San Miguel Church: A history

By Hermine Lees

(originally appeared in Los Angeles’ Archdiocesan Catholic publication, The Tidings, October 31, 2008)

Founded: 1927
Location: 2214 East 108th Street, Los Angeles
San Pedro Region: Deanery 17

The poignant cry of "Viva Cristo Rey!" echoed around the world in November of 1927 when the young Jesuit priest, Miguel Pro, was executed in Mexico during the violent persecutions of Catholics in that country. The photograph of his execution --his arms raised in the form of a cross, one hand holding a crucifix, the other a rosary --was intended to show the power of the Marxist regime but instead elicited outrage and protest worldwide. Pope John Paul II beatified the Jesuit in 1988.

That year epitomized the "years of the martyrs" in the history of the Mexican Republic under President Plutarco Calles when thousands of men, women and children were murdered. Church property was confiscated, all churches were closed and Mass continued only "underground" in homes, garages and forests. Father Pro organized "Eucharistic stations" in private homes and staunchly supported the Cristero movement. Although Catholics remained faithful and loyal, many of them sought refuge and escape to the United States.

Recognizing this tragic need and willing to help, Bishop John Cantwell of Los Angeles established many catechetical centers and parishes to aid the influx of Mexicans fleeing the brutal persecution. In the first 10 years of his 30-year episcopate, he established 70 parishes and in 1927 welcomed the refugee Carmelite nuns from Mexico to the diocese.

Bishop Cantwell also appointed Father Leroy Callahan to be the advocate for Mexican refugees during this time of anguish for the Church in Mexico. Among the many organizations he established were the Mexican Young Men’s Association, Mexican Young Women’s Association and Las Damas Católicas.

With the help of neighboring parish Holy Cross, the Church of the Apparition of St. Michael (San Miguel) began in 1927 after four years as a catechetical center at 108th and Juniper Streets. Bishop Cantwell dedicated the church in 1928, commending the Mexican people for their deep faith. Early records list Father Joseph Cotta as the first pastor, but other than Father Nicholas Zabalza (c. 1940, probably an Augustinian Recollect from Spain) parish records list no other pastors until 1963.

That year began a list of Augustinian Recollect pastors with Father Damian Gobeo who headed the parish for three years, followed by six more OARs until 1998.: Fathers Maximus Bortiri, 1966-1972; Alphonse Gallegos, 1972-1978; Jose Montiel, 1978-1984; Ramón Gaitán 1984-1991; Alfredo de Dios, 1991-1997; and Gabino Pérez, 1997-1998. Of these, the priest best remembered is Father Gallegos.

Born in Albuquerque in 1931, Alphonse Gallegos was one of 11 children, a fourth generation Mexican-American whose family moved to within four blocks of San Miguel. For most of his life, Alphonse suffered from a debilitating eye condition that left him practically blind. But he never allowed it to hamper him in his multitude of assignments.

One of San Miguel's native vocations, he was ordained in 1958. Later, during his pastorate at his home parish, he participated with Cardinal Timothy Manning to establish a program for Spanish-speaking permanent deacons, and worked tirelessly to recruit work for his parishioners during a time of forty percent unemployment. But, he added, "our first need is education-education for a better community."

He headed Cristo Rey parish north of downtown for a year. In 1979 he was appointed director for Hispanic Affairs for the California Catholic Conference and in 1981, ordained auxiliary bishop of Sacramento, the first Hispanic bishop in the state capital since 1861. Unfortunately, ten years later, he was killed instantly in an automobile accident, at age 60. The Augustinian Recollects are collecting information on his life to introduce his cause as "a saint for our times."

The Augustinian Fathers celebrated a farewell Mass at San Miguel in June of 1998 after some 69 years of service, to administer the parish of St. Benedict in Montebello. The next religious order of Misioneros del Sagrado Corazón y Santa María de Guadalupe (MSC) priests now serve San Miguel and each of the subsequent four pastors are natives of Mexico: Father Juan Melendez, Father Raul Silva, Father Fernando Mendoza and the current pastor, appointed in 2007, Father Jose Valdez.

A native of Mexico City ordained in 1995, Father Valdez previously served at San Miguel (2004-06). So he is familiar with the parish named for the archangel whose feast day is Sept. 29, and is called one "who is like God."

Submitted by Fr. James D. McGuire, OAR