temporary charge of the rector of the new parish.”  Far away to the Southwest in the then separate community of Hyde Park, St. John’s Parish had been established in that same year, 1909.

The first Mass within the territory of the new St. Cecilia’s was celebrated on December 19, 1909, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. This memorial event brought together a few score people at 8:30 am at Buck’s Hall, 4705 S. Vermont. For several moths subsequently Mass was celebrated each Sunday at this same place, and at the same hour. On Christmas Day, 1909, however, there were two Masses, at 8 and 9 celebrated by Fr. Dillon.

A few months after the establishment of the parish, the Sunday Mass was celebrated in a hall at the corner of 45^th Street, and Vermont Avenue. Meantime the pastor had secured a temporary place of residence at 4155 Dalton Avenue.

Property for the parish plant was secured on the east side of Normandie Avenue, between 42^nd and 43^rd streets, early in 1910, for the sum of $5,500.00. Construction of the first church was begun immediately and on Sunday, August 7, 1910, it was blessed, and the first Solemn Mass was celebrated , with the pastor, Father Dillon as celebrant; Father P.H. McDonald C.M., as deacon and Fr. John Cawley (who many years later was Vicar General of the Archdiocese) was sub deacon. Father George Donahue was Master of Ceremonies for the occasion, and an eloquent sermon was preached by Father Francis Conaty, who took from Paralipomenon his text: “I have chosen and sanctified this place that my name may be there for ever, and my eyes and my heart may remain there perpetually.”

Picture of first church

(Fist Church and Rectory erected for St. Cecilia’s Parish Church dedicated in 1910.)

The pride of the parishioners in their modest new church is evident from the contemporary descriptions of it. The main altar, in Gothic design, was donated by Mrs. Susan King, and “was elaborately decorated for the service with pink amaryllis and white carnations.” Above the main altar was a stained glass window depicting St. Cecilia. It was the gift of R.B. Young, the architect, who designed the church.

The Stations of the Cross were installed during that first week, after their arrival from Chicago. They are described as being “in high belief, of composition resembling marble between onyx columns and lend beautiful effect to the church building.” The cost of the Church was $5,200.00, so the parishioners had many reasons to be happy. The first rectory, located beside the original church, was soon ready for occupancy.

From the beginning, the parishioners were active in social events for fundraising purposes, and evidently enjoyed them. A typical occasion of this kind, on Sunday, October 2^nd, 1910 is thus described: “A real Spanish barbecue was given at the home of Mrs. Agoure at the corner of Santa Barbara and Western Ave. First there was a short musical and literary program. Mrs. Agoure, a native Californian has a palatial residence surrounded by beautiful grounds on which the barbecue was served.

The year 1916, while World War I was devastating Europe, brought a momentous project to completion, in St. Cecilia’s parish. The first parochial school was dedicated on September 10^th, in time for the opening of school on the following day. Monsignor Harnett, administrator of the Dioceses of Monterey and Los Angeles in the long interim between the death of Bishop Conaty and the appointment of Bishop Cantwell, officiated, and was assisted by Fr. George Donahue as deacon, and Fr. Joseph McManus, as sub deacon. Monsignor Hartnell gave the address whish was a splendid statement of the statement of the constant objectives of Christian education.

Picture of School

(Saint Cecilia’s parish School was erected and blessed in 1916)

The sisters of St. Joseph of Corondolet, with Sister Mary Paul, as principal, staffed the school. It opened with all eight grades, and more than 200 children enrolled.

The enthusiasm of the parishioners for their new school is evidence y the contemporary description of the building: “The new school is a fine three-story brick building, and from its perfect finish and beautiful architectural design, surpasses any construction of its kind in the city. The dimensions are eight by ninety-nine feet and the edifice contains eight ideal classrooms 24 ½ by 30 ½ feet.

In addition to the classrooms, the new building supplies ample space for all parochial functions. It has a large auditorium with cloakrooms, splendid stage, dressing rooms and moving picture machine room. Other attractions of the building are the gymnasium and shower-baths, the large social hall, to which is attached a full size kitchen with all modern equipment, and a large reading room which will be used by different parish societies. To complete its utility, separate playgrounds are provided for boys and girls. The building will be heated through with steam heat.

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(The Charter Class of 1924 - Saint Cecilia’s Parish School)

Thus was launched St. Cecilia’s School, which in the course of the long years would have to accommodate more than three times its initial enrollment, and convert its space s to utterly utilitarian uses. Finally it was to know the ignominy of condemnation because the initial builder J.V McNeil and the architect, John P. Lynch, were not obliged to reinforce the structure for earthquake hazards. But these things were mercifully hidden from the enthusiastic parishioners on that joyal Fall day of 1916.

