Fri, 01/01/2010 - 1:00am
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In the early 1920’s, two Carmelite Priests from Ireland, Fr. Bernard and Fr. Cyril, were sent to the United States to open a new foundation for the Carmelite Apostolate. Settling in southern California, the priests petitioned the Archbishop of Los Angeles and were assigned a small parish on the east side of Alhambra. The parish was officially founded on December 25, 1924, and dedicated to Blessed Therese of the Child Jesus, who would not be formally canonized by the Catholic Church until May 7, 1925. The Alhambra church is therefore quite possibly the first church in the world to be dedicated to St. Therese of Lisieux.
The chapel of the Carmelite Sisters located at 215 East Alhambra Road served as the parish church until the church-school combination building was erected at 515 North Vega Street in 1926. The first major event held at the parish was a Solemn Novena in preparation for the canonization of St. Therese on May 7, 1925.
J. Earl Trudeau, a renowned architect, drew up the plans for the present church, which was completed in 1950. The first Mass was celebrated in the new sanctuary on December 10, 1950; and it was dedicated on January 14, 1951, by Cardinal Francis A McIntyre, then Archbishop of Los Angeles. The old church was subsequently converted into the Parish Hall.
The edifice, which has the character of a shrine dedicated to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, was built in a modern Mediterranean style with a 120-foot-high bell tower. A statue of the saint was placed behind the main altar in a cascaded niche. Carmelite Father William Fenton served as pastor for two terms, a total of twelve years.
The present rectory was completed in 1957. In 1959, a new convent was built for the Sisters at 520 North Vega.
Due to an increased school enrollment, the old school and hall were demolished and the present school and parish hall of reinforced concrete and brick were completed in 1963.
Until 1930, the Dominican Sisters comprised the school’s faculty, staff, and administration. Later, the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary of the Woods consented to maintain the school until the 1980s. Since then, St. Therese School has been solely staffed by lay people. The school celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2001.
In 1966 a new organ was installed and, in response to the changes of Vatican II, the sanctuary was updated for the new Liturgy. In 2002 the organ was completely renovated.
At the turn of the millennium, the parish enjoyed the great blessing of hosting a visit from the relics of its very own patroness. Today, our parish community continues to follow the way of our patroness with unshakeable confidence in God’s love.
