Nestled among the industrial plants and warehouses in the City of Commerce, inside the triangle formed by Washington and Atlantic Boulevards and Eastern Avenue, is a fairly small residential area --- and the parish community of St. Marcellinus.

At certain times of the day it seems that there are more semi-trucks on the streets than family vehicles, but to many residents of the area this is still home, and they travel by bus, bicycle and on foot to their parish church. In fact, so many attend church on Sunday mornings via Dial-a-Ride that the City of Commerce sends a large bus to their homes.

Founded in 1958, St. Marcellinus is still home to many of the parish's first families who often speak of the days before the church was built and parishioners went to Mass in a garage, or over a local restaurant. Today, after attending weekday Mass, many join together for coffee, toast and breakfast at Lucky's Burgers on Atlantic Boulevard.

At one table are Pat Chavez, Alice Sterling and Victoria Narez. Alice is active in the Altar Society; Victoria walks to church early in the morning, unlocks the church and prays; Pat was just baptized last Easter.

Nearby is Richard Ortiz who, as a young boy, mowed the lawn around the church and took care of the garden --- and now comes in from Whittier to bring his 94-year-old mother, Onida, to Mass. She still lives near church and he joins her with the other "old-timers." Though nearly all were born in the United States, they enjoy going to Mass in Spanish; it is their language of prayer, they say.

It is not uncommon to find three generations of parishioners attending Mass on Sundays. Many tell the same story as Angelita and Alfonso Marquez.

They were married in 1953 and moved to the parish in 1960, just after it was opened. They raised their ten children at St. Marcellinus, sending them to local public schools. They chose their house on the basis of two important details: proximity to their church, and nearness and quality of the schools.

Alfonso worked at whatever jobs he could find, originally coming to this country as a "bracero" from Mexico. The children all worked as they grew older, but Angelita and Alfonso were able to provide six of their ten children a college education, sending one of their youngest to Loyola Marymount University.

"I don't know how we made it," says Angelita. It was never easy. They did everything as a family, then and now, as their children join them for special celebrations. "We have had a good life," says Alfonso.

Angelita taught religious education in the parish and still handles registration for classes as grandchildren of original parishioners register. She assists Mary Lou McKeever, director of religious education.

"I feel that the religious education program is very important in terms of evangelization, for parents and children," says McKeever. Classes are taught in both Spanish and English, with Bible study on Tuesdays. "It's vital for the church," says McKeever. "It's what holds it all together. We have wonderful families."

Of his parishioners, veteran pastor Father Jules Mayer says: "I tell my people this at least twice a year: that the most pleasant surprise of my priesthood is how good they really are. I am just amazed by how good they are. I can appreciate what they go through to practice their faith. I am in awe when I see how much they give, and what they have to give up in order to give their time and talent."