Our Lady of Perpetual Help is located in the city of Santa Clarita, which was incorporated December 15, 1987 with a population of 147,228 and a land area of 40 square miles, making it the largest incorporation in the history of California. The city is comprised of four communities that include Newhall, Saugus, Valencia and Canyon Country. The surrounding valley communities are Acton, Aqua Dulce, Castaic and Val Verde. The Santa Clarita Valley is rich in historical events. California’s first gold rush began when a nugget was found in Placerita Canyon in 1842, causing a minor gold rush compared to the Sutter's Mill gold rush in 1848. The famous outlaw, Tiburcio Vasquez, hid out in the local mountains between 1860 and 1879. California's first oil well was producing in Pico Canyon in 1875. The collapse of the St. Francis Dam in 1928 is the state's second worst disaster, causing 450 deaths. And people all over the world have seen our beautiful area as hundreds of movies have been filmed on local ranches and trails. Celluloid cowboys Gene Autry, Harry Carey and William S. Hart have called our valley home during their careers.

     The Santa Clarita Valley covers 150 square miles and is wedged between three mountain ranges, the Sierra Pelona to the north, the San Gabriels to the east and the Santa Susanas to the south. We are 35 miles north of Los Angeles.

     There are three parishes to attend to the needs of the Catholics living in this valley, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Clare's Catholic and Blessed Kateri Tekawitha churches. A mission parish has been started in Castaic to serve the needs of the people there.

     To follow the history of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church is to follow the history of our area. Local Catholic influence can be traced to 1769, when Father Crespi, a Catholic missionary, traveled alongside a river in this valley. It was the feast of St. Clare so he named the river Santa Clara. From this comes the name of our city and valley, Santa Clarita.

     Through the years, many of the pioneer ranchers, farmers, oilmen and cowboys of the western films were parishioners and helped to develop a strong local Catholic community. Historical records show the earliest Catholic services held in town were conducted in 1883 by Rev. Peter Verdaguer who traveled from the Old Plaza Church in Los Angeles. With what frequency is not known.

     The first elementary schoolhouse in Newhall, built in 1854, was used for Mass. It was near present day Newhall Avenue and 9th St.  Newhall became a town on September 6, 1876 when the Newhall Depot, near the present junction of Bouquet Canyon Road and Magic Mountain Parkway, opened its doors for business. This was the day after the golden spike was driven into the railroad track at Lang Station in Soledad Canyon, linking northern and southern California by rail.

     Near this time, Henry M. Newhall began construction of his Southern Hotel at San Fernando Road and Market Street. By 1882, businesses and residences began to be built on Railroad Avenue.

     About 1903, Father Gay of Santa Paula celebrated Mass once a month at the home of Mrs. Charles Joseph Moore at 524 Spruce Street in Newhall. Records show that religious instruction was also given at the time.

     Between 1910 and 1912, Rev. Eugene Sugranes, C.M.F., traveled once a month from the Old Plaza Church to Newhall for services. The Mass was held in a hall at 613 Spruce Street.

     In late 1912, Father Gerald Bergan traveled from San Fernando monthly and was assisted by other priests. In 1923, the priests would come twice a month and in 1927, Mass was celebrated every week.

     The first church building was built in 1914 on Walnut Street and 10th Street. The address was 1009 Walnut Street. It was a frame building that could seat 100 people and cost $1,500 to build. Rev. Gerald I. Bergan dedicated it on Jan.15, 1915.

     There were fewer than 500 people living in the town of Newhall at that time. Today, the address would be 24509 Walnut Street.

     The second church was built of stucco at the same location. It could seat 185 people and it was completed on June 18, 1939 at a cost of $4,500. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Cawley, V.G. dedicated the building on Oct. 15, 1939. The pastor was Rev. P. O'Brien O.M.I., who traveled from San Fernando.

     The entire valley population was 4,000 people in 1940. As the area grew, it was evident that a larger church and a Catholic school were needed.

     In 1944, Archbishop John Joseph Cantwell of the Los Angeles Archdiocese announced that Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission Church would become a parish in July. He traveled to Newhall to celebrate the first Mass as a parish.

     The Archbishop said that a resident pastor would be assigned and recommended the start of a building fund.

     Records show the first baby to be baptized in the new parish was Louis Arthur John Karsten, son of John and Beatrice K. Hess Karsten. He was born June 14 and baptized July 9. On December 3, Louis Woodrow Mayer and Jeanette E. Thompson were the first couple to be married in the new parish.

     Now that OLPH had parish status, there would be set boundaries, a resident priest and financial responsibilities. The parish covered an area from 10 miles to the south, 20 miles to the west, 50 miles to the north and 30 miles to the east.

