Founded: 1893
Location: 7215 Newlin Ave., Whittier
San Pedro Region: Deanery 18
Jesus, Mary, Saints, angels and liturgical feasts all represent the titles of churches and missions, whether in this archdiocese or other parts of the country, as a standard practice. It is rare, though, to have a city named for a poet --- but Whittier can claim that singular honor.
In 1887, the Quaker colony that first populated the area selected 19th century American abolitionist and fellow Quaker John Greenleaf Whittier as the city's namesake. The New England native gained fame as both an ardent anti-slavery spokesman and a well-known writer of hymns and poems. At the end of the Civil War, he wrote to a friend: "While we may thank God on the prospect of the speedy emancipation of the slaves, we must not for a moment forget that from this hour a new and mighty responsibility devolves upon us to aid, direct and educate these million left free."
Though he never had the opportunity to visit the town before he died in 1892, he dedicated a poem to the town: "My name I give to thee."
A year after his death, the "Church of Our Lady" was dedicated in Whittier by Bishop Francis Mora. St. Mary of the Assumption is one of four archdiocesan parishes named for the principal feast of Our Lady celebrated August 15, a Holy Day of Obligation that was declared a dogma of the church in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.
The first two pastors were diocesan priests, Fathers Alois Montenarelli and Patrick Grogan. In 1897 Bishop George Montgomery placed the parish under the direction of the Vincentians of St. Vincent's College (the forerunner of Loyola University). Father D. J. Hurley usually came from the college on the weekend to celebrate Mass for the few Catholics then residing in the area. He was followed by Father James More (until 1910), then Father Eugene Antill.
A serious fire on March 19, 1912 completely destroyed the small church; all that was saved was the heavy bell in the tower that was used in the new construction. Until a new church was completed in 1914, services were held in a house on Greenleaf Avenue. Bishop John Cantwell dedicated the second St. Mary's July 1918, the same year that the Knights of Columbus Council was instituted with Joseph Scott heading the team.
Bishop Cantwell asked the Redemptorist Order to take charge of the Whittier parish in May 1922, and ever since the order has continued in that service. The Redemptorists --- founded by St. Alphonsus in Italy in the 18th century and confirmed as a religious order by Pope Benedict XIV --- are noted for preaching missions and retreats. Father Marcellus Ryan was St. Mary's first Redemptorist pastor and served until 1927. The parish school opened in 1923, staffed by Dominican Sisters from Houston, Texas.
Father Alexander Chapoton succeeded Father Ryan and during his six years started the Catholic Daughters, Altar Society, Holy Name Union and St. Mary's Parents Club. Missions from the parish were established in Pico Park, Los Nietos, Murphy Ranch, Jimtown and Rivera. Father Edward Mattingly then served for nine years, followed by Father Clement Wagner and then (from 1949 to 1956) Father Nicholas Meissen, from Inglewood. After his pastorate, Father Meissen preached missions along the West Coast and Alaska for 10 years.
The parish grew rapidly during the post-war years and eight new parishes were established from the original St. Mary's territory. The Mission House on Newlin opened in 1952 as a residence for the Redemptorists who conduct parish missions, serve at Nelles School for Boys and St. Paul High School. By 1953 there were 16 classrooms for the elementary school with an enrollment of 900 students.
During the pastorate of Father F. Philip Aggeler, a native of Wheaton, Ill., plans for a new church were completed and Cardinal James Francis McIntyre dedicated the third St. Mary's in April 1959. The original 1895 bell from the first structure was placed in the new 100-foot tower of the contemporary-style church of reinforced concrete construction.
Father Vincent Molthen, from Compton, was named pastor at the time of the diamond jubilee of the parish and served for 13 years, followed by Father William Peterson who was pastor until 1987. During the pastorate of Father Donald MacKinnon (1987-89), the Whittier Narrows earthquake (6.1) struck Oct. 1, 1987. St. Mary's was the hardest hit in the archdiocese; the school building was condemned and the church's steeple and bells were damaged.
Eventually, repairs were made under the pastorate of Father Enrique Lopez, of Riverside, (1989-1999), followed by Father Jose Uribe Lara, of Mexico (1999-2005). Since last fall, the pastor has been Father Jose Chavez, of New Mexico. |