How about stepping back in time to 1921? Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church began its story then. This area was sparsely populated at the time. Most parishioners worked in agriculture. They tended livestock or walnut and orange groves.
Our Lady of the Valley is in Canoga Park. It is a large Catholic church and school. The shrine is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the Patroness of the San Fernando Valley.
Initially, the parish covered 400 square miles. It stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the south. The Ventura County line marked the west. White Oak Avenue defined the eastern border. The Santa Susana Mountains were to the north.
After World War II, the San Fernando Valley changed. Agriculture gave way to residential communities. The Catholic population grew significantly. The original 400 square miles were divided. Nine sister parishes were created.
Our Lady of the Valley’s territory shrank to four square miles. Yet, the parish grew. It expanded from 620 parishioners to over 4100 families.
Monsignor John J. Hurley led Our Lady of the Valley. He served as pastor from 1943 until 1975. His leadership shaped the church’s identity.
The 1994 Northridge earthquake caused significant damage. Our Lady of the Valley sustained $800000 in damage. The church was renovated. It reopened in November 1995.
Today, Our Lady of the Valley continues to be a vibrant community. It offers various Mass times. Services are available in both English and Spanish. Saturday Masses are at 8:15 am and 5:00 pm. Sunday Masses begin at 7:00 am. Additional Masses are at 8:15 am in Spanish, 9:45 am, 11:30 am in Spanish, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm in Spanish and 6:00 pm. Confession is available on Saturdays. It is scheduled from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Our Lady of the Valley stands as a testament to faith. It reflects the evolving character of the San Fernando Valley. It began as a small parish serving farmers. Now, it is a large community. It welcomes people from diverse backgrounds. It offers a spiritual home for thousands of families. The church’s history is a story of growth. It shows resilience. It embodies devotion.