Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Hollywood

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Blessed Sacrament Church, 2008
Blessed Sacrament Church, 2008

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is a parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles located on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood, California. The church today serves an urban, multiethnic community and is known for, among other things, its gay and lesbian ministry and its many outreach programs, including programs to assist the poor. Founded in 1904, the parish was the home parish for many actors during the classic Hollywood era of the 1920s through the 1950s, including Bing Crosby, John Ford, Irene Dunne, Loretta Young, Ricardo Montalban and Ann Blyth. The Italian Rennaisance church, built in 1928, but not completed until 1954, received a historic preservation grant in 2000 for the J. Paul Getty Trust and is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

Contents

[edit] Ministries and outreach programs

[edit] Social Services at Blessed Sacrament

Blessed Sacrament is known for its many ministries and outreach programs. Many of those outreach programs are operated by Social Services at Blessed Sacrament, Inc., an independent tax-exempt charitable organization. The organization provides a variety of services, including showers, clothes, meals and haircuts to the area's homeless population and others in need. The program also provides referrals to shelter programs, medical and legal sources, and employment resources, as well as bus tokens and taxi vouchers for travel to important appointments and utility and rent assistance. In 2007, the center provided more than 6,500 showers, 10,000 meals and close to 1000 haircuts. The programs are run primarily by volunteers with one full-time and three part-time staff members.[1]

[edit] Ministry with Lesbian and Gay Catholics

In February 1986, after 40-hours' devotion at Blessed Sacrament, Cardinal Roger Mahony announced the formation of the parish-based Ministry with Lesbian and Gay Catholics, then called Communidad.[2] Cardinal Mahony said the goal of the new ministry was "to foster a spirit of community and fellowship among gay Catholics so that they can offer and receive mutual support in living out their lives of faith with the church."[2] In May 2006, Blessed Sacrament hosted a 20th anniversary celebration for the lesbian and gay ministry, attended by 500 people. A letter from Cardinal Mahony said the Archdiocese had been blessed by the work and leadership of "this important ministry."[2] In a Mass celebrating the ministry, Father Carlos Alarcon said the ministry had helped local gays and lesbians become stronger through the "pride of belonging" to the church. He said:

"The story of this ministry is about courage. During these 20 years, people have committed their lives to bring faith and hope to men and women who were in danger of losing their faith or experiencing hopelessness. All of us, gay or straight, parents or children, relatives and friends, we who have the privilege to being called in any way in the ministry with gay and lesbian Catholics, have become aware ... that we are a big church --- and that we have a place in the church because of our baptism. All of us have been called to stay within the church with dignity, with responsibility, with commitment, with faith and, above all, with love."[2]

[edit] Liturgy and mission statement

Father Michael Mandala, S.J., has been the pastor at Blessed Sacrament since 1998. The parish has been operated since 1914 by the Society of Jesus, more commonly known as the "Jesuits."

Blessed Sacrament offers Mass in both English and Spanish. The church offers English-language Mass on Sundays at 7:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 5:30 p.m.; weekdays (Monday through Friday) at 8:00 a.m. and 12:05 p.m.; and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. A Saturday Vigil Mass is offered at 6:00 p.m. Spanish-language Mass is offered Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and on Fridays at 7:30 p.m.[3] Blessed Sacrament's official mission statement provides:

"We, the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, gather to pray, worship and proclaim the Gospel. We celebrate our individual, family, ethnic and cultural diversity, and rejoice in our faith and oneness in the Holy Spirit. Nourished by Christ's teachings and Sacrament, we reach out to all, especially the poor and disenfranchised. We strive to live and to serve with humility and generosity. We seek to educate all, especially our young people, in the gift of God's love and presence in the world."[4]

[edit] History

[edit] Early years

Blessed Sacrament Church was formed in 1904, and the first church, which accommodated 250 people, was built on Hollywood Boulevard.[5][6][7][8] As the movie business developed in the 1910s, the population of Hollywood increased dramatically. By 1919, the old church was “literally bursting at the seams every Sunday.”[9] Enrollment at the parish school also jumped from 17 students in 1915 to 140 in 1919.[9]

Front façade of Blessed Sacrament
Front façade of Blessed Sacrament

[edit] Move to Sunset Boulevard

In 1921, the parish paid $75,000 for the land on Sunset Boulevard that is the current home of the church. Benefiting from a Hollywood real estate boom, the church later sold its existing property on Hollywood Boulevard for $300,000.[9]

