St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church explained

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St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church
Location:11967 Sunset Blvd., Brentwood, Los Angeles, California
Country:United States
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Website:www.saintmartinoftours.com
Founded Date:Parish founded in 1946
Dedicated Date:Church building dedicated November 1947
Status:Parish church
Functional Status:Active
Architectural Type:Moorish
Groundbreaking:February 9, 1947
Archdiocese:Los Angeles
Division:Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region
Archbishop:José Horacio Gómez
Bishop:Matthew Elshoff
Pastor:Fr. Paul K Fitzpatrick

St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church is a Catholic church in the Los Angeles Archdiocese, Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region. The church is located on Sunset Boulevard in the affluent Brentwood section of Los Angeles, California.

History

The parish of St. Martin of Tours in Los Angeles was founded in 1946. The land acquired for the construction of the church was formerly an orchard on the estate of actor Gary Cooper.[1] Ground was broken for the construction of the church on February 9, 1947, and the cost of the church was estimated at $150,000 with an additional $25,000 for furnishings.[2] The church was dedicated in November 1947.

The parish has been served by two pastors for most of its existence. Father Augustine C. Murray was the first pastor, serving in that capacity for 28 years from 1946 to 1974. Lawrence Monsignor O'Leary later served as pastor for 24 years from 1979 to 2003.[3]

In March 1949, the church was damaged in a fire set by an arsonist described by the Los Angeles Times as a "wild-eyed" and "crazed 25-year-old UCLA art student". After setting the church on fire in the early morning hours, the arsonist, dressed in a well-cut flannel suit, stood in the middle of the church parking lot screaming, "The church is afire. Let her burn. Let her burn." When the pastor and staff tried to extinguish the fire, the arsonist tried to block their passage, struck a staff member in the face, and threw a statue at the fire.[4] The fire caused $5,000 in damages, and the following day, Father Murray said Mass in the church and urged forgiveness for the young man who had set the fire: "Let us pray for the poor boy who didn't know what he was doing. Let us pray that Almighty God may give him back his health."[5]

In 1983, the parish built a parish center that is used for education, social functions, meetings and entertainment. The church was renovated in 1989.[3]

Effective July 1, 2021, Fr. Paul Fitzpatrick was named pastor of St. Martin of Tours.

Architecture

The church building is designed in the Moorish style.

St. Martin of Tours School

In 1954, St. Martin of Tours School was opened. It was operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet until 1979.[3]

In 1998, the school added a new wing, which included administration offices, a library, science lab and reading/math lab.[3]

Today, St. Martin of Tours is Los Angeles' premier Preparatory Academy for students in grades K-8, and home to the only STEM Network Partner school within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The school provides a rigorous academic program for students and offers the following:

Association with celebrities

The parish is located in an affluent section of Los Angeles that is the home of numerous celebrities and prominent business persons.

Movie and stage actor Frank Fay was one of the founding members of the parish, and Mass was celebrated in the pool house of Fay's estate before the completion of the church building in 1947.[3]

The church was built on a site adjacent to the estate of movie actor Gary Cooper. In 1979, the parish purchased Cooper's estate. The house was used as a convent, and the grounds were used as a playground for the students at St. Martin of Tours School and for church parking. The house was sold in 1980 after the Sisters of St. Joseph ceased operating the school.[3]

In 1948, parishioners Frank Fay and Joe E. Brown began the tradition of an annual social event that was originally known as "Murray's Follies" and later became known as the "Leprechaun Ball."[6] The Leprechaun Ball is an ongoing tradition at the parish. Celebrities and parishioners who have assisted with the event over the years include Richard Egan, Edmond O'Brien, Maureen O'Hara, Donald O'Connor, Steve McQueen, Barron Hilton, Dennis Day, the Lennon Sisters, the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, and Pat O'Brien.[3] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

Over the years, St. Martin has been the site of many celebrity weddings, baptisms and funerals, including the following:

Mass schedule

Masses at St. Martin of Tours are in the English language. The regular weekend Mass schedule is Saturdays at 5:30 p.m., and Sundays at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. Weekday Mass is offered Monday through Saturday at 8:15 a.m.[27]

Notes and References

  1. News: St. Martin of Tours Church to Mark 40th Anniversary With Outdoor Mass. Los Angeles Times. 1986-10-05.
  2. News: Ground Broken for Church. Los Angeles Times. 1947-02-10.
  3. Web site: St. Martin of Tours: About Us. St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. 2009-11-26.
  4. News: Priests Battle Student as Church Altar Burns. Los Angeles Times. 1949-05-22.
  5. News: BLAZE FAILS TO HALT WORSHIP: Priest Prays for Student Accused of Setting Fire to Church Altar. Los Angeles Times. 1949-05-23.
  6. Web site: St. Martin of Tours: Leprechaun Ball. St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. 2009-11-26.
  7. News: JESSIE JEAN MARSH. Brentwood Church Members Will Dance Amid Shamrocks at Hilton. Los Angeles Times. 1958-03-09.
  8. News: Leprechaun Decor to Brighten Church Ball. Los Angeles Times. 1959-03-15.
  9. News: Leprechaun Ball Will Aid Parish. Los Angeles Times. 1961-03-12.
  10. News: Leprechaun Ball to Have Air of Ireland. Los Angeles Times. 1963-03-03.
  11. News: Leprechaun Ball Slated by Church. Los Angeles Times. 1965-03-11.
  12. News: Irish Motif to Pervade Church Ball. Los Angeles Times. 1969-03-06.
  13. News: Parish Will Mark 25th Birthday. Los Angeles Times. 1971-03-11.
  14. News: Leprechaun Ball to Aid School Fund. Los Angeles Times. 1972-03-16.
  15. News: Film Notables Attend James Gleason Rites. Los Angeles Times. 1959-04-16.
  16. News: Margaret O'Brien and Harold Allen Jr. Wed. Los Angeles Times. 1959-08-09.
  17. News: Gene Fowler Mass Today. Los Angeles Times. 1960-07-06.
  18. News: Funeral Mass Set for Pat O'Brien. Los Angeles Times. 1983-10-18.
  19. News: Actor Edmond O'Brien, 69, Dies; Won Oscar in 1954. Los Angeles Times. 1985-05-09.
  20. News: Richard Egan, 65, Dies; Portrayed Rugged Heroes. Thackrey Jr.. Ted. July 22, 1987. Los Angeles Times.
  21. Web site: Churches of the Stars: St. Martin of Tours. Seeing Stars. 2009-11-25.
  22. Bissinger. Buzz. Buzz Bissinger . Caitlyn Jenner: The Full Story. Vanity Fair. June 25, 2015. June 25, 2015.
  23. News: Simpson's Ex-Wife and Her Friend Are Buried Mourning. Newton. Jim. June 17, 1994. April 30, 2017. Hall. Carla. Los Angeles Times.
  24. News: Others' Words Can't Do Justice. J. A.. August 22, 1998. April 30, 2017. J. A. Adande. Adande. Los Angeles Times.
  25. News: Thousands Turn Out to Pay Tribute to Voice of the Lakers. Lobdell. William. August 10, 2002. April 30, 2017. McCartney. Anthony. Landsberg. Mitchell. Los Angeles Times.
  26. Web site: Jane W. Wyatt. New Netherlands Project. 2009-12-04.
  27. Web site: St. Martin of Tours Mass and Confession Schedule. St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. 2021-03-31.