The next momentous event was the appointment of a new pastor, the Reverend Edward H. Brady, whose name will ever be associated with all that is enduring in Saint Cecilia’s Parish. His long pastorate began with his transfer on December 9, 1919, from his previous assignment at Immaculate Conception parish, Monrovia, to St. Cecilia’s parish. Fr Brady had been ordained in 1907, at St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, by Cardinal Gibbons. He was a native of Newport, NY, and had served at the Cathedral, Los Angeles, for 10 years before his appointment to the pastorate at Monrovia.

Father Brady set himself to the task of building a worthy church for Saint Cecilia’s Parish, as the old structure was now inadequate for the parish needs. Years of preparation came to a successful conclusion by March of 1926, when plans for the new church and rectory were approved. The estimated cost was around $225,000.00.

Sunday, November 20^th, 1927, saw the dedication of the new Saint Cecilia’s Church. A Solemn Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Bishop Cantwell, with Monsignor Francis Conaty as archpriest; Monsignor Clifford and Donahue as deacons of honor; Father Edward Kirk as deacon, and Fr. J. J. O’Brien as sub deacon. Fathers John J. Devlin and Leroy Callahan were masters of Ceremonies. Honoring the great occasion in Cappa Magna, for St. Cecilia’s Parish, Archbishop Hanna of San Francisco assisted in the Sanctuary and preached the dedication sermon.

St. Cecilia’s Church is in the Lombard Romanesque style of architecture, a style developed under Byzantine influence, in the early middle ages, in Milan, Pavia and other Lombard cities of Italy. The church is built of reinforced concrete; the high altar is made of carved French Caen stone, and is designed to harmonize with the edifice. The Stations of the Cross make of ceramic tile and also conform to the architecture of the church.

CONSECRATION OF SAINT CECILIA’S CHURCH

The arduous task of paying off the indebt ness of 100,000.00 on Saint Cecilia’s Church was made more difficult by the depression years. However, by the year 1943 the Church was free of debt. Father Brady was then able to realize a sacred ambition, namely to have the beautiful edifice consecrated. In the previous history of the archdiocese of Los Angeles only two churches had enjoyed this great privilege. On May 1, 1943, Most Reverend Joseph T. McGucken, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles performed the lengthy sacred ritual of the consecration ceremony. The ritual began at 7:30 a.m. and lasted for three hours. Relics of St. Cecilia were placed in the altar during the ceremony. Solemn Mass (Coram Pontifice) followed at 11 o’clock, with Father Brady as celebrant; Fr. Victor Follen as deacon, and Fr. Edward Roth as sub deacon.  Monsignor Edward Kirk preached the sermon. The laying of the cornerstone of the building, on Pentecost Sunday, in June 1927, was recalled, as a landmark in the 24 years pastorate of Father Brady up to the great event of the consecration. The parishioners were happy indeed on this solemn day, as the procession of clergy went  around three times, during which holy water was sprinkled on the exterior walls, and the symbolic striking of the front door with the base of the articles on the altar. A post-consecration ceremony was held on the following May 16^th, 1943, when a granite memorial plaque was the gift of the parish Holy Name Society.

As the venerable pastor, Father Brady, advanced in years, the people of the parish were all the more anxious to show him honor. In January, 1945, the people of Saint Cecilia’s celebrated the silver anniversary of his pastorate in the parish. Their gift was

(In between text)

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(The Reverend Edward H. Brady announces The Solemn Consecration of Saint Cecilia’s

Church by the Most Reverend Joseph T. McGucken, D.D. Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles and cordially invites you to attend the Solemn High Mass “Coram Pontifice” on Sunday, the second of May at eleven o’clock in the morning, and to the luncheon immediately following the Mass.

Please reply to Rev. Joseph Schnieders 4230 South Normandie Avenue Los Angeles)

4 pictures

(-early days at St. Cecilia’s-)

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An illuminated scroll recalling his successful work as pastor, and including a generous spiritual bouquet.

Again in December, 1946, the people insisted upon making the seventy-fifth birthday of Father Brady an occasion of rejoicing. All the parish organizations joined in making that December 8^th a memorable occasion.

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(Father Edward Brady receives scroll in 1945)

The year 1947 brought another happy event for the people of St. Cecilia’s. On Sunday, December 21, of that year, the Fortieth Anniversary of Father Brady’s Ordination was joyfully observed. He celebrated the anniversary Mass at 11 o’clock on that day, and Monsignor George Scott preached the sermon. All the parish societies turned out at the Mass for the occasion. Joseph Scott, who had been the orator at the luncheon meeting back in 1927, when the Church was dedicated, was again the speaker at the luncheon meeting back in 1927, when the church was dedicated, was again the speaker at the luncheon on this occasion. The Glee Club, directed by Paul Ferrish, gave Father Brady’s favorite musical selections, and a new ciborium was presented to the pastor by the people of the parish.

