History of Holy Redeemer

For three quarters of a century, Holy Redeemer Parish has been the spiritual home to many hundreds of catholic families in the surrounding community. A brief history follows:

In 1922, Pius XI created the Diocese of Los Angeles - San Diego. Soon afterwards, two local lay women wrote Bishop John J. Cantwell) first Archbishop of Los Angeles) asking him to send a priest to Montrose to establish a parish, as the nearest Catholic church was miles away in Tujunga. He sent our first pastor, Fr. William J. Stewart. Fr. Stewart was originally of County Tipperary, Ireland. On November 19, 1925, Fr. Stewart said the first public Mass in Montrose for 150 people. In less than two years came the completion of the mission-style church.

Monsignor Patrick Healy, our second pastor, was at Holy Redeemer for a remarkable 43 years until his passing in 1969. He was here when Montrose was devastated by the great flood of 1934. The church provided shelter to the homeless and, in thanks, some survivors donated land that was added to the church grounds. Later, in a second major building program, Msgr. Healy had Holy Redeemer School built as World War II was ending in 1945. The convent was built four years later in 1949.

In 1951, amidst the post-war boom, Msgr. Healy realized a larger church was needed. The sanctuary was cut from the nave and transposed northward. Stretching the nave and distributing the transepts east and west, more space for pews and confessionals was created. Masses continued even as the walls and roof were open to the sky. The priests walked over planks to give Holy Communion during construction.

In the early 1970's, the 210 freeway development made available some surplus land and Msgr. Konoske, with funds that Msgr. Healy had put aside, built Healy Hall. The Hall was dedicated in 1977 and blessed by Cardinal Timothy Manning during the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the parish.