A Century of Blessings

IMMENSELY GRATEFUL FOR A CENTURY OF BLESSINGS was our theme for our special anniversary

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Video of 100 years of our history Original video split into two parts. 1st Communion and academy graduates in following video.

Video of 1st Communion and Academy graduates up to 2006

Video of priests and deacons of St. Martin over the 100 years

Interviews of parishioners on parish and history

1968 Parish Directory (personal addresses and phone numbers were blurred out for privacy concerns) 60MB file

Original church on Normal Avenue in La Mesa

La Mesa’s early Catholic Community first gathered to worship in private homes where, on special occasions, a visiting priest would celebrate the Mass or perform marriages and baptisms. At that time, priests were concentrated in the more populous Catholic area, and understandably, a little group of fifty families in La Mesa area did not warrant the singular attention of a full-time priest. Those wishing to attend regular Mass had the option of traveling, either by train or horse and buggy, to the nearest Catholic church, located in San Diego or El Cajon.

In 1920, the first steps were taken to provide local facilities for Mass. Local Catholics began to investigate possible locations for a worship center and were finally given permission to use the main hall of a local undertaking parlor. It was there the first regular schedule or Sunday Masses was begun. Father McGrath, acting pastor of Our Lady of Angels Church in San Diego, agreed to personally minister to the extra congregation. Evidently there was a newspaper article from Nov 19, 1920 indicating Catholics were gathering although not tied to any one parish yet.

The faith community now encompassed the La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Encanto areas and constituted a sizable congregation. The time had come for construction of a permanent church. Fr. Michael McCormack, our first assigned pastor, took off from where Father McGrath had taken us and succeeded in securing a generous donation from a prominent Catholic family in Los Angeles to build a church. The Cavano family had been instrumental in building many churches in the Archdiocese and were willing to undertake the work in La Mesa. Note that we were in the Los Angeles-San Diego Diocese at this time. A small lot at the corner of Normal Street and La Mesa Boulevard was purchased. Construction began in October 1921. With their prayers, persistence and efforts rewarded, Father McCormack and the congregation gathered to celebrate Christmas Mass 1921 in their new church.

Due to health reasons the beloved Father McCormack was succeeded by Father George Siebert in 1922 and completed the many unfinished details in the furnishings and equipping of the new church. A rectory was subsequently built and improvements were made to church buildings. La Mesa had grown to the status of a parish with a “resident” pastor. Father Siebert set to work developing the spirit of faith and programs of Catholic activity in the parish. The heavy work took its inevitable toll on his health and he was forced to give up the struggle in just a few years.

Father Joseph Mesny was appointed as pastor of St. Martin’s in 1925. The parish had a steady growth under the guidance of this well-loved priest. There are innumerable legends of his charity to the poor, his zeal for souls, and his quest for spiritual growth in the parish. Age and sickness made him more determined to spend his last ounce of strength doing good. In 1932, Father Mesny celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his ordination and the 27th year of his sacerdotal work in San Diego County.

Note the statues of the Sacred Heart and Mary. Same statues we have now. Photo is from before the move.

The Reverend Michael Flahive succeeded Father Mesny in 1936. He was no stranger to La Mesa. He had acted as substitute for Father Mesny on many occasions when the older priest was forced to rest.

In 1937, the four southern counties of California became the new diocese of San Diego. The new diocese and all of California entered a period of extraordinary growth and development which called for youthful energy and hard work. Father Flahive was selected to undertake the building of a new parish in Barstow.

Father Woodcutter succeeded Father Flahive in 1937. His time at the parish was also of short duration since ill health forced him to retire after less than two years of parish work. His short time at St. Martin’s was marked by many practical improvements in the church building and the rectory and in efforts to keep up with the needs of the ever increasing congregation.

Different sanctuary and after the move to present location. Same Jesus and Mary statues.

In October 1938, Reverend Thomas Lehane was appointed pastor of St. Martin of Tours. Father Lehane brought the experience and energy needed to guide the parish through the crisis of abrupt growth and expansion brought about by World War II. La Mesa, with all of California, received an overwhelming influx of war workers and servicemen and servicewomen and their families. This influx caused grave housing shortages and strained community resources to the limit. St. Martin’s parish accepted the challenge of these times and grew in numbers and activity. Extra Masses were added to accommodate the growing congregation. Catholic men and women’s groups were organized. A comprehensive catechism program was organized for the youth of the parish. The number of marriages, baptisms, confirmations, instructions and Sunday Masses surpassed all previous records. But once again, the recurring problem of not enough room, too many people, surfaced. Another move was indicated.