The years of World War II had seen an intensification of devotion in the parish. Handsome plaques containing the names of all the boys in the armed forces were placed in the vestibule of the church, and a special one was devoted to the memory of those who gave their lives for their country.

The strenuous years that came to the Archdiocese with the arrival of Archbishop McIntyre saw Father Brady enjoying the distinction of being the oldest active priest of the Archdiocese. When the late Pope Pius XII raised the Archbishop of Los Angeles to the Sacred College Cardinals, the dignity of a Domestic Prelate with the title of Right Recerend Monsignor, was on the way from rome for the pastor of St. Cecilia’s. However, Divine Providence had arranged otherwise. On Tuesday, January 27, 1953, Monsignor Brady was called to his eternal reward, at the age of eighty-one. A few weeks before, he had observed the forty-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

His eminence, Cardinal McIntyre presided at the funeral Mass, and gave the absolution. Bishop Manning preached the sermon; Monsignor George Scott was celebrant, and the two former assistants at St. Cecilia’s, Fathers Joseph Bauer, and Patrick Collins, were deacon and subdeacon, respectively. Monsignor Brady’s body was interred in Newport, New York, his birthplace.

SAINT CECILIA’S CONVENT

Following the arrival of Monsignor Patrick J. Dignan, Superintendent of Schools of the Archdiocese, pastor of St. Cecilia’s, on March 18, 1953, plans for the much-needed convent at St. Cecilia’s were undertaken. The old original rectory was moved away from the property. For years it had been used as a residence for the maintenance man, Mr. McGrath, who had died in the late spring of that year. Construction work on the convent was begun during the summer months, and the fine structure was occupied by the Sisters after New Year’s Day, 1954. Messrs. Barker and Ott were the architects, and Julian Construction Company, the general contractors. The cost of the building, including architects fees and furnishings, was $77,500.00.

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(Saint Cecilia’s Convent)

A growing child population in St. Cecilia’s area, as elsewhere, necessitated a constant effort to provide more classroom space. By making maximum use of all areas of the school building it was possible to double the number of classrooms (from 6 to 12) in the years between 1954 and 1958. Four Lay Teachers helped the eight Sisters in conducting the enlarged school.

Meantime some improvements were undertaken to complete the Church furnishings, and to beautify the sanctuary. The latter work was in keeping with the Lombard-Byzantine style of the building. Three of the four rose windows that adorn the Church had never been completed. Likewise twenty smaller windows (each of them 24 square feet in are however) in the great dome of the church still had temporary glrass placed in them when the church was built.

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(The Sancturay of Saint Cecilia’s Church)

The construction art center, in Los Angeles, under the capable derection of the Hungarian artist, Isabel Pizcek, installed the beautiful new stained glass windows. They enhanced the massive grandeur of the great church. The total cost of the project was $21,000.00.

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(Church Fome Window)

(Saint Ceiclia’s Church – Altar)

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On December 1, 1958, the whole country was shaken by dreadful news of a fire that had consumed parochial school in Chicago, which cost ninety lives. It was inevitable that a close inspection would be made of all public and private schools across the nation. St. Cecilia’s school had no trouble with regard to Fire Department regulations, but due to its age, trouble resulted when the Building and Safety Department inspected the building. The mere fact that it had been constructed before 1933, when the earthquake reinforcement regulations were enacted, made necessary its replacement by a new building.

The architect chose for the new school was Mr. J George Szeptycki, and the contract was awarded to J. A. Mcneil Company, on a competitive basis. The contract price was $206,000.00, plus 8% architect fees. In addition a school hall, with school cafeteria equipment was planned after the old building is demolished.

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(St. Cecilia’s new school under construction)

The estimated cost of this unit is between $30,000.00 and $35,000.00, with architect fees to be added.

The twelve classroom, two-story building is of precast concrete panels for the corridor and classroom walls. The side walls are designed for every extensive use of glass, with white concrete asbestos panels above and below windows. By way of contrast the end walls are reinforced brick, divided by glass panels at the entraces, and the second floor area above the entrances. The building is roofed with steel decking covered composition roofing. The floors are concrete slab, covered by asphault tile. The stair shafts are enclosed, and lighted by skylights. Colored chalkboards and tackboards brighten the classrooms. Excellent lighting is provided by fluorescent fixtures.

Thus does Saint Cecilia’s parish round out its first half century of existence, as the parishioners prepared for an enthusiastic Golden Jubilee celebration, on Sunday, November 22, 1959, the feast of St. Cecilia. The vast changes that have come upon the world in this momentous era of history have reached down to the parish level, and to the individual home. It is gratifying to know, however, that the people of St. Cecilia’s are facing their present problems with the same courage and devotedness that characterized their predecessors in the past. Their present pastor is grateful to them for upholding his hands, and prays God’s blessing upon them in the years to be.

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Sisters of Saint Joseph of Corondolet – 1959

Saint Cecilia’s Convent

November 22, 1959

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