St. Basil Catholic Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St. Basil Catholic Church
Location	3611 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90005
Country	United States
Denomination	Catholic (Roman Rite)
Website	www.stbasilchurch-la.org
History
Founded	26 November 1919
Dedicated	29 June 1969
Architecture
Architect(s)	A.C. Martin & Assoc.
Administration
Diocese	Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Division	Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region

St. Basil Catholic Church is a Catholic Church located in Los Angeles, California. It is part of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The church is found on Wilshire Boulevard in the Wilshire district. Its main building was constructed between 1967 and 1969. It was officially opened in 1969. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the church was a site for protests. People from the Chicano Movement protested because they felt the church spent too much money on the building. They believed the money should have been used to help people in need and support social justice programs instead.

Church History

As Los Angeles grew, especially west from downtown, a new church was needed. Bishop John Cantwell announced the creation of St. Basil parish in 1919. It was named after St. Basil of Caesarea. Father William McDermott Hughes became the first pastor.

The first church building for St. Basil was finished in 1920. It was located at 7th Street and South Catalina Street. In 1922, Father Edward Kirk became the second pastor. He served the church for 27 years.

In 1923, the parish boundaries changed. A new parish, Precious Blood, was created nearby. St. Basil's church building was moved to a new location at Wilshire Boulevard and South Harvard Boulevard.

In 1943, a fire damaged the church. It was later rebuilt. Monsignor Henry W. Gross became the third pastor in 1949. He led the parish for 20 years.

In 1965, Monsignor Gross announced plans for a new, larger church complex. It would be built at Wilshire Boulevard and Kingsley Drive. The A.C. Martin architectural firm designed the new building. This firm also designed the first church building in 1920. Construction took place from 1967 to 1969.

The new church was officially opened on June 29, 1969. Cardinal James Francis McIntyre and Archbishop Timothy Manning led the ceremony. Monsignor Benjamin Hawkes became the fourth pastor in 1969. He served for 16 years.

Father M. Francis Meskill became the fifth pastor in 1985. He served for 13 years. In 1998, Monsignor Charles Hill became the sixth pastor. He retired in 2006 but remains a pastor emeritus.

In 2006, Father Frank Hicks was appointed to lead St. Basil. He became the seventh pastor in 2008.

Chicano Protests (1969–1970)

St. Basil Catholic Church became a key place for protests during the Chicano Movement. These protests happened from 1969 to 1970. People protested because the church spent nearly $3 million on the new building. They felt this money should have been used to help the poor and support social justice.

At the church's opening ceremony in June 1969, over 30 people protested. They held signs saying things like "$1,000,000 for glass and stone, but ? for the Poor" and "A Monument to Opulence."

In late 1969, a group called Católicos Por La Raza formed. This group included Chicano Catholic school students. They wanted the church to focus more on helping people in need. They also wanted the church to address unfair treatment against Chicano people. They believed the archdiocese was not following Jesus Christ's mission to serve the poor.

The protests became more intense at St. Basil's Christmas Midnight Mass in December 1969. Protesters gathered outside the church. Some tried to enter the building. There were disagreements between protesters and church members.

Protests continued after Christmas. A spokesman for La Raza explained that St. Basil was chosen because it was a new, expensive building. It showed how money was being used for the church instead of for the poor and social justice.

Oscar Acosta, a Chicano leader, wrote about the event. He described hundreds of Chicanos gathering outside the church. He said they wanted to challenge the church's wealth.

The Sunday after Christmas, Bishop Antulio Parrilla from Puerto Rico joined the Chicano protesters. He held a mass on a vacant lot across from St. Basil's. He was joined by Father Mark Day and Father William Davis. Bishop Parrilla spoke about supporting the Chicano cause.

Inside St. Basil's, a church spokesman called the protesters an "organized minority" and "militant revolutionaries."

In January 1970, some protesters began a fast outside St. Basil's. Ricardo Cruz, a protest leader, said they were showing their beliefs. The fast ended after three days.

In May 1970, some individuals involved in the Christmas protests faced legal action. In September 1970, protesters held an outdoor service at the church. Some burned their baptismal certificates. This showed their frustration with church leaders. The protest was peaceful.

Later, after Cardinal McIntyre retired, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles began to address the Chicano community's concerns. Archbishop Timothy Manning talked with Ricardo Cruz, a leader from Católicos Por La Raza. They worked together to create programs for education and social help in East Los Angeles. A council was also formed to represent the Chicano community. This progress helped Chicanos become bishops in other parts of the United States.

Church Architecture

The church was designed by the architectural firm A.C. Martin & Assoc.. St. Basil's design features 12 tall, angled concrete towers. Each tower is about 80 feet (24 m) high. They are separated by colorful stained-glass windows. The towers have different shapes, some wider at the top, others at the bottom. The church's spire is 160 feet (49 m) high, with a cross adding another 20 feet (6.1 m). This modern design helped bring a new look to Wilshire Boulevard. It is an example of Brutalist architecture, which uses strong, raw concrete.

Albert C. Martin said in 1967 that the church's strong, fortress-like look was inspired by early Christian churches. These churches often served as safe places. The design combines old Christian styles with modern ideas. It has few outside decorations, like early churches.

The Los Angeles Times described the church as being like a 3rd-century Roman basilica. It has large concrete towers that seem randomly placed but are well-organized. The main worship area can seat 900 people.

Building the church required over 9,000 cubic yards of concrete. The walls were treated to give them a rough texture.

Inside, the church can seat 900 people. A crucifix from the 13th century hangs above the altar. Modern art and sculptures also decorate the interior. Artist Claire Falkenstein created the stained-glass windows, doors, and gates. She made the windows by placing different glass shapes into iron frames. Her work on the windows is considered very important.

The interior also has carvings of the Fourteen Stations of the Cross. These were made by Italian sculptor Franco Assetto. Each station is carved into the church's concrete pillars. Sculptor Ralf Affleck created the Saint Peter and Saint Paul sculptures.

Architect Richard Dorman praised the church's design. He said St. Basil's was one of the best buildings in Los Angeles.

In 1973, St. Basil received an Award of Merit from the American Institute of Architects. This award was for its excellent design.

The church's architecture has also appeared in movies, like Terrence Malick's Knight of Cups. St. Basil Catholic Church is also recognized as a historical building in Los Angeles.

Masses

Masses at St. Basil Catholic Church are offered in three languages: English, Korean, and Spanish.

See also

• Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region