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Overview

This was the first parish church to serve the Roman Catholic community of Long Beach, CA.

Building History

Saint Anthony Parish Church was the first Roman Catholic church founded in Long Beach, CA. Its web site stated in 2021: "Saint Anthony Parish, established in 1902, is the first Roman Catholic Church in Long Beach. It is considered the “Mother Church,” as it is the predecessor of the other parishes in Long Beach." (See Saint Anthony Parish Community.org, "Our Parish," accessed 01/19/2021.) In its earliest years, Father Ramon M. Ferrar, who had been transferred from the nearby port city of Wilmington, led the parish. (See Long Beach, California, City Directory, 1907, p. 183 and historylosangeles.blogspot.com, "St. Anthony Catholic Church in Long Beach," published 09/06/2010, accessed 01/19/2021.)

Los Angeles architects Hudson and Munsell had produced plans for Saint Anthony's Church in Long Beach, CA, by 10/1902. This congregation in Long Beach has erected three churches, this first one seating 300. A second, larger facility was built in 1913 but was fatally damaged in the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake. The third and current church was begun after 1933; the notable mosaic on its front facade, depicting Mary's Assumption, was added to mark the church's 50-year anniversary in 1954. Contemporary Catholic churchmen were added as spectators in the mosaic including Pope Pius XII (1876-1958), Cardinal James Francis McIntyre (1886-1979) and Bishop Timothy Manning (1909-1989), among others. The "History Los Angeles County" blog stated: "According to a story in the Times from September 1954, the mosaic is based on a painting by Borgognone in Milan, Italy in the Brera Gallery." (See "St. Anthony Catholic Church in Long Beach,"Accessed 01/29/2012.)

Demolition

Saint Anthony's Parish Church was demolished in about 1913.

PCAD id: 16540