The new church and school on Sunset Boulevard were designed by Thomas Franklin Power. Power designed the Blessed Sacrament School, which opened in 1923, in an Italian Renaissance style. When the new school opened, its enrollment was 370 students. Power next turned his attention to the new church, which he adapted from the Basilican style of the Italian Renaissance style.[10] The roof, however, was made of tile instead of the flat roof typical of Roman churches. Power designed the interior with flanking arches to be reminiscent of the San Paolo and St. Clement Basilicas in Rome.[10] The new church was dedicated in June 1928. With its 223-foot chimes tower, ornate exterior and seating for 1,400 people, Blessed Sacrament quickly became a Hollywood landmark.[11]

[edit] Completion of the church interior

Though the structure was completed in 1928, completion of the interior decoration and ornamentation was delayed when the Great Depression began in 1929.[9] One interior element that did move forward during the Depression was the Stations of the Cross. Noted Italian artist, Carlo Wostry, had been hired to paint murals at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Pasadena, and was also hired to paint the Stations of the Cross at Blessed Sacrament. Wostry began working on the Stations in Italy in 1930 and finished them in 1932.[9] It was not until 1951 that architect, J. Earl Trudeau, was hired to complete the interior design. Trudeau said he "chose a rather simpler treatment, featuring economy of means both in the artistic and economic senses."[9] The interior work was finally completed in early 1954.

[edit] Father McCoy: pastor from 1932 to 1957

The parish's longest-serving pastor was Father Cornelius McCoy, who was pastor for 25 years from 1932 to. 1957. He took over the parish in the middle of the Great Depression and oversaw the completion of the church. When he stepped down as pastor in 1957, the parish had 6,000 members.[12]

[edit] Economic decline and violence

In recent decades, the Hollywood area has experienced an economic decline, with large numbers of homeless and poor people living in the area. A low point for the parish came in October 1987, when a gunmen opened fire into a crowd of hundreds attending the church's carnival, spraying the area with bullets.[13] Two adults and two children (a 15-year-old and a 9-year-old) were wounded in gunfire.[14]

[edit] Repentant lingerie looter

In 1992, the church drew national media attention after a repentant man who had looted the "Frederick's of Hollywood" lingerie museum during the Los Angeles riots delivered a bag of pilfered celebrity lingerie, including Ava Gardner's "bloomers" and a push-up bra once worn by TV actress Katey Sagal, to the church's pastor, Father Bob Fambrini.[15][16][17][18] An Austin newspaper noted that Father Fambrini "may be the only priest in America to ever comfort a man who felt guilty about stealing celebrity bloomers."[19] The St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted that such an "uplifting story could only happen in Hollywood."[20]

[edit] Getty preservation grant

In July 2000, Blessed Sacrament was one of 20 Los Angeles landmarks to receive a "Preserve L.A." grant from the J. Paul Getty Trust for the preservation of historic buildings and sites throughout Los Angeles County.[21]

[edit] Father Falvey priest abuse scandal

Blessed Sacrament School, built in 1923 in the Italian Rennaisance style
Blessed Sacrament School, built in 1923 in the Italian Rennaisance style

In May 2007, The Jesuit order agreed to pay $16 million to settle claims that one of its priests, Father Mark Falvey, sexually molested four girls and five boys between 1959 and 1975 at Blessed Sacrament.[22] The plaintiffs' lawyer called Falvey "one of the most evil priests that has ever walked the halls of a church," stating that one of his victims, an 8-year-old girl, tried to commit suicide.[22] Falvey was an assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament from 1959 until his death in 1975. Falvey was never charged with a crime. One victim stated that while he was being molested by Falvey, another priest walked in and then scolded Falvey, "Why don't you close the door."[22] A Jesuit representative said he agreed with the plaintiffs' lawyer that "Father Falvey was not handled correctly by the Jesuit order," and that he "should have been removed from ministry" after the first victim.[22]

[edit] 100th anniversary

In 2004, Cardinal Roger Mahony presided at the parish's 100th anniversary Mass, which was celebrated in three languages (English, Spanish and Tagalog). Cardinal Mahony noted the parish's long tradition of outreach to the Hollywood community, especially the poor and homeless. He praised those efforts: "I am proud of you because you have done this well. It helps us identify with what Jesus is calling us to in today's Gospel."[23] Cardinal Mahony also thanked the Society of Jesus for their long history of service to the parish, and the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart, whose religious community staffed the school for many decades.[23]

