Montrose church marks 75 years of service

Amber Willard

MONTROSE -- Trumpets and other horned instruments announced the entry

of Cardinal Roger Mahony into Holy Redeemer Catholic Church on Sunday

afternoon.

Mahony, from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, was at the church to

celebrate its 75th anniversary.

“Today, we gather with great thanksgiving,” Mahony told the more than

300 congregants inside the church on Montrose Avenue.

Mahony recounted highlights from the church’s past, including its

establishment in 1926, and went on to speak about the start of the Advent

season, which is celebrated in the weeks before Christmas.

“Today we begin the season by looking ahead,” Mahony said. “This is a

time when we need to recognize God’s presence in our lives in new ways.”

For many congregants, celebrating their faith has been a long-standing

family affair.

Jack Stopper, who has belonged to the church since 1955, sent all six

of his children to the Holy Redeemer School. Two of his sisters, who are

nuns, taught at the same school.

“It’s always been a nice parish, where the people are friendly and

care for each other,” Stopper said after the Mass, at a reception in the

parish’s Healy Hall.

HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS

* Nov. 19, 1925: First Mass said by Father William Stewart in Montrose

for 150 people.

* 1926: The Holy Redeemer Catholic Church was built.

* 1945: Holy Redeemer School founded.

* 1949: A convent was established on the parish grounds.

* 1951: The congregation was outgrowing its building, and the

sanctuary was moved to create more room.

* 1977: Healy Hall dedicated, in honor of Msgr. Patrick Healy’s 43

years of service.

* Dec. 2, 2001: 75th Anniversary celebrated with Mass celebrated by

Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.