In the aftermath of World War II, a new spiritual home began to take root in Los Angeles. This is the story of Saint Frances Cabrini Church. Archbishop John J. Cantwell entrusted Monsignor Paul M. Konoske with a mission: to establish a new parish. This parish would draw members from Ascension, St. Eugene, and St. Michael churches. The year was 1946. The recently canonized Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to achieve sainthood, became the parish’s patron. Saint Frances Cabrini Church’s beginnings were humble. With no dedicated building, the first Mass was held in the living room of Miss Mary Knauff on West 107th Street. Picture a small gathering on October 20, 1946, two masses filling the space with prayer. As the congregation grew, the location shifted to Ralph’s Bar-B-Q on South Vermont Avenue. At Ralph’s, parishioners found nourishment for both body and soul. The church’s future home began to materialize in 1947. Seven acres were secured. The land was blessed. The foundation was laid. By March 1948, Saint Frances Cabrini Church opened its doors. The official dedication by Archbishop McIntyre followed in October 1948. The growing community needed a space for social gatherings. So, in 1949, St. Anselm’s hall was relocated piece by piece to the Saint Frances Cabrini grounds. The parish continued its expansion with a groundbreaking ceremony for a school in 1950. The school, initially with four grades, opened later that year. A convent was completed in 1953. Under Monsignor Konoske’s guidance and the parishioners’ dedication, Saint Frances Cabrini Church flourished. The Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, arriving in 1951, played a vital role in the church’s growth. Though they departed in 2006, their legacy continues through their ongoing support of the school. Their assistance includes spiritual guidance for faculty, financial aid for families, and resources for religious education. Saint Frances Cabrini Church stands today as a testament to the vision of its founders and the unwavering faith of its community.
Tujunga Spreading Grounds
Hidden in plain sight, the Tujunga Spreading Grounds is more than just a patch of land. It’s a hidden reservoir,