Here stands Saint Cecilias Catholic Church. Its walls hold stories of faith, community and rebirth. Saint Cecilias Catholic Church has served Los Angeles since 1909. The original church was dedicated in 1910. It stood on Normandie Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets.
Let’s step back to the early 20th century. Southern Los Angeles was growing. The Catholic community needed a new parish. Saint Cecilias was established to meet this need. Reverend Paul Dillon was its first pastor.
In the 1920s, Father Edward H. Brady spearheaded a new church construction. The plans were approved in 1926. The estimated cost was $225,000. The new Saint Cecilias Catholic Church was dedicated in November 1927. Bishop John Joseph Cantwell celebrated the dedication Mass.
The architecture is quite unique. It is Lombard Romanesque style. Architect Ross Montgomery designed it. The Los Angeles Times reported in 1927 that this style was a new departure. It had not been used much in Los Angeles. The church was built with reinforced concrete. Its high altar was made of carved French Caen stone. It could seat 1,000 people.
In May 1943, Saint Cecilias was consecrated. Bishop Joseph T. McGucken led the ceremony. Relics from Saint Cecilias tomb in Rome were sealed in the altar. This made it only the third consecrated church in Los Angeles.
Saint Cecilias has seen many changes. Initially, the parish was mostly white. In the 1960s, African Americans began moving in. By the mid-1990s, Latino immigrants were the majority. The church faced declining membership. The pastor did not speak Spanish. Masses were sparsely attended.
In 1997, Father Luigi Zanotto arrived. He was a Comboni Missionary. He embraced the new neighbors. He unlocked the church and its rectory. He hired a Spanish-speaking secretary. Nuns from Colombia visited residents. They asked what was needed. He held Mexican Christmas celebrations.
In 2000, Oaxacan immigrants approached Father Zanotto. They wanted to hold a Mass for their village. Hector Mata was among them. Father Zanotto encouraged them. He said the church was theirs. He entrusted them with organizing the service.
Father Zanotto knew Oaxaca well. He had served there for seven years. He understood the importance of community. He believed in empowering the parishioners.
The Oaxacans organized a Mass. Three hundred people attended. They formed a Catholic church group. They installed a painting of the Virgin of Soledad. It was a symbol of importance to Oaxacans. Saint Cecilias became a center for Oaxacan religious life.
Father Zanotto encouraged other ethnic groups. Guatemalans commissioned a statue of the Black Christ of Esquipulas. Salvadorans commissioned a statue of Salvador del Mundo. Nigerian parishioners installed a shrine to Iwene Tansi. Each group had a side altar. Each organized a monthly Mass.
By 2003, Saint Cecilias was thriving. It was a multi-ethnic parish. Father Zanotto was transferred to New Jersey. The new pastor tried to end the monthly Masses. The parishioners resisted. Another pastor was installed. He resumed the ethnic Masses.
Today, Saint Cecilias is a vibrant community. It is made up mostly of Latino immigrants. Four Spanish language Masses are held each Sunday. It stands as a testament to faith, community and the power of embracing diversity. Saint Cecilias Catholic Church truly became a school for how to live in the United States.