     Rev. James Leheny became pastor in 1945 and was followed by Rev. Thomas O'Malley until 1948. There were two Masses celebrated each Sunday and confessions were held on Saturday evenings.

     On May 4, 1947, Rev. Paul Kelly was the first member of OLPH to be ordained. He celebrated his first Mass as a priest in the 3-year old parish.

     A new church hall, named Our Lady's Center, was built on Walnut Street next to the church. It was dedicated on November 15, 1950 and was used until 1967.

     The parish was growing and some of the active organizations recorded were the Holy Name Society, the Council of Catholic Women, CYO, the Chiro Club and the Men's Club. The valley's population in 1950 was 7,500.

     In 1952, the church purchased property for a grade school on Newhall Avenue for $16,000. It was later decided to be too small a parcel and sold. Today, the Californian Apartments are built on the site.

     The Catholic Church in the Los Angeles area was growing along with the population. A seminary, Our Lady Queen of Angels, was planned to be built in San Fernando and our parishioners were asked to donate $4,000 for the project. This was a substantial amount of money in the early 50s, but as always, the parishioners supported their church and the pledge was completed in two years.

     Rev. Henry Banks was appointed pastor in August of 1954 and led his flock for 22 years. One of his first requests was to have a parish census with the number of children per family and the location of the houses. Rectory records had only the families' name and a box number or a route number.

     The annual church barbeque, which had been held since the 30s, was again at Saxonia Park in 1954. The main raffle prize was a new, modern appliance, an "automatic washing machine and dryer". An advertisement in The Tidings, Los Angeles' Catholic newspaper, printed the directions to the barbeque from Los Angeles as "take 99 to Route 6 and follow the signs."

     The numbers of worshippers were increasing during the 50s as tract homes were being built in the outlying areas of Saugus and what is now known as Canyon Country.

     A Mr. Gordon Gilmore in January of 1958 asked the parishioners for a 3-year pledge to aide in the construction of Holy Cross Catholic Hospital to be built in San Fernando.

     Parishioner Joanne Redmond led a group whom solicited door-to-door and collected $4,000. Once again our members helped where needed.

     Also, in January 1958, Father Banks purchased 10 acres on Lyons Avenue. A church hall (which was to become the present church), four classrooms, a faculty room and restrooms were to be the first phase of development. $50,000 was needed for the project.

     Day-to-day parish life continued with fund-raisers, social events, anniversary celebrations for the priest and nuns, and daily administering of the sacraments. The dream of a new church and school became a reality in 1961.

     Cardinal McIntyre, on August 13, 1961, celebrated the first Mass in our new Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on Lyons Avenue.

     A Signal newspaper article announced that Sunday Mass would be held at 8 and 10:30 am and at 7:30 am daily.  It went on to say "the handsome church is made of concrete block and will seat 800. The pews and altar are constructed of ash and the wainscoting is birch. Bronze features accent the altar.  A Smaltzi mosaic of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is placed over the front door."

     In 1962, grades one through four started in the new school which opened in September. Teachers were Sister Mary Coleman of the Sisters of Mercy and Ethel Morris.

     The ever expanding social event of the year, the barbeque, was moved to the new church ground and the current meat pit was dug. Records show that in 1965, 6,000 people attended the OLPH Barbeque and 3,500 dinners were sold.

     1965 added four more classrooms and a hall added to the grounds. In 1966, there were 1,050 families in the parish.  Times were changing. New wash-and-wear surplices were purchased for the priests and school principal Sister Adelaide asked the ladies to wear dresses while on the school grounds.

     Up until the mid 1960s and the construction of Interstate 5 and the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway, the Santa Clarita Valley remained a sleepy little community.  The 50s and 60s had some tract homes in Saugus and Newhall. But the planned community of Valencia, which covered 10,500 local acres, started development in 1967. Between 1960 and 1970, the valley's population leaped from 15,000 to 50,000.

     Gary Lombardi, son of longtime active members Ida and Julio Lombardi, celebrated his first Mass as a Catholic priest on April 2, 1969 in our church.

     In 1972, 204 women were in guilds under the direction of the Women's Council. During January of 1973, parishioner Don Hamilton was in the first class of 78 men to become permanent Deacons in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

     At this time, Masses in our church were celebrated with a congregation that filled the pews, sat in the choir loft and lined the aisles. More and more Catholics were moving to our parish. A decision was made to say Mass at Canyon High School auditorium for parishioners living in the north east part of the valley. Two of our priests, Father Timothy Nichols and Father Edmond Renehan, shared the duty of missionary priest each Sunday. With additional associate pastors being assigned, there was a need to expand the rectory, which was built in 1962.

