ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
From the archives of The Tidings, June 17, 1938:
With the announcement [in 1937] of the erection of St. Bartholomew Parish, Reverend Thomas Francis Kennedy immediately made plans for the purchase of a parish site, choosing the triangular block bordered by Broadway, Granada Avenue, Livingston Drive, and Nieto Avenue. The location is on the eastern end of the block allowing for a social hall on the west. When completed, the parish will have a handsome group of buildings. A garden with a grotto-shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes will fill the space between the church and hall.
For the style of the church building, Fr. Kennedy preferred a modern treatment reminiscent of Irish churches, finished on the exterior with stucco and half-timber work, and on the interior with an open timber roof over plastered walls. The sanctuary has been set off from the auditorium by a deep arch. The ceiling beyond is paneled in wood and follows the line of the arch. Centered over the altar is a triple-window crucifixion scene in stained glass. Fr. Kennedy’s plans for his church materialized under the skilled direction of the architect, Thomas Franklin Power. Construction of the edifice was completed in 1939. The church seats 300 people. It is 107 feet overall in length and has a frontage of 47 ½ feet rising to a height of 36 feet to the top of the cross.
[Note: In 1956, the church was remodeled with the addition of Our Lady Chapel and a crying room, later renamed the Children’s Chapel.]
From the archives of The Tidings, March 17, 1939:
Assisted by several priests and surrounded by a large congregation of parishioners and friends, His Excellency, The Most Reverend John J. Cantwell, D.D., Archbishop of Los Angeles, officiated at the dedication of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Long Beach on Sunday, March 12, 1939. At the close of the Mass, the Archbishop spoke briefly expressing his congratulations to the pastor, Rev. Thomas F. Kennedy, and his loyal parishioners for the erection of such an artistic and substantial church. He praised the design of the edifice and complimented the architect and builders.
The following description of the church has been submitted by the architect, Thomas Franklin Power: “In the design of the interior and furnishings of this church an effort has been made to produce an atmosphere of spiritual uplift; all elements playing their part, however humble the material, in sequential beauty tending toward the apogee of the structure—the tabernacle, the veritable House of God. However much the skilled designer may take advantage of his knowledge of materials, proportions, line, and color to overcome paucity of funds and still maintain a well-oriented whole, he will necessarily fail without the whole-hearted cooperation of those who serve him—those who bring love to bear in their work. This love is unusual today, virtuosity of workmanship being evaluated. So much by the dictum, quid pro quo, and with the accent on the quid, that it is rarely accomplished. Yet, things of beauty still live, as they did in other ages, when men have pride in workmanship—love in their hearts and to them so associated here. I am proud to acknowledge my indebtedness.”
With the announcement [in 1937] of the erection of St. Bartholomew Parish, Reverend Thomas Francis Kennedy immediately made plans for the purchase of a parish site, choosing the triangular block bordered by Broadway, Granada Avenue, Livingston Drive, and Nieto Avenue. The location is on the eastern end of the block allowing for a social hall on the west. When completed, the parish will have a handsome group of buildings. A garden with a grotto-shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes will fill the space between the church and hall.
For the style of the church building, Fr. Kennedy preferred a modern treatment reminiscent of Irish churches, finished on the exterior with stucco and half-timber work, and on the interior with an open timber roof over plastered walls. The sanctuary has been set off from the auditorium by a deep arch. The ceiling beyond is paneled in wood and follows the line of the arch. Centered over the altar is a triple-window crucifixion scene in stained glass. Fr. Kennedy’s plans for his church materialized under the skilled direction of the architect, Thomas Franklin Power. Construction of the edifice was completed in 1939. The church seats 300 people. It is 107 feet overall in length and has a frontage of 47 ½ feet rising to a height of 36 feet to the top of the cross.
[Note: In 1956, the church was remodeled with the addition of Our Lady Chapel and a crying room, later renamed the Children’s Chapel.]
From the archives of The Tidings, March 17, 1939:
Assisted by several priests and surrounded by a large congregation of parishioners and friends, His Excellency, The Most Reverend John J. Cantwell, D.D., Archbishop of Los Angeles, officiated at the dedication of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Long Beach on Sunday, March 12, 1939. At the close of the Mass, the Archbishop spoke briefly expressing his congratulations to the pastor, Rev. Thomas F. Kennedy, and his loyal parishioners for the erection of such an artistic and substantial church. He praised the design of the edifice and complimented the architect and builders.
The following description of the church has been submitted by the architect, Thomas Franklin Power: “In the design of the interior and furnishings of this church an effort has been made to produce an atmosphere of spiritual uplift; all elements playing their part, however humble the material, in sequential beauty tending toward the apogee of the structure—the tabernacle, the veritable House of God. However much the skilled designer may take advantage of his knowledge of materials, proportions, line, and color to overcome paucity of funds and still maintain a well-oriented whole, he will necessarily fail without the whole-hearted cooperation of those who serve him—those who bring love to bear in their work. This love is unusual today, virtuosity of workmanship being evaluated. So much by the dictum, quid pro quo, and with the accent on the quid, that it is rarely accomplished. Yet, things of beauty still live, as they did in other ages, when men have pride in workmanship—love in their hearts and to them so associated here. I am proud to acknowledge my indebtedness.”