The story goes that when Fr. Daniel Johnson came to St. Mary’s by the Sea in Huntington Beach in 1978, he began a regular practice to build up the parish: he walked the neighborhood, knocking on doors, inviting Catholics to attend his services—the result was that the number of his parishioners tripled.
This is just one of many stories that stand out in the 100-year history of St. Mary’s by the Sea. The anniversary was joyously celebrated on Dec. 17 with a special service in honor of the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, followed by a catered dinner and Christmas music, all overseen by Fr. Quang Vinh Chu, who has guided the church over the past 12 years.
To mark this major milestone and preserve the church’s history, a book called “A Century of Love: St. Mary’s by the Sea” was produced by its Centennial Historical Committee and written by longtime parishioner Kathleen Kramer.
TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE EXPANDING ST. MARY’S BY THE SEA PARISH, A NEW CHURCH AND RECTORY WERE BUILT IN 1923 AT A COST OF $16,575. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
The book recounts the work of many priests and families who supported the church through the decades. It includes photographs and stories from parishioners who fell in love with St. Mary’s by the Sea and stayed for many years, raising children in the Catholic tradition and dedicating themselves to many ministries.
PARISHIONERS OF ST. MARY’S BY THE SEA IN HUNTINGTON BEACH ENJOY A SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY DINNER ON DEC. 17. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“My husband and I became parishioners 27 years ago,” said Kramer, adding that she knew Fr. Johnson at that time. “We just fell in love with the traditional approach,” she said.
THE ANNIVERSARY WAS CELEBRATED ON DEC. 17 WITH A SPECIAL SERVICE IN HONOR OF THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, FOLLOWED BY A CATERED DINNER AND CHRISTMAS MUSIC.
Over the last century, St. Mary’s by the Sea has attracted Catholics throughout Orange County. Today the parish has more than 500 registered families, according to Debbie Ransom, also a longtime parishioner who now works as the church administrator. “We have daily Mass Monday through Saturday morning, a Saturday evening vigil Mass and four Masses on Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon,” she said.
The Dec. 17 celebration marked the 100th year of the church building—the parish had formed several years before that. The first Mass was celebrated in 1905 for the funeral of John Bushard, a prominent local Catholic man who was an early benefactor of the parish. His widow Mary then sponsored Masses in a department store in Huntington Beach, and the parish started growing. The church was named St. Mary’s to honor Mary Bushard’s patron saint, but in 1921 the name was changed for a time to
Saints Simeon & Jude.
To meet the needs of the expanding parish, a new church and rectory were built in 1923 at a cost of $16,575.
During World War II, renovations were made that included building an organ loft and installing stained-glass windows. In the 1960s, Franciscan fathers staffed the church as the parish kept growing. The Diocese of Orange was established in 1976 and not long after that, Fr. Daniel Johnson arrived at St. Mary’s by the Sea. During his 25 years there, Fr. Johnson instituted a traditional Latin Mass and oversaw expansion of the rectory and refurbishing of the church interior.
Many parishioners were so moved and inspired by Fr. Johnson that they worked hard to raise money for the construction.
“He was so devout and honored the traditions of Catholic faith,” said Kramer. “We loved him—he was so reverent, a no-nonsense priest. He was not wishywashy about his convictions and people are attracted by that.”
Fr. Johnson was much missed after he retired in 2004; he died in 2007.
Following a number of dedicated priests who led St. Mary’s by the Sea, Fr. Quang Vinh Chu was installed as pastor in 2013. Like Fr. Johnson, he worked to strengthen the parish and envisioned a remodeling project that included a new altar, retablo and tabernacle. Fr. Chu consulted his friend Fr. Pascal Nguyen who recommended Granda Liturgical Arts in Spain for the project. The plans received approval from Bishop Kevin Vann in 2016, fundraising began in 2017 and construction started the following
year.
“In November of 2018, the bishop came down for the consecration of the altar and rededication of church,” said Fr. Chu, who acknowledged the generous support of his congregation for the successful project.
Like all churches, St. Mary’s by the Sea suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic. The construction of two shrines had to be delayed. Masses were held outside, and social distancing was practiced.
“Fr. Chu encouraged parishioners in frequent emails to use the time to deepen their faith and to rely on Christ as a source of hope,” explained Kramer in her book.
“Many parishioners took him up on these encouragements.”
After the dark time of the pandemic, St. Mary’s by the Sea celebrated a full re-opening on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, and the parish has been thriving ever since.
St. Mary’s by the Sea has prevailed for a century – through wars, financial ups and downs and a global pandemic. Supported by faithful parishioners and a dedicated staff, the parish is poised for the next 100 years.
To purchase a copy of “A Century of Love: St. Mary’s by the Sea” by Kathleen Kramer, stop by the parish office or call Debbie Ransom at 714-536-6913. Price is $25.