Beneath Pasadena’s sun stands St. Andrew’s Catholic Church a testament to faith and architectural beauty. St. Andrew’s history began in 1886. Father Patrick Harnett was assigned to create a parish. Before this, Catholics traveled far for Mass. The first Mass occurred in a hotel.
St. Andrew’s current church was built in 1927. It cost about $1 million. Many consider it a Southern California treasure. The architecture reflects early Byzantine churches. Architect Ross Montgomery and Msgr. McCarthy studied in Italy. They sought inspiration for St. Andrew’s. The Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome served as a key model.
The Los Angeles Times praised St. Andrew’s. It called it a jeweled crown on a Byzantine queen. The church marks a new epoch in religious architecture. The Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles highlighted its beauty. It noted the Romanesque campanile. It also emphasized the rich interior.
Carlo Wostry contributed stunning murals to St. Andrew’s. Though the structure was ready in 1927, murals took eight years. Wostry, an Italian painter, considered St. Andrew’s his best work. He dedicated five years to its interior. He worked both at the church and in Hollywood Hills. Parishioners loved Wostry’s work. They funded his painting of the chapel. It features the Madonna enthroned with angels. The Los Angeles Times hailed him as a Renaissance muralist. An Italian newspaper lamented the loss of his art to America.
Msgr. John Michael McCarthy led the parish for 26 years. He was known as the “adobe priest”. He loved the Mexican people. He also walked Pasadena’s streets. He offered counsel and aid. Bishop McGucken succeeded him.
Earthquakes in the 1970s and 1980s caused damage to St. Andrew’s. A Restoration Committee formed. Parishioners ensured careful repairs. They held concerts to raise funds. These concerts supported many projects. The baptistery walls were repaired. Wood paneling was removed. Lighting systems were upgraded. Stained-glass windows were also repaired.
The campanile mirrors Santa Maria in Cosmedin’s tower in Rome. This Romanesque style endured for 1,000 years. It was influenced by Constantinople. The entrance of St. Andrew’s also replicates Santa Maria in Cosmedin.
Today, St. Andrew’s Catholic Church stands as a beacon. It represents Pasadena’s rich history. Its art and architecture inspire awe. It reminds us of faith’s enduring power. So take a moment to appreciate St. Andrew’s.