[edit] Connections with the movie business

[edit] Early ties to Hollywood

Located in the heart of Hollywood, Blessed Sacrament has had close ties to the movie industry in its early years. As early as June 1916, the "popular stars of filmdom" were giving their time and talents gratis for a three-act burlesque on the "old-time melodrama" and novel specialty numbers.[24]

When the parish needed funds to build a new church in the 1920s, the movie industry, which often used the church as a shooting location, again offered its help. The movie studios including Universal and Keystone helped the parish raise funds for the new church, providing actors and equipment for the church’s fundraising events.[9] In October 1926, the Los Angeles Times reported that Blessed Sacrament was holding the "biggest bazaar ever held in cinema town, with the co-operation of practically the entire motion-picture industry" to raise funds for the new church.[25] The Times noted that the bazaar was housed under a canvas top, "with gaily decorated booths, gorgeous articles donated by the motion-picture stars, and by wealth persons engaged in other industries."[25]

The parish's history reports that the church was so central to the early movie business that the first professional organization for Hollywood's screen writers and actors (precursor to the Writers and Screen Actors Guilds) was formed at the church.[9]

Blessed Sacrament was also the site of "the annual parade of Catholic movie stars" (including Loretta Young, Irene Dunne, and Ricardo Montalban) into church for Cardinal James McIntyre’s annual Communion breakfast for the entertainment industry. It was held during Lent so the industry’s Catholics could also make their Easter duty.[26]

[edit] Celebrity weddings and funerals

Bing Crosby was married at Blessed Sacrament.
Bing Crosby was married at Blessed Sacrament.

With its location in the heart of Hollywood, Blessed Sacrament was for years the home parish to many noted actors. It was also the site of many celebrity funerals and weddings, including the following:

  • In September 1930, Bing Crosby was married to his first wife, 18-year-old Dixie Lee, at Blessed Sacrament Church.[27]
  • In September 1934, the funeral for singer Russ Columbo (who accidentally shot himself while cleaning one of his guns) was held at Blessed Sacrament, with Bing Crosby, Gilbert Roland and Zeppo Marx serving as pallbearers.[28][29]
John Wayne's daughters were married at Blessed Sacrament.
John Wayne's daughters were married at Blessed Sacrament.
  • In 1956, John Wayne's daughter, Toni, was married at Blessed Sacrament in a ceremony presided over by Cardinal James McIntyre. More than 500 guests, including Bob Hope, Ann Blyth, and Loretta Young attended.[30]
  • John Wayne's other daughter, Melinda Ann, was also married at Blessed Sacrament in a ceremony attended by Cesar Romero, Jeanne Crain, Irene Dunne, and Loretta Young. During the ceremony, Melinda started teetering at her kneeling bench, and the Duke saw his daughter in trouble and dashed from his pew to her side, catching her just as she began to fall from a fainting spell. A priest brought a chair and she sat throughout the rest of the Mass.[31]
  • In October 1959, the funeral of actor-singer, Mario Lanza, was held at Blessed Sacrament.[32] Some 1,500 people attended the funeral including Kathryn Grayson and Zsa Zsa Gabor.[33]
  • In November 1960, the funeral for Mack Sennett, innovator in slapstick comedy and known as the "King of Comedy" during his lifetime, was held at Blessed Sacrament. [34]
  • In June 1962, actor Brian Kelly (the father on the 1960s TV series "Flipper" was married to actress Laura Devon at Blessed Sacrament.[35]
  • In October 1972, the funeral for actor, Leo G. Carroll, star of the "Topper" series, was held at Blessed Sacrament.[36]
  • In November 1972, the funeral for composer, Rudolf Friml, was held there.[37]
  • In September 1973, the funeral for John Ford, Hollywood's most honored film director, was held at Blessed Sacrament.[38] [39] Ford's funeral was conducted by Cardinal Timothy Manning and attended by many of Hollywood's most famous personalitites, including John Wayne, James Stewart, Charleton Heston, Henry Fonda, Frank Capra, William Wyler, Pat O'Brien, Loretta Young and Cesar Romero.[40] Ford's biographer noted that the bronze doors to the church were donated by Ford.[40]
  • In August 1986, the funeral for actor Lorenzo Tucker, known as the "Black Valentino" in the 1920s and 1930s, was held at Blessed Sacrament.[41]

[edit] Shooting location

Blessed Sacrament has also been used as a shooting location for movies and television, including:

