St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church

Coordinates: 34°03′32″N 118°28′28″W / 34.05889°N 118.47444°W / 34.05889; -118.47444

St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church

Location	11967 Sunset Blvd., Brentwood, Los Angeles, California
Country	United States
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	www.saintmartinoftours.com
History
Founded	Parish founded in 1946
Dedicated	Church building dedicated November 1947
Architecture
Status	Parish church
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Moorish
Groundbreaking	February 9, 1947
Administration
Archdiocese	Los Angeles
Division	Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region
Clergy
Archbishop	Roger M. Mahony
Bishop(s)	Edward W. Clark
Priest(s)	Fr. Ben Le (administrator)
Assistant priest(s)	Fr. Donal Keohane
Pastor(s)	Msgr. Lawrence O'Leary (pastor emeritus)

St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic church and parish in the Los Angeles Archdiocese, Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region. The church is located on Sunset Boulevard in the affluent Brentwood section of Los Angeles, California.

History

The parish of St. Martin of Tours in Los Angeles was founded in 1946.^[1] The land acquired for the construction of the church was formerly an orchard on the estate of actor Gary Cooper.^[2] Ground was broken for the construction of the church on February 9, 1947, and the cost of the church was estimated at $150,000 with an additional $25,000 for furnishings.^[3] The church was dedicated in November 1947.

The parish has been served by two pastors for most of its existence. Father Augustine C. Murray was the first pastor, serving in that capacity for 28 years from 1946-1974. Monsignor Lawrence O'Leary later served as pastor for 24 years from 1979-2003.^[1]

In March 1949, the church was damaged in a fire set by an arsonist described by the Los Angeles Times as a "wild-eyed" and "crazed 25-year-old UCLA art student". After setting the church on fire in the early morning hours, the arsonist, dressed in a well-cut flannel suit, stood in the middle of the church parking lot screaming, "The church is afire. Let her burn. Let her burn." When the pastor and staff tried to extinguish the fire, the arsonist tried to block their passage, struck a staff member in the face, and threw a statue at the fire.^[4] The fire caused $5,000 in damages, and the following day, Father Murray said mass in the church and urged forgiveness for the young man who had set the fire: "Let us pray for the poor boy who didn't know what he was doing. Let us pray that Almighty God may give him back his health."^[5]

In 1983, the parish built at parish center that is used for education, social functions, meetings and entertainment. The church was renovated in 1989.^[1]

As of 2009, the parish was served by Father Ben Le, administrator, Monsignor Lawrence O'Leary, pastor emeritus, and Father Donal Keohane.^[6]

Architecture

The church building is designed in the Moorish style.^[7]

St. Martin of Tours School

In 1954, St. Martin of Tours School was opened. It was operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet until 1979.^[1]

In 1998, the school added a new wing, which included administration offices, a library, science lab and reading/math lab.^[1]

Association with celebrities

Front entrance to St. Martin of Tours

The parish is located in an affluent section of Los Angeles that is the home of numerous celebrities and prominent business persons.

Movie and stage actor Frank Fay was one of the founding members of the parish, and mass was celebrated in the pool house of Fay's estate before the completion of the church building in 1947.^[1]

The church was built on a site adjacent to the estate of movie actor Gary Cooper. In 1979, the parish purchased Cooper estate. The house was used as a convent, and the grounds were used as a playground for the students at St. Martin of Tours School and for church parking. The house was sold in 1980 after the Sisters of St. Joseph ceased operating the school.^[1]

In 1948, parishioners Frank Fay and Joe E. Brown began the tradition of an annual social event that was originally known as "Murray's Follies" and later became known as the "Leprechaun Ball."^[8] The Leprechaun Ball is an ongoing tradition at the parish. Celebrities and parishioners who have assisted with the event over the years include Richard Egan, Edmond O'Brien, Maureen O'Hara, Donald O'Connor, Steve McQueen, Barron Hilton, Dennis Day, the Lennon Sisters, the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, and Pat O'Brien.^[1]^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]

Over the years, St. Martin has been the site of many celebrity weddings, baptisms and funerals, including the following:

