Italian-Americans from all over Los Angeles gathered downtown Sept. 12 to celebrate the centennial of an old friend --- and to discover (if they didn't already know) that their old friend still has a lot of life to share with the community it has served faithfully for 100 years.

St. Peter's Italian Church, along with its church hall, Casa Italiana, is the focal point for L.A's far-flung Italian community, which turned out in force for the celebration and were urged to keep the tradition alive.

"St. Peter's remains a beacon, the mother church and spiritual home for Italians in Los Angeles," said Cardinal Roger Mahony during the Mass. "Look back and look ahead. Maintain this spiritual center and keep it alive. Pass it on to your children and grandchildren."

The day's activities included a Mass, reception and rededication of Casa Italiana (the social home for St. Peter's Italian Church). Improvements to the church and Casa Italiana were unveiled, as were a centennial history book and video.

St. Peter's was founded in 1904 on Spring Street to address the needs of Los Angeles' recently-arrived Italian immigrants. The church soon moved to North Broadway in today's Chinatown, but what was into the 1950s the "Little Italy" district near and in Lincoln Heights.

Italians eventually dispersed throughout metropolitan L.A., but St. Peter's adapted by becoming a center for special occasions and enlarging the function of Casa Italiana into a center for meetings and celebrations for church groups, as well as for Greater Los Angeles social and professional groups.

"The Italian community remained attached to the church and wants it to continue," said Mario Trecco, editor of L'Italano-Americano newspaper. "The social function of St. Peter's has actually increased, as has the ceremonial function, including feasts, funerals, weddings, baptisms."

"Italians who may belong to a suburban church like to come here to link with their ancestors and Italian heritage," added St. Peter's pastor, Father Giovanni Bizzotto of the Scalabrinian Missionaries who administer the parish and San Conrado Mission near Dodger Stadium.

St. Peter's celebrates liturgies in Italian and English, attended by Latinos and Asian Catholics in the area as well as Italians. Some 50 Italian church societies and cultural/professional clubs are based at Casa Italiana, maintaining Italian traditions and supporting the church.

Since becoming pastor in 1998, Father Bizzotto has boosted church attendance, upgraded facilities, energized the clubs, started a small seminary for young men discerning the priesthood, and enlarged migrant services with a feeding program.

"We serve Italians throughout Los Angeles and other cultures in our neighborhood, especially newcomers to America," Father Bizzotto told The Tidings.

The centennial was launched a year ago to recognize those who have nurtured the church and to stimulate participation, especially among church members' children. A centennial committee organized the Sept. 12 event and fundraising. The church received fresh paint and improved air conditioning. Casa Italiana received paint, wood paneling, a sound system and new flooring.

At the centennial banquet, attended by 450, City Councilmember Ed Reyes congratulated church members for not forgetting their roots, and promised that a new park across the street will add local appeal.

Italian Consul General Diego Brasioli told the audience that he and his family feel at home at St. Peter's. He's trying to build a closer relationship between the downtown and West Los Angeles Italian communities.

Two priests were singled out for keeping St. Peter's vital. Father Michael Cecere (pastor from 1943-1949), who oversaw the building of the current church structure, was a special guest. Father Luigi Donanzan (pastor from 1962-1979) was recognized for building Casa Italiana and Villa Scalabrini retirement center, and for reviving St. Peter's clubs and festivals.

St. Peter's has been and remains an important part of many people's lives. Beatrice Smaldino, for example, grew up in the neighborhood, was married at St. Peter's, and still lives nearby. "The church," she said, "has meant everything to me --- the Italian language, the family memories."

Said Gloria Carone: "Many want to reconnect with this place because they want to reconnect with their roots and with their Italian-ness." Added Stella Sciarra: "We live in Arcadia but are drawn here by our friends. It's a hub for the Italian community."

When Nick Costantini moved to L.A. from Italy in 1948, he said St. Peter's helped reduce culture shock. He was married in the church, and his two sons were baptized and confirmed there. Though he now lives in the suburbs, he remains very involved.

Said Burbank's Noema Corradi: "The centennial got everyone re-energized. It's history in the making. This church and hall are very important. We need the closeness and attachment to each other."