OUR HISTORY
1923 The Parish is Born
March 14, 1923: St. Anne Parish is officially established by Bishop John J. Cantwell of the Los Angeles-Monterey Diocese.
April 1923: Fr. William F. Verhalen is appointed the first pastor; the first Mass is held in a parishioner’s home.
July 1923: Construction begins on the first church building—a modest, one-story wooden structure on the corner of Borchard Avenue and Sycamore Street.
1939–1941 – A Permanent Home
October 1939: Fr. Christopher J. Bradley is appointed pastor.
November 30, 1941: A new, larger church with an 80-foot bell tower is dedicated. It cost $35,000 and stood as a landmark in the neighborhood.
1945 – The School Opens
St. Anne Parish School is founded under Fr. Bradley’s leadership.
Operated by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the school begins with a single-story structure: four classrooms, an office, and restrooms.
1947–1964 – School Expansion
Over this period, the school expands significantly to accommodate a growing student body.
Today, the school serves Preschool through 8th grade.
1949 – Convent Built
A convent is constructed nearby, with a chapel modeled after the main church.
It is now home to the Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross.
Post-1964 – Church Renovations
Multiple updates modernize and beautify the church:
New tabernacle, pipe organ, and marble altars
Expanded seating capacity
Aesthetic upgrades
Air conditioning added in recent years (used selectively due to cost)
2000–Present – Community and Continuity
2000: Monica Aguilar begins serving as the parish’s business manager—she was baptized at St. Anne in 1982 and calls it “home.”
The parish grows to include about 5,000 members, with six weekend Masses (three in Spanish, two in English).
July 26: Annual Feast of St. Anne celebrated joyfully each year.
2022–2023 – Centennial Celebration
September 2–3, 2023: St. Anne Parish celebrates 100 years of service and faith.
Celebrations include: mariachi performances by school students, traditional food, solemn processions, and Mass with Bishop Kevin Vann and Bishop Timothy Freyer.
Former priests return to honor the legacy.
Parishioners contribute old family photos for a commemorative banner.
A papal blessing is received to mark the centennial.