In 1951, the daughter of Tyrone Power and Linda Christian, Romina Francesca, was baptized at St. Martin of Tours.^[7]
In April 1959, the funeral of Irish-American actor James Gleason was held at St. Martin of Tours. The requiem mass at St. Martin's was attended by, among others, John Wayne, Pat O'Brien, Frank McHugh.^[17]
In August 1959, actress Margaret O'Brien was married to art student Harold Robert Allen, Jr., at St. Martin of Tours. The bridesmaids included Anna Maria Alberghetti.^[18]
In July 1960, the funeral for author and journalist Gene Fowler was held at St. Martin of Tours. Pallbearers at the funeral included former heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey, Jimmy Durante, and Randolph Hearst, and chants were sung by the Roger Wagner Chorale.^[19]
On April 20, 1963, fine artist Kristin Harmon married actor and singer Ricky Nelson
in April 1963, artist Kristin Harmon married actor, singer Ricky Nelson
In October 1983, the funeral for Pat O'Brien, "the prototypical charming Irishman in scores of films," was held at St. Martin of Tours.^[20]
In May 1985, the funeral for Academy Award-winning actor Edmond O'Brien was held at the church.^[21]
In July 1987, the funeral for Golden Globe-winning actor Richard Egan was held at the church.^[22]
In March 1994, the funeral for actor and comedian John Candy was held at St. Martin of Tours. The funeral was attended by many actors and celebrities, including Tom Hanks, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Martin Short, and Rick Moranis. The eulogy was given by Dan Aykroyd.^[7]
In June 1994, the funeral of murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson, ex-wife of O.J. Simpson was held at St. Martin of Tours. The funeral occurred amid "the buzz of media helicopters" and a "phalanx of reporters and camera people" flanking Saltair Avenue as suspected killer O.J. Simpson arrived at the funeral with the couple's children, Justin and Sydney. Nicole Simpson's light wood casket covered with a spray of white roses was taken to the church in a white hearse. Caitlyn Jenner (then Bruce),^{[lower-alpha 1]} Steve Garvey and Al Cowlings were among those in attendance.^[24]
In August 1998, the funeral for Pulitzer Prize-winning sportswriter Jim Murray was held at St. Martin of Tours. The funeral was attended by numerous sports, business and entertainment celebrities, including Mike Tyson and Peter Falk. Jack Whitaker delivered a eulogy in which he said, "Once again, he has out-written us all, because he is his own eulogy."^[25]
In August 2002, St. Martin of Tours was the site of the funeral of Los Angeles Lakers announcer Chick Hearn. The funeral mass was given by Cardinal Roger M. Mahony and attended by sports legends and celebrities, including Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, California Gov. Gray Davis, Vin Scully, John Wooden, and Jack Nicholson. In addition to 400 present at St. Martin, the funeral was simulcast to 19,000 fans at Staples Center and broadcast on Los Angeles television stations.^[26] In his eulogy, Cardinal Mahony told mourners: "I am going to go outside and look up in the sky, because I think for the last time we will see the meteor go by, and we will wave so long. This one's in the refrigerator."^[26]
In 2006, the funeral mass for Jane Wyatt was held at St. Martin of Tours.^[27]
On 12 December 2013, Fergie and Josh Duhamel had their infant baptized at St. Martin of Tours.^[28]

Mass schedule

Masses at St. Martin of Tours are in the English language. The regular weekend mass schedule is Saturdays at 8:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and Sundays at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. Weekday masses are offered Monday through Friday at 7:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m.^[29]

Notes

↑ Jenner changed her name due to gender transition in 2015.^[23]