     In November of 1973, two bedrooms, one bath, an additional garage and a storage area were added. About this time a CCD office, library and a storage room were added alongside the hall. Father Banks, in January of 1974, petitioned the Chancery Office for a church and multipurpose room to be built in Canyon Country and served by a resident priest. A pledge drive was initiated. The following year building began on St. Clare's Catholic Church in Canyon Country. The church would seat 800.

     The Mayfield family were baptized Catholic in our church in 1975. Son Olin was enrolled in OLPH school and went on to attend Alemany Catholic High School in San Fernando. After graduation, he attended USC and received a Bachelors Degree in 1991. That year, he entered St. John's Seminary.

     On October 4, 1976, our beloved pastor, Father Henry Banks went to Heaven. We, the parishioners, mourned our loss. We prayed that soon another spiritual leader would join OLPH who could guide and meet the needs of the growing parish. Our prayers were answered when, on January 25, 1977, Father Patrick Power became our pastor.

     In 1978, associate pastor Edmond Renehan was appointed the first pastor of St. Clare's Church. A geographical division of families was assigned to each church and many longtime supporters of OLPH now became active members of a new and developing parish.

     On May 23, 1978, Father Art Gilliland celebrated his first Mass at St. Clare's Church. Even after our sister parish, St. Clare’s was founded, OLPH remained one of the largest parishes area-wise in the archdiocese.

     During this time, the late 70s, OLPH had a tremendous surge of additional families joining. In order to keep abreast with the times, it was necessary to update and redecorate the existing facilities. Father Power arranged for stained glass windows to be added to the church, the church and buildings were repainted, and new landscaping was planted. God's house soon welcomed many new parishioners.

     In 1978, the first parish pictorial directory was published in an attempt to acquaint the parishioners with the many new faces that were arriving at the time. Father Power's concern at that time was that even though we were worshipping together and were made one in the Body of Christ we received, we often left the House of God as strangers. The pictorial directory would make parishioners more familiar with one another. In 1979, the parish celebrated our priests' anniversaries. Father John O'Toole enjoyed his 35th anniversary as a priest, Father Leo Comes marked his 41st anniversary and, on June 22, Pastor Patrick Power observed his 25th. 1981 records showed 1,470 registered parish families. On May 4, 1981, Father O'Toole went to Heaven and on February 2, 1989 Father Leo Games joined him. Parishioner Dick Karl became a Deacon in 1990 and has been an invaluable addition to the workings of our parish. The Sylmar Earthquake of February 9, 1971 caused damage to the church and school and over time repairs were made. The Northridge 6.8 Earthquake on January 17, 1994 caused extensive damage to the buildings and property at OLPH. Under Father Power's direction, four months after the disaster, the church was repaired and progress is seen on other repair projects so that a minimal of inconvenience was felt.

     OLPH parish is an active, joyous community of faith. One reason is that Father Power is interested in all aspects of parish life. He has a constant desire to find a niche for each of the parishioners in an activity that is of interest to them. To encourage spiritual growth, the parish bulletin lists more than twenty organizations where parishioners may become involved. Prayer groups, service organizations, fraternal organizations and social groups are listed.

     Our pastor has reached out to the community at large in offering the facilities for meetings not of a religious nature. It is a long tradition of our parish for the two communities to work as one.

     The RENEW Program was initiated in 1993 as an opportunity to increase the spiritual awareness as well as encouraging involvement from the church community.

     OLPH school has more students in 1994 than ever before.  The addition of a kindergarten class in 1987 and the building of a new classroom, a waiting list for enrollment, all reiterate growth of Catholic education.

     The Religious Education Program (formally known as CCD) has always been an important part of the parish. In the last ten years the elementary and junior high classes have almost doubled. The high school Confirmation Program is one of the strongest Confirmation Programs in the San Fernando Region in numbers and spirit. The high school teens also have a Teen Life Program. All these programs serve more than 1,000 students.

     The Spanish Community is a vital part of our church. The Spanish Religious Education programs have nearly doubled in size during the last few years.

     From the days of long ago when there was one Mass on Sunday to the present time when OLPH celebrates six Masses and a Spanish Mass each weekend, the growth of the parish is evident.

     Fifty years after Archbishop John Joseph Cantwell dedicated Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church as a parish, his nephew, Father Patrick Power, celebrated its jubilee  in the year of Our Lord 1994 as our pastor. For the past twenty-two years, Father Power has nourished the parishioners in their spiritual life, and under his direction, the parish will continue to foresee and meet the needs of our members as the 21st century nears.

     Our Lady of Perpetual Help watches over us as her Son, Jesus Christ, blesses His Father's house. The oral history garnered from some of the pioneers of our parish has been invaluable to telling the story of 50+ years in the life of the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

Thanks for the memories:

Gene and Maxine Doty, Joanne Redmond, Ida Lombardi, Camille Jauregui, Jeanne Sisson, Jan Pozza and Jerry Reynolds.