
Visitation Catholic Church was established in 1943. We proudly
celebrated our 65th anniversary in 2008.
From
A History of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
by Msgr. Francis J. Weber
and Sister Joanne Wittenburg, S.N.D.
"Until the late 1920's the community familiarly
known as Westchester could still be described
as "rural." In 1930, however, Mines Field became Los
Angeles Municipal Airport and aircraft companies began moving
into the area. With the advent of World War II, the growth of
the airport due to the movement of military aircraft and cargo
through Westchester coupled with the tremendous
influx of people needed in the aircraft plants led Archbishop
John J. Cantwell to establish Visitation Parish
in 1943.
Father
Thomas O'Sullivan, from Ireland, bought four acres
near Sepulveda and Manchester Boulevards in the middle of an
empty field in 1943 and celebrated Mass in a garage until a
frame building could be erected. In just four years he completed
the school, convent and rectory. In 1950 a church was erected
in a modern adaptation of Italian Renaissance architecture and
a solemn Mass was celebrated on Christmas morning. Monsignor
O'Sullivan directed the parish for forty-five of the
sixty-nine years of his priesthood and fifteen years as pastor
emeritus. He died in 1997 at age ninety-two. From Visitation
parish were formed the parishes of Saint Jerome and Saint Anastasia.
From 1980 to 1999 Father James O'Grady, also
from Ireland, served as pastor of the church on 88th Street
and retired as pastor emeritus in 1999 when Monsignor
Timothy O'Connell became pastor."
Fr.
William Brelsford was appointed Pastor July 1, 2009.
Visitation
is located just north of Los Angeles International Airport.
•CLICK
HERE To Locate Visitation Catholic Church
6561
West 88th Street • Los Angeles, California 90045 •
310.216.1145 • 310.216.1002 (Fax)
Pastor - Fr. William
J. Brelsford
Pastor Emeritus - Fr. James
F. O'Grady