St. Ambrose Church (West Hollywood, California) Explained

St. Ambrose Church
Fullname:Saint Ambrose Church
Location:1281 North Fairfax Avenue, West Hollywood, California
Country: United States
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Dedication:St. Ambrose
Dedicated Date:May 20, 1951
Architect:Ross Montgomery
Diocese:Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Division:Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region
Archbishop:José Horacio Gómez
Bishop:Matthew Elshoff
Priest:Fr. Dennis Marrell

St. Ambrose Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Church in West Hollywood, California.[1] [2] The current parish church is located at 1281 North Fairfax Avenue.

History

The parish was organized by Fr. Thomas N. O'Toole in 1922, and held its first services at the former Granada Theatre near Sunset and Gardner Street on November 26. Work on a permanent church, designed by architect Ross Montgomery, began in 1923, with the first services held on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1924. It was dedicated by Archbishop John Joseph Cantwell on May 18, 1924.[1]

The growing congregation acquired the adjacent land in 1929, on which it opened a parochial school in 1935, a convent in 1937, and a rectory in 1949. Construction on the current church began in 1950, and Archbishop James Francis McIntyre presided over the dedication of the current church on May 20, 1951.[1]

As a child, Roger Wagner (1914-1992) was an organist in this church.[3]

Francesca Hilton's funeral was held at the church.[4]

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20120509012241/http://www.st-ambrose.com/ch_01.html Official website, History
  2. http://local.yahoo.com/info-20418590-st-ambrose-catholic-church-west-hollywood Yahoo! Local
  3. The Voice of Chorus America, Chorus America, 1992, Volumes 16-17, p. 28 https://books.google.com/books?id=okBLAAAAYAAJ&q=%22St.+Ambrose+Church%22+%22west+hollywood%22
  4. Web site: Rest in Peace: Zsa Zsa Gabor's Daughter Francesca Hilton to be Buried Near Marilyn Monroe. 22 January 2015 .