St. Anne's Parish, Seal Beach, has grown amid a typical California pattern of growth and expansion. In 1857, Anaheim Landing, now the pier for the Naval Ammunition Depot, was the point of entry for supplies for the German colonists who had founded Anaheim. Twenty years of bustling service came to an end when the frist railroad was built in Orange County in 1876. In the years that followed the farmers living inland made Anaheim Landing their favorite resort to escape the summer heat.
In 1903 a coastal development program began, taking the name of Bay City. A pier, a fun zone, and community stores gave life and attraction to the residents of the growing beach town. Because the name, Bay City, conflicted with the area around San Francisco, the name Seal Beach was chosen, a tribute to the California seals who sported themselves in the adjacent water. The City of Seal Beach was incorporated in 1915.
The mission of Seal Beach was established in 1921 by the late Father Thomas Morris, pastor of St. Matthew's Church, Long Beach. Prior to this the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary had organized the Sunday School. Masses were now celebrated in a temporary building, a grain storehouse, located back of Brock's Drug store on Electric Avenue.
The Rev. Austin Fleming was named as the first pastor. A site was purchased at 317-319 Tenth Street by a few parishioners aided by a $1,000.00 donation of a generous Chicago woman who requested that the parish be dedicated to St. Anne. Through 1922 Father Fleming was priest and carpenter, erecting the new church, a gift of the Extension Mission Society. The new church was unpacked and put together by Father Fleming, aided by Mr. Elmer Hughes, a stalwart parishioner - foreman of the large Hellman Ranch, a mayor of Seal Beach, and now a resident of Costa Mesa. To augment parish income, Father Fleming furnished the music for parish socials on the pier, earning for himself the distinguished sobriquet - "the Fiddling Priest".
Father William Schulte succeeded Father Fleming in September 1922. his health was no match for the demands made upon him, so in November Father Louis Schaffer took over the parish. A census at that time revealed that the Catholic population amounted to 97 persons - 59 over eighteen, 38 under eighteen. Father Schaffer fulfilled his pastoral responsibilities until August 1924.
Despite optimistic hopes, Seal Beach grew, but slowly. Post-war years, prohibition, the Great Depression, all left their mark on the struggling seaside community. It's sporty reputation was no added attraction. Through these years of series of pastors took their respective tuns in this uncommon corner of the vineyard.
Father Joseph Fitzgerald succeeded Father Schaffer. His entries in the Parish records testify to his zeal in keeping track of his flock for almost three years. His place was then taken by Father C. Norman Raley, one-time vice-president of Georgetown University.
Father Raley began his pastorate in March of 1927. Something of a promoter and showman, his social and clerical attainments added much ot the civic and parochial life of Seal Beach. Remaining at St. Anne's for almost six years he left in January of 1933. His memory lingers on.
At the depths of the Great Depression Father Patrick O'Dowd came to St. Anne's. For almost three years he presided over the quiet and orderly life of the parish. Growth there was, but not at the optimistic rate predicted in the twenties.
The country was stirring, recovering from the depression, concerned about a German 'paper-hanger', when Father