  • An episode of "ER" in which James Cromwell plays a bishop presiding at an ordination ceremony. Real-life Jesuits, novice Julio Lingad and Jim Siwicki, the director of the church's social services, appeared in the scene as transitional deacons.[42]
  • A scene in the film, "L.A. Confidential."[43]
  • A battle with "G-Man" in 1957's "Teenage Monster," aka "Meteor Monster," was shot on the steps of Blessed Sacrament Church.[44]

[edit] Pastors

Since its formation in 1904, Blessed Sacrament has had 21 pastors.[45] Since 1914, the pastors have been members of the Society of Jesus. The pastors who have served Blessed Sacrament are:

  1. Rev. Daniel Murphy, 1904 - 1913[46][47]
  2. Rev. William Forde, 1913 - 1914
  3. Rev. William Deeney, S.J., 1914 - 1915 (first Jesuit pastor)
  4. Rev. George Butler, S.J., 1915 - 1916
  5. Rev. John Hayes, S.J., 1916 - 1919
  6. Rev. Hugh Gallagher, S.J., 1919 - 1920
  7. Rev. Daniel Stack, S.J., 1920 - 1925
  8. Rev. John McHugh, S.J., 1925 - 1930
  9. Rev. John Ward, S.J., 1930 -1932
  10. Rev. Cornelius McCoy, S.J., 1932 - 1957 (longest serving pastor with 25 years)[12][48]
  11. Rev. Harold Ring, S.J., 1957 - 1963
  12. Rev. Joseph Carroll, S.J., 1963 - 1966
  13. Rev. Donald Kolda, S.J., 1966 - 1967
  14. Rev. Joseph O'Gara, S.J., 1967 - 1970
  15. Rev. Karl Von der Ahe, S.J., 1970 - 1978
  16. Rev. Joseph Keane, S.J., 1978 - 1982
  17. Rev. William Thom, S.J., 1982 - 1987
  18. Rev. Edward Callanan, S.J., 1987 - 1990
  19. Rev. Robert Frambini, S.J., 1990 - 1994
  20. Rev. Anastacio Rivera, S.J., 1994 - 1998
  21. Rev. Michael Mandala, S.J., 1998 -

