Founded: August 1, 1903
Location: 1327 S. Mariposa Ave., Los Angeles
Our Lady of the Angels Region: Deanery 15

In June of 1903, Bishop Thomas J. Conaty --- having just completed a six-year term as the second rector of the Catholic University of America --- took the reins as leader of the Diocese of Monterey/Los Angeles. Recognized as an outstanding educator, an exceptional orator and an avid historian, the Irish-born prelate --- within three months of his appointment to the West Coast --- established three new parishes.

The bishop named one of the new churches on August 1 after his patron saint: Thomas the Apostle. That first century follower of Christ is probably best known both for expressing his disbelief in the resurrection, and --- when proven wrong --- for his beautiful response: "My Lord and my God." And like the first apostles, the parish near downtown L.A. has faced challenges numerous and enormous in its 103 years, yet proudly towers above Pico Boulevard as a sign of spiritual and community growth.

Nine pastors (including Father John Brady, who served four months in 1918) have shepherded the church in the Pico-Union district known as a place of refuge and cultural haven for thousands of devout, dedicated souls.

The first pastor was Msgr. John J. Clifford, a native of County Kerry, Ireland, ordained in June of 1895, the same year and month the Catholic Tidings started publishing (his ordination was listed in the first issue, and in 1906 he was named editor of The Tidings). Before the church was built on Mariposa Street, Father Clifford celebrated Mass in the Immaculate Heart chapel of the Pico Heights convent.

During his 16 years as pastor, he completed the permanent church, opened an elementary school and parish hall. For 59 years he served the diocese, organized the matrimonial tribune and was pastor at three parishes. He died in 1954 at age 82.

The next pastor, Msgr. John J. Gallagher from County Sligo, was first assigned as chaplain at Fort Yuma Indian School near the Colorado River. In 1919 he was named pastor at St. Thomas and for almost 41 years continued to foster the faith of the community, built a new school and hall and enlarged the church. He died in 1960 at age 76.

Continuing the Irish tradition, Msgr. Thomas J. O'Dwyer of County Tipperary headed the parish for six years. He was one of the best known and highly regarded leaders in the field of hospitals and health services, having served in various capacities for more than 40 years. To keep youths out of prison, he helped establish the California Youth Authority and was president of the National Conference of Catholic Charities. He died in 1966 at age 70.

From 1966 to 1970, Father James Pierse of Tralee, Ireland, headed the parish and welcomed the Sisters of Mercy to teach in the school and added Spanish Masses as the community underwent ethnic change. Msgr. William H. Atwill, a native of Santa Monica, served for many years on the committee of the annual Guadalupe procession. During his four-year pastorate a fire severely damaged the sanctuary in 1971 and was redesigned. He died in 2005 at age 89.

Father Paul Peterson, a native of Los Angeles, was a member of the largest class from St. John's Seminary ordained in 1955. St. Thomas was his first pastorate where he served for 10 years. Before his death in 1999 at age 71, Father Peterson was the chaplain at Nazareth House for 12 years. One of his funeral Masses was celebrated in Spanish, a sign of the many changes both in the neighborhood and parish as a great influx of Central America and Mexican immigrants settled in the area.

In 1985 Cardinal Timothy Manning appointed Father Dennis O'Neil, a native of Nebraska and an alumnus of Loyola University, to head St. Thomas. Having just finished five years as a missionary priest in Juneau, Alaska, Father O'Neil quickly learned Spanish in order to cope with his new parishioners. For 14 years he served in community outreach and fostered vigorous parishioner involvement. Named a monsignor in 1995, he was ordained an auxiliary bishop for the San Bernardino Diocese in 2001. Two years later he died suddenly at age 63; his former parishioners at St. Thomas "missed him terribly."

Resuming the Irish legacy is the current pastor, Msgr. Jarlath Cunnane, a native of County Sligo. Starting his pastorate in 1998, within a year he had to deal with a devastating fire that closed the church. For more than three years other sites were used for worship until the rededication Mass for the rebuilt church was celebrated in November 2002. Recently named a Chaplain of His Holiness, Msgr. Cunnane heads one of the archdiocese's busiest and most socially active parishes, whose predominantly Latino community works to spread the Good News in the example of its patron saint.