In 1948, Father Lehane was moved to the parish of St. Mary, Star of the Sea at Oceanside. The preparations made by Father Lehane were assumed by the succeeding pastor, Father Dennis J. Barry, who was appointed from El Centro where he had build St. Mary’s Church. The location of St. Martin’s church did not hold any hope for expansion and more suitable sites were inspected.

Church has been jacked up and wheels put underneath for the move

The present church property located on El Cajon Boulevard was selected. It contained the necessary space for present needs and future expansion, was close to public transportation, and held a commanding view of the city. The immediate need for St. Martin’s in 1948 was expanded facilities for Sunday Mass. The parish which thirty years before did not warrant a full-time pastor, now found that even with four Sunday Masses, it was almost impossible to obtain a seat in church. One thousand people were seeking to attend Mass every Sunday in a church that measured 70×40 feet. To reduce the cost of construction, it was decided to use the materials in the old building as much as possible.

First, the Normal Street church was moved to our current site on El Cajon Boulevard. In a spectacular feat of “moving” engineering, the church was rolled from its former location and placed on the new site. It was then cut in two and expanded to twice the original length. To preserve the salient features of the former church, the interior structural design was left almost untouched. The exterior had to undergo extensive alterations to bring about the desired Early California Mission effect. Flying buttresses were retained and increased in number. The tower was completely redesigned to balance the enlarged nave. The church roof was given a mission tile cover and the tower was crowned by a tiled dome of soft blue and gold. The building presented a striking appearance on a commanding position over the junction of the two main boulevards of the city of La Mesa. In conjunction with the reconstruction of the church, work was rushed to prepare a new rectory on the grounds. With slight alterations, an existing building (a sanitarium) became a spacious rectory with ample accommodations for church group meetings and parish parties. This project took six months to complete. And so, once again, Christmas Mass, 1948 was celebrated in a “new” church.

Church now resting on its new foundation

In 1950, it was obvious to all that a parish school was an absolute necessity in a growing and expanding parish. In the fall of 1950, construction was begun on St. Martin Academy, and a suitable convent for the staff of sisters who were promised to the new school by the Mother General of the School of Sisters of Notre Dame, St. Louis, Missouri. In September 1951, the doors of the Academy opened to the first classes – grades one through eight in elementary education. This was followed in later years, with the introduction of a kindergarten. In May 1952, San Diego’s first Bishop, the Most Reverend Charles F. Buddy, dedicated the school and conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on the two senior grades.

Note that the parish hall was not attached directly to the church building at this time. The connection came later.

The parish social hall was completed in October 1952. It included a cafeteria to supply hot lunches for the students. In 1956, four new classrooms were constructed and the school enrollment reached 500.

La Mesa continued to expand at a rapid rate until it became apparent that the church could no longer accommodate the congregation on Sunday mornings despite the increase in the number of Masses. Consequently, a new church became an obvious necessity. In 1961 the first of many fund drives began which were to extend over a three year period. On June 28 (or 18), 1964, in the presence of a large group of parishioners, ground was broken for our current site by the pastor, Father Dennis Barry, and the ground was blessed with a full ritual of liturgy.

On April 5, 1965, construction was started by the Riha Construction Company, with architect, Arthur D. Decker, AIA, directing operations. Throughout the long spring summer and fall the building gradually took shape and in a masterly drive the work was completed in time for Christmas Mass, 1965.

From old photos we have noted that the original crucifix displayed at the dedication of the new church on February 13, 1966 with Bishop Furey celebrating, was different than our current crucifix. Note the arms of Jesus stretched straight out along the cross beam, compared to our present crucifix with army at an angle. Our current crucifix had not arrived yet so a place holder was used for a short time. Note cross proportions are different as well.

Also note the statues of Mary and Jesus on either side. They are not resting on the altars as they are now, but elevated about 2 foot higher on a shelf. We have found the old platforms and best guess is statues were lowered to altar top to be more stable in case of earthquake. And while statue placement as far as sides, they show here as they are now. However some parishioners recall sides were swapped at some point for awhile.

And if you look closely at the 1965 interior photo you will see a communion rail going all the way across, which was pretty standard in the early ’60s, but after Vatican II, many railings were removed. Ours were partly removed and just the parts in front of the two statues now are left for kneeling.

The original, renovated church building remains in use and is now known as Barry Hall. The current rectory with parish offices and conference room was completed in 1975.

In 2012 there was a major restoration of Barry Hall as the roof leaked, and there was some foundation issues that needed to be addressed. At a cost of $105,000
The interior was also restored although not at this same time to expose the original beams, install new lighting and acoustic panels.

There has been no recent major construction on the grounds since then but plans are in the works for a multipurpose building to be built where the preschool is now located. It is not clear when construction will begin.

If you have any further information on any of this, please contact David at webmaster@stmartinoftoursparish.org