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Welcome to Social Services at Blessed Sacrament. Social Services at Blessed Sacrament, Inc..
  2. ^ a b c d R.W. Dellinger. "Lesbian-gay ministry celebrates: 20th anniversary in archdiocese", The Tidings, 2006-05-12. 
  3. ^ Church of the Blessed Sacrament - Schedule of Masses, Horario de las Misas
  4. ^ Mission Statement for the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Hollywood, California. Church of the Blessed Sacrament.
  5. ^ "Hollywood Church Starts Its Golden Jubilee Today", Los Angeles Times, 1954-10-15. 
  6. ^ "Catholics Celebrate Church's 50th Birthday: Cardinal McIntyre Presides at Mass at Hollywood Blessed Sacrament Anniversary", Los Angeles Times, 1954-10-18. 
  7. ^ "Hollywood: Consecration Service; Republican Rally", Los Angeles Times, 1904-10-23. 
  8. ^ "TO DEDICATE FINE CHURCH", Los Angeles Times, 1904-10-22. 
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Kathy Tracy (2004). Blessed Sacrament Parish History - 2004 Centennial Edition. Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
  10. ^ a b "CATHOLICS PLAN EDIFICE: Construction to Start January 1 on Church for Parish of Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood", Los Angeles Times, 1925-12-13. 
  11. ^ "Hollywood Church Will Hold First Open House: Blessed Sacrament Priests and Nuns to Act as Guides for Sunday Visitors", Los Angeles Times, 1967-05-20. 
  12. ^ a b "Farewell Banquet Held for Hollywood Pastor: The Rev. Cornelius J. McCoy of Blessed Sacrament Church Honored by Over 700", Los Angeles Times, 1957-10-07. 
  13. ^ "Gunfire Wounds 4 at L.A. Church", San Jose Mercury News, 1987-10-12. 
  14. ^ Richard Holguin. "Boy, 14, Killed, 7 Wounded in Compton, Hollywood Shootings", Los Angeles Times, 1987-10-12. 
  15. ^ Seth Mydans. "AFTER THE RIOTS; Confessions of a Star-Struck Looter", The New York Times, 2002-05-06. 
  16. ^ Connie Cass. "LA Police take more heat; Unrest declared at an end", Forth Worth Star-Telegram, 1992-05-06. 
  17. ^ Steve Harvey. "Los Angeles; ONLY IN L.A.; Bird? Bone? Front Window? Maybe the Perpetrator Suffered a Vertigo Attack", Los Angeles Times, 2002-05-02. 
  18. ^ "AN ODD HAUL FINDS ITS WAY TO L.A. POLICE OUT OF REMORSE AND FEAR, PEOPLE ARE RETURNING WHAT WAS TAKEN", Philadelphia Inquirer, 2002-05-06. 
  19. ^ John Kelso. "Famous lingerie part of the job for priest at Hollywood church", Austin American-Statesmen, 1992-05-09. 
  20. ^ Elaine Viets. "Support Is Generous For Bra Museum", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1992-05-20. 
  21. ^ Eric Malnic. "Getty Trust Gives $1.4 Million to Preserve 20 Landmark Sites", Los Angeles Times, 2000-07-28. 
  22. ^ a b c d John Spano. "Jesuits agree to sex case payout; Nine people who say they were molested by Father Mark Falvey between 1959 and 1975 will divide $16 million from the order", Los Angeles Times, 2007-05-18. 
  23. ^ a b Sister Nancy Munro, CSJ. "Blessed Sacrament celebrates 100 years", The Tidings, 2004-10-08. 
  24. ^ "Blessed Sacrament Benefit for Church: Vaudeville Performance, Third in a Series, is Given by Film Folk at Parish Hall: 'Movie' of Religious Ceremonial Among Features", Los Angeles Times, 1916-07-04. 
  25. ^ a b "History Invests Church Festival: Hollywood Visit of Father Junipero Serra Recalled", Los Angeles Times, 1926-10-10. 
  26. ^ Arthur Jones. "Hollywood veterans keep the faith with fellow industry Catholics", National Catholic Reporter, 2002-11-08. 
  27. ^ Anne Morris. "Ba-Da-Bing", Austin American-Statesman, 2004-02-01. 
  28. ^ "Russ Columbo Funeral; Services Held in Hollywood Church for Radio Singer", The New York Times, 1934-09-07. 
  29. ^ Max Pierce. Russ Columbo: Hollywood's Tragic Crooner. Classic Images.
  30. ^ George Carpozi Jr. (1972). The John Wayne Story, p. 165. Arlington House. 
  31. ^ George Carpozi Jr. (1972). The John Wayne Story, pp. 203-204. Arlington House. 
  32. ^ "Mario Lanza's Parents Weep at Last Rites", Los Angeles Times, 1959-10-21. 
  33. ^ Armando Cesari. Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy, p. 285. Baskerville. ISBN 1880909669. 
  34. ^ "200 Attend Rites for Sennett", The New York Times, 1960-11-09. 
  35. ^ "Brian Kelly Weds Actress", The New York Times, 1962-06-26. 
  36. ^ "LEO G, CARROLL, ACTOR, 80, DEAD; Star of 'Topper' TV Series Was on Stage and Screen", The New York Times, 1972-10-19. 
  37. ^ "Rudolf Friml Dead in Hollywood at 92; Hits included 'Vagabond King' and 'Rose Marie' Wrote 'Indian Love Call,' Other Noted Songs", The New York Times, 1972-11-14. 
  38. ^ "Funeral for John Ford Set on Coast Wednesday", 1973-09-02. 
  39. ^ "Rosary Recitation Set for John Ford", Los Angeles Times, 1973-09-02. 
  40. ^ a b Joseph McBride, Michael Wilmington (1975). John Ford, pp. 11-12. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0306800160. 
  41. ^ Burt A. Folkart. "Lorenzo Tucker, `Black Valentino,' Dies", Los Angeles Times, 1986-08-21. 
  42. ^ At First Glance . . .. minims and maxims.
  43. ^ Filming locations for L.A. Confidential. imdb.com.
  44. ^ Teen Terror Collection. DVD Savant.
  45. ^ Pastors 1904-2004. Church of the Blessed Sacrament.
  46. ^ "OVERWORK ENDS PRIEST'S LIFE: FOUNDER HOLLYWOOD CATHOLIC CHURCH DIES IN EAST; Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish--Went to Chicago Seeking Much-Needed Rest--Heart Failure Superinduced by Labor Among His Flock Causes Demise", Los Angeles Times, 1913-06-10. 
  47. ^ "IMPRESSIVE LAST RITES: Late Pastor and Founder of Church of Blessed Sacrament, Hollywood, Laid at Rest", Los Angeles Times, 1913-06-17. 
  48. ^ "Services Set Tuesday for Father McCoy", Los Angeles Times, 1965-07-18. 

[edit] External links