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The main church structure is an A-frame built with poured concrete and 80-foot steel beams. It was considered "radical" and "daring" at the time. It was designed by Los
Angeles architect Earl Trudeau. The church was built on a seven-acre parcel that had previously been a walnut grove. Work began in
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In
January 1994, the Northridge earthquake caused $ 1 million in damage to the church. During repairs to the church, services were held in a temporary structure on the grounds of the church; the temporary structure was dubbed "St. Mel in the Field". A $ 2 million renovation and repair program was
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Monsignor
Michael J. O'Connor, a native of County Kerry, Ireland, was assigned in 1955 to establish the parish. He is credited with choosing the church's name, selecting design of the sanctuary, development of its school. He remained at St. Mel's until his retirement in 1985. He served as pastor
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February 1956 for what was referred to as "the most modern and largest
Catholic church and school" in the San Fernando Valley. It was the first building costing more than $ 500,000 planned for Woodland Hills. Construction of the church was completed in the summer of 1958.
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In 1999, a large mural (33 feet by 24 feet) depicting angels was installed on both sides of the altar. The mural was painted by
Yugoslav artist RaDeSha and was titled "St. Mel Crystal Angels".
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In 1985, Monsignor John
Naughton took over as pastor. He retired in 1990 and was replaced as pastor by Monsignor Padraic Loftus. As of 2010, Monsignor Helmut Hefner was the church's pastor.
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until 1985 and remained at the parish into the late 1990s. During his time at St. Mel's, the parish grew from 415 families to 5,000 families. O'Connor died in 2005 at age 95.
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Before the church building was constructed, Mass was celebrated in a variety of settings including the
Tarzana Women's Club House and the Canoga Park Theater.
38:. St. Mel's parish was established in 1955. As of February 2020, Father Steve Davoren was the pastor, and Mary Beth Lutz was the principal of the school.
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The school opened in 1956 with staffing by the
Immaculate Heart Sisters. The Sisters of St. Louis assumed responsibility for staffing the school in 1958.
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ST. MEL'S WELCOMES NEW PRIEST WOODLAND HILLS PARISH SEES TRANSITION IN SENIOR PASTOR (2007)
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BELOVED MONSIGNOR DIES AT 95 PARISHIONERS REMEMBER IRISH ACCENT, VALUES, HUMOR (2005)
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was partly held in 1992. Porcaro and his family attended the church growing up.
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Catholic church and elementary school in
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California
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completed in 1996. Cardinal Roger
Mahoney presided at the rededication.
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210:"Michael J. O'Connor, 95; Led Catholic Parish for 30 Years"
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is a Catholic church and elementary school located on
254:"Clear Parcel for $ 500,000 Church and School"
188:"St. Mel Founder Has Seen 4 Decades of Growth"
398:"Angelic Mural Graces Wall of St. Mel Church"
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260:. February 23, 1956. p. 8C – via
418:CARDINAL BLESSES REJUVENATED ST. MEL (1995)
354:"Rededication Planned for Renovated Church"
382:. March 11, 1995. p. B11 – via
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232:"Shows Plans of Sanctuary for St. Mel's"
216:. July 9, 2005. p. B11 – via
194:. May 21, 1997. p. B3 – via
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36:Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California
166:"Priest, Still Smiling, to Say Goodby"
475:Roman Catholic churches in California
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276:"Fund Drive at St. Mel's Successful"
120:. St. Mel Parish. 23 November 2019
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485:1955 establishments in California
80:It was also where the funeral of
480:Elementary schools in California
142:. St. Mel School. 27 March 2019
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164:Bob Pool (January 12, 1985).
98:San Fernando Pastoral Region
327:. St. Mel's. Archived from
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451:34.16583°N 118.58722°W
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23:St. Mel's Church, 2008
298:"St. Mel's Completed"
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456:34.16583; -118.58722
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376:"Temporary Church"
63:Subsequent history
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442:118°35′14″W
469:Categories
104:References
439:34°9′57″N
118:"Clergy"
92:See also
84:drummer
42:Founding
140:"Staff"
28:St. Mel
337:2020
148:2020
126:2020
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