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HISTORY OF SAINT BASIL'S
In 1919, the year after the Great War (now called World War I 1914-1918), there was a "push" for a new parish among Catholics west of Hoover Street, and in the church such initiative, when pressed, gains not only espiscopal attention, but action. Thus Bishop John Cantwell, then Bishop of Monterey-Los Angeles created our parish, on November 26, 1919. The Bishop named Father William McDermott Hughes as the pastor.
Now at the time, Father Hughes was in residence at St. Patrick's church in Watsonville. He had only recently returned from Europe where he served as an army chaplain during the war. America entered that war in 1917, vowing in the words of that popular Irish-American composer Goerge M. Cohan not "to come back till t'was over, overthere." Well when it was over, Father Hughes returned and as a "civilian" priest was waiting orders to move to a new assignment. Willingly he received the word that he had been appointed the first pastor of the new parish of St. Basil's in Los Angeles.
The Church structure is truly magnificent, winning an award from the American Institute of Architects and special commendation from the New York Times. It is a work of art which has added beauty and dignity to Wilshire Boulevard.
The Church was built as twelve towers, (a clustered kind of Stonehenge which is situated on the Wilshire plains of Southern England), here are huddled on Wilshire Boulevard in Southern California. The twelve towers are symbolic of the twelve apostles and the twelve tribes Israel. The towers are laced together by modern stain glass windows, the artistic creation of Claire Falkenstein.
They are a beautiful interplay of multicolored panes juxtaposed in such a way as to create a marvelous display of glowing light, which glows warmer as, you move towards the altar from the Wilshire entrance. Indeed the windows capture, in a symbolic way, our parish as it is today, many people of different nationalities, different cultures, different backgrounds from scores of countries, so divergent so disparate yet finding a harmony, a convergence within the church through the expression of their one faith. For more history go to About
Now at the time, Father Hughes was in residence at St. Patrick's church in Watsonville. He had only recently returned from Europe where he served as an army chaplain during the war. America entered that war in 1917, vowing in the words of that popular Irish-American composer Goerge M. Cohan not "to come back till t'was over, overthere." Well when it was over, Father Hughes returned and as a "civilian" priest was waiting orders to move to a new assignment. Willingly he received the word that he had been appointed the first pastor of the new parish of St. Basil's in Los Angeles.
The Church structure is truly magnificent, winning an award from the American Institute of Architects and special commendation from the New York Times. It is a work of art which has added beauty and dignity to Wilshire Boulevard.
The Church was built as twelve towers, (a clustered kind of Stonehenge which is situated on the Wilshire plains of Southern England), here are huddled on Wilshire Boulevard in Southern California. The twelve towers are symbolic of the twelve apostles and the twelve tribes Israel. The towers are laced together by modern stain glass windows, the artistic creation of Claire Falkenstein.
They are a beautiful interplay of multicolored panes juxtaposed in such a way as to create a marvelous display of glowing light, which glows warmer as, you move towards the altar from the Wilshire entrance. Indeed the windows capture, in a symbolic way, our parish as it is today, many people of different nationalities, different cultures, different backgrounds from scores of countries, so divergent so disparate yet finding a harmony, a convergence within the church through the expression of their one faith. For more history go to About
announcements
PARISH APPEAL COLLECTIONThere will be a second collection taken up today for the Parish Appeal Collection. As you know, two-thirds of the Parish Appeal is used to cover special projects. Please contribute generously to this special collection.
CORONATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARYPlease join us for the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, May 27th at 9:30am. It is also the last day of the Religious Education Program, and we want to congratulate all the students, especially those who received their sacraments.
MEMORIAL DAY SCHEDULEOur Rectory Office will be closed on Monday, May 29th in observance of Memorial Day. We only have one Mass in English at 9:30 a.m.
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL BUNDLE SUNDAYOn June 4th, our Parish is having a Bundle Sunday for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores. Please bring your useable clothing and useable household items on this day. Their truck will be here at our church parking lot. Please help them in their endless efforts to assist the needy. They are in great need of furniture and large appliances. Please phone (323) 224-6280 or (800) 974-3571 for free pick up of large items.
ST. JUDE THADDEUSYou are invited to join in the celebration of the Holy Mass and Novena in honor of St. Jude Thaddeus, Patron Saint of hopeless cases and things despaired, to be held here at St. Basil’s Church every Thursday at 6:00 in the evening. Please come. Thank you.
CORONATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARYPlease join us for the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, May 27th at 9:30am. It is also the last day of the Religious Education Program, and we want to congratulate all the students, especially those who received their sacraments.
MEMORIAL DAY SCHEDULEOur Rectory Office will be closed on Monday, May 29th in observance of Memorial Day. We only have one Mass in English at 9:30 a.m.
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL BUNDLE SUNDAYOn June 4th, our Parish is having a Bundle Sunday for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores. Please bring your useable clothing and useable household items on this day. Their truck will be here at our church parking lot. Please help them in their endless efforts to assist the needy. They are in great need of furniture and large appliances. Please phone (323) 224-6280 or (800) 974-3571 for free pick up of large items.
ST. JUDE THADDEUSYou are invited to join in the celebration of the Holy Mass and Novena in honor of St. Jude Thaddeus, Patron Saint of hopeless cases and things despaired, to be held here at St. Basil’s Church every Thursday at 6:00 in the evening. Please come. Thank you.