Founded: 1920
Location: 10828 Moorpark St., North Hollywood
San Fernando Region: Deanery 7

"If we wish to make any progress in the service of God, we must begin every day of our life with new eagerness and keep ourselves in the presence of God as much as possible."

St. Charles Borromeo expressed this earnest appeal in the 16th century, as if he knew that someday the North Hollywood parish named in his honor would indeed devote daily "progress in the service of God."

For 60 years this church, first as a mission then a parish, has continued the legacy of the cardinal-archbishop of Milan who died at age 46 but left a heritage of effectiveness in many areas of church life. Born to a wealthy, noble family, Saint Charles spent his life and fortune in the service of the people of his diocese. He trained for the priesthood at an early age and was appointed a Cardinal and Secretary of State at age 22, which included the administration of the Archdiocese of Milan.

His charismatic leadership and diplomacy furthered the decrees of the Council of Trent but he was also known for his compassion of the sick and dying and support for schools. In addition to his many charitable endeavors, he also founded The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. He died in 1584; Pope Paul V canonized him in 1610. St. Charles' feast day is Nov. 4.

The North Hollywood parish first was known as Immaculate Conception when the first rector, Father Anselm Bois, purchased a former Methodist church in 1921 and celebrated Mass frequently for the local Catholic families who had petitioned for a resident pastor. Father Leo Murphy followed for one year and then continued as pastor at five other parishes during his 53 years of ministry in the diocese (including 17 years at Holy Family, South Pasadena); he died in 1972.

It was in 1925, during the three-year pastorate of Father Emmett Panner, that the name of the parish changed to St. Charles Borromeo. Incomplete records span the period of 1927-36, although one parish account lists Father Michael Lalor, from Ireland, as pastor for a short time.

Not at all incomplete is the 36-year pastoral ministry of Msgr. Harry Meade, a native of Michigan who came to Los Angeles as a child, attended Loyola High School and was ordained in 1925. He headed two other parishes before his assignment at St. Charles, where he recognized the need for a larger church and in 1937 purchased seven lots from the Goykes family, parishioners.

The $50,000 church was completed in July of 1938 with a seating capacity of 600 and was reminiscent of San Carlos Mission in Carmel. The following year the new school opened staffed by Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1942 Father Meade established the mission church of Santa Susana for the Mexican population in the region. As industry flourished in the area, the mission was later closed. The new school building opened in 1947; its 1950 graduates included Roger Mahony, now Cardinal Archbishop of Los Angeles.

In 1959, the new and present church was completed, built in the style of Spanish colonial cathedrals. By this time Msgr. Meade had established the famous St. Charles choir, under the direction then, and still, of Paul Salamunovich.

During his pastorate four other churches were formed from the original parish: Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Sun Valley; St. Francis de Sales, Sherman Oaks; St. Finbar, Burbank and St. Patrick, North Hollywood. Msgr. Meade, who was moderator of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women for 20 years, died in 1978 at age 80.

Msgr. Charles Keane, of County Sligo, headed the parish for two years followed by Msgr. Arthur Thomas Kiefer, from St. Louis, a prominent educator and principal at archdiocesan high schools prior to his 16 years as St. Charles' pastor. During the 75th anniversary celebration of the parish, he told The Tidings, "We are a family here. We are a people who pull together, who always seem to respond to a need in the community."

At that time there were 60 active ministries in the parish, serving both noted celebrities and the underprivileged through the St. Charles Service Center founded in 1984. Msgr. Kiefer died in 2006 at age 87 after serving the archdiocese for 60 years.

Since 2000 the pastor has been Msgr. Robert Gallagher, from Torrance, ordained in 1973, and previously an associate at St. Charles for five years. Like his predecessor, his background is in education, as teacher and principal, which makes him well qualified to follow the wisdom of St. Charles: "If teaching and preaching is your job, then study diligently and apply yourself to whatever is necessary for doing the job well."