A thousand dollars. That’s all it cost to purchase the land where Saint Anthony of Padua Church stands today. Can you imagine? A small fortune back in 1910. But for the burgeoning Catholic community in Gardena Valley this was the beginning. It started humbly. Masses were held on the estate of General William Starke Rosecrans a former Civil War general. He even sometimes served as an altar boy. Quite a picture isn’t it?
Saint Anthony of Padua Church wasn’t always the majestic structure we see before us. The first church was a modest wood-frame building. It measured just 25 by 90 feet. Think of it a small chapel nestled amongst the burgeoning fields. It stood where the nursery school now stands. This first church was designed by Bishop Thomas James Conaty and dedicated in 1912.
Growth however was inevitable. By 1922 the congregation had swelled to 500 members. This called for a new church a larger more substantial building. Built in the Italian Romanesque style with a tile roof this second iteration cost $30000. It could seat 450 parishioners. Dedicated in 1927 it served the community for nearly four decades.
By 1961 the parish had grown exponentially. A whopping 17000 parishioners attended. The existing building could no longer handle the crowds. Additional Sunday masses were held in the parish auditorium. Clearly a new church was needed. The current church was a monumental undertaking a feat of architectural innovation. Three pastors Fr Joseph Hill Fr James Hansen and Fr Peter McGee spearheaded the project. The architects Verge and Clatworthy designed a revolutionary structure. The semi-circular arrangement of pews around the altar was unique for its time. It was a design praised for its near perfect acoustics. This grand building with its concrete steel and brick construction and high vaulted ceiling seats 1250. It became the first of its kind in the Archdiocese a testament to faith growth and vision.
So here we stand before Saint Anthony of Padua Church a living testament to faith perseverance and growth. Its history is a fascinating journey from humble beginnings to its current grand state. A journey shaped by the unwavering devotion of its parishioners. A true landmark in Los Angeles a symbol of community and enduring spirituality.