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "St. Martin of Tours: About Us". St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
↑ "St. Martin of Tours Church to Mark 40th Anniversary With Outdoor Mass". Los Angeles Times. 1986-10-05.
↑ "Ground Broken for Church". Los Angeles Times. 1947-02-10.
↑ "Priests Battle Student as Church Altar Burns". Los Angeles Times. 1949-05-22.
↑ "BLAZE FAILS TO HALT WORSHIP: Priest Prays for Student Accused of Setting Fire to Church Altar". Los Angeles Times. 1949-05-23.
↑ "St. Martin of Tours Staff Directory". St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
1 2 3 "Churches of the Stars: St. Martin of Tours". Seeing Stars. Retrieved 2009-11-25.
↑ "St. Martin of Tours: Leprechaun Ball". St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
↑ JESSIE JEAN MARSH (1958-03-09). "Brentwood Church Members Will Dance Amid Shamrocks at Hilton". Los Angeles Times.
↑ "Leprechaun Decor to Brighten Church Ball". Los Angeles Times. 1959-03-15.
↑ "Leprechaun Ball Will Aid Parish". Los Angeles Times. 1961-03-12.
↑ "Leprechaun Ball to Have Air of Ireland". Los Angeles Times. 1963-03-03.
↑ "Leprechaun Ball Slated by Church". Los Angeles Times. 1965-03-11.
↑ "Irish Motif to Pervade Church Ball". Los Angeles Times. 1969-03-06.
↑ "Parish Will Mark 25th Birthday". Los Angeles Times. 1971-03-11.
↑ "Leprechaun Ball to Aid School Fund". Los Angeles Times. 1972-03-16.
↑ "Film Notables Attend James Gleason Rites". Los Angeles Times. 1959-04-16.
↑ "Margaret O'Brien and Harold Allen Jr. Wed". Los Angeles Times. 1959-08-09.
↑ "Gene Fowler Mass Today". Los Angeles Times. 1960-07-06.
↑ "Funeral Mass Set for Pat O'Brien". Los Angeles Times. 1983-10-18.
↑ "Actor Edmond O'Brien, 69, Dies; Won Oscar in 1954". Los Angeles Times. 1985-05-09.
↑ "http://articles.latimes.com/1987-07-22/news/mn-3395_1_richard-egan". Los Angeles Times. 1987-07-22. External link in |title= (help)
↑ Buzz Bissinger (June 1, 2015). "Introducing Caitlyn Jenner". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
↑ Jim Newton, Carla Hall (1994-06-17). "Simpson's Ex-Wife and Her Friend Are Buried Mourning: Separate services are held. Ex-football star attends Nicole Simpson's funeral with their children". Los Angeles Times.
↑ J.A. Adande (1998-08-22). "Jim Murray: 1919-1998; Others' Words Can't Do Justice". Los Angeles Times.
1 2 William Lobdell, Anthony McCartney and Mitchell Landsberg (2002-08-10). "Thousands Turn Out to Pay Tribute to Voice of the Lakers; Funeral: Chick Hearn is eulogized at Brentwood church, honored by fans at Staples Center". Los Angeles Times.
↑ "Jane W. Wyatt". New Netherlands Project. Retrieved 2009-12-04.
↑ Fergie and Josh Duhamel celebrate baby Axl's baptism
↑ "St. Martin of Tours Home Page". St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Retrieved 2009-12-04.

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Ordinaries of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Bishop of Two Californias	Francisco García Diego y Moreno

Bishop of Monterey	Joseph Sadoc Alemany

Bishops of Monterey-Los Angeles	Thaddeus Amat y Brusi Francisco Mora y Borrell George Thomas Montgomery Thomas James Conaty John Joseph Cantwell

Bishop of Los Angeles-San Diego	John Joseph Cantwell

Archbishops of Los Angeles	John Joseph Cantwell James Francis Cardinal McIntyre Timothy Cardinal Manning Roger Cardinal Mahony José Horacio Gómez

Auxiliary bishops, current	Thomas John Curry Gerald Eugene Wilkerson Edward W. Clark Oscar Azarcon Solis Alexander Salazar Joseph Brennan David O'Connell Robert Barron

Auxiliary bishops, former	Juan Alfredo Arzube Alden John Bell Stephen Blaire Joseph Patrick Dougherty Carl Anthony Fisher William Robert Johnson William Levada Joseph Thomas McGucken Donald William Montrose Manuel Duran Moreno Armando Xavier Ochoa Sylvester Donovan Ryan Joseph Martin Sartoris Thaddeus Anthony Shubsda John J. Ward Gabino Zavala George Patrick Ziemann

Priests who became bishops	Justin F. Rigali

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Churches in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Archdiocese	Cathedral Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral, former Cathedral of Saint Vibiana

Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region	Deanery 13 (Westside) Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Pacific Palisades St. Monica Catholic Church, Santa Monica St. Augustine Catholic Church, Culver City St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Brentwood St. Timothy Catholic Church, Los Angeles Church of the Good Shepherd, Beverly Hills St. Ambrose Church, West Hollywood Saint Victor Catholic Church, West Hollywood Deanery 14 (Central LA/Hollywood) Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Hollywood Cathedral Chapel, Los Angeles Christ the King Catholic Church, Los Angeles St. Basil Catholic Church, Wilshire St. Brendan Catholic Church, Los Angeles Deanery 15 (Downtown/South) Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles Precious Blood Catholic Church,Los Angeles St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Los Angeles St. Patrick Catholic Church, Los Angeles St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Los Angeles St. Vincent de Paul Church, Los Angeles Deanery 16 (South LA/Inglewood): St. John Chrysostom Church, Inglewood St. Odilia Church, Los Angeles Ascension Catholic Church, Los Angeles Spanish Mission La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles Note: This is not a Spanish Mission, but rather, a parish church.

