Los Angeles / California / United States
Visitation Catholic Church was established in 1943. We proudly celebrated our 65th anniversary in 2008. We, the parishioners of the Church of the Visitation, celebrate Christs presence among us. As a Roman Catholic Community in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, we pray and work together to deepen our faith and spiritual fellowship. We remain faithful to the Holy Mother Church, her Pope and Bishops. Baptized in Christ, we recognize and accept Gods call to actively and visibly fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ and His Church, and to extend charity, hospitality and service to all. Father Thomas OSullivan, from Ireland, bought four acres near Sepulveda and Manchester Boulevards in the middle of an empty field in 1943 and celebrated Mass in a garage until a frame building could be erected. In just four years he completed the school, convent and rectory. In 1950 a church was erected in a modern adaptation of Italian Renaissance architecture and a solemn Mass was celebrated on Christmas morning. Monsignor OSullivan directed the parish for forty-five of the sixty-nine years of his priesthood and fifteen years as pastor emeritus. He died in 1997 at age ninety-two. From Visitation parish were formed the parishes of Saint Jerome and Saint Anastasia. From 1980 to 1999 Father James OGrady, also from Ireland, served as pastor of the church on 88th Street and retired as pastor emeritus in 1999 when Monsignor Timothy OConnell became pastor." Fr. William Brelsford was appointed Pastor July 1, 2009 when Msgr. OConnell retired.