San Fernando Pastoral Region	Deanery 5 (West San Fernando Valley) St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church and School, Encino Deanery 6 (Crescenta Valley, Glendale and Eagle Rock) Holy Family Catholic Church, Glendale Incarnation Catholic Church and School, Glendale Deanery 7 (Central San Fernando Valley and Burbank) Cathedral of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Sherman Oaks St. Charles Borromeo Church, North Hollywood St. Finbar Catholic Church and School, Burbank St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, Burbank Deanery 8 (Santa Clarita Valley and Lancaster/Palmdale): Blessed Junipero Serra Catholic Church, Lancaster

San Gabriel Pastoral Region	Deanery 9 (East LA, Boyle Heights, City Terrace): All Saints Catholic Church, Los Angeles Assumption Catholic Church, Los Angeles Deanery 10 (Pasadena, Altadena, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Montebello, Alhambra) All Souls Catholic Church, Alhambra Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Pasadena St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Pasadena Mission San Gabriel Parish, San Gabriel Deanery 11 (Arcadia, Covina, Glendora, Monrovia, La Puente): Annunciation Catholic Church, Arcadia Deanery 12 (San Dimas, Claremont, Pomona, Diamond Bar, La Puente, Valinda, Walnut):

San Pedro Pastoral Region	Deanery 17 (Downey, Compton, Huntington Park, Lynwood): Deanery 18 (Whittier, La Mirada, Pico Rivera, Norwalk): Beatitudes of Our Lord Catholic Church, La Mirada Deanery 19 (South Bay and San Pedro) American Martyrs Catholic Church, Manhattan Beach SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Wilmington Deanery 20 (Long Beach):

Santa Barbara Pastoral Region	Deanery 1 (Lompoc, Solvang, Santa Maria) La Purisima Mission, Lompoc Mission Santa Inés, Solvang Deanery 2 (Santa Barbara) Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara Deanery 3 (Oxnard, Ventura, Ojai, Fillmore, Santa Paula) Mission San Buenaventura, Ventura Deanery 4 (Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo): Blessed Junipero Serra Catholic Church, Camarillo

Education in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Archdiocese	Seminaries St. John's Seminary

Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region	Universities and Colleges Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles Mount St. Mary's College, Los Angeles High schools Bishop Conaty-Our Lady of Loretto High School, Harvard Heights Cathedral High School, Los Angeles (Boys) Immaculate Heart High School, Los Feliz (Girls) Loyola High School, Harvard Heights (Boys) Marymount High School, Bel Air (Girls) Notre Dame Academy, Los Angeles (Girls) St. Bernard High School, Playa del Rey St. Mary's Academy, Inglewood (Girls) St. Monica Catholic High School, Santa Monica Verbum Dei High School, Watts (Boys) High schools, closed Daniel Murphy High School, Los Angeles

San Fernando Pastoral Region	Universities and Colleges: High schools Bellarmine-Jefferson High School, Burbank Bishop Alemany High School, Mission Hills Chaminade High School, West Hills Crespi Carmelite High School, Encino Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, La Cañada Flintridge Holy Family High School, Glendale Louisville High School, Woodland Hills Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks Paraclete High School, Lancaster Providence High School, Burbank St. Francis High School, La Cañada Flintridge St. Genevieve High School, Panorama City

San Gabriel Pastoral Region	Universities and Colleges: High schools Ramona Convent Secondary School, Alhambra St. Lucy's Priory High School, Glendora Bishop Amat Memorial High School, La Puente Damien High School, La Verne Salesian High School, Los Angeles Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School, Montebello La Salle High School, Pasadena Mayfield Senior School, Pasadena St. Monica Academy, Pasadena Pomona Catholic High School, Pomona San Gabriel Mission High School, San Gabriel Alverno High School, Sierra Madre

San Pedro Pastoral Region	Universities and Colleges Marymount College, Palos Verdes High schools St. John Bosco High School, Bellflower Queen of Angels Academy, Compton St. Pius X / St. Matthias Academy, Downey Junipero Serra High School, Gardena St. Joseph High School, Lakewood St. Anthony High School, Long Beach Don Bosco High School, Rosemead Mary Star of the Sea High School, San Pedro St. Paul High School, Santa Fe Springs Bishop Montgomery High School, Torrance

Santa Barbara Pastoral Region	Universities and Colleges St. John's Seminary, Camarillo Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula High schools Bishop Garcia Diego High School, Santa Barbara La Reina High School, Thousand Oaks St. Bonaventure High School, Ventura St. Joseph High School, Santa Maria Santa Clara High School, Oxnard Villanova Preparatory School, Ojai

Hospitals and Cemeteries in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region	Hospitals Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica Cemeteries Crypt Mausoleum of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City

San Fernando Pastoral Region	Hospitals Northridge Hospital Medical Center, Northridge Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, Mission Hills Cemeteries San Fernando Mission Cemetery, San Fernando

San Gabriel Pastoral Region	Hospitals: Cemeteries Calvary Cemetery, East Los Angeles

San Pedro Pastoral Region	Hospitals: Cemeteries:

Santa Barbara Pastoral Region	Hospitals: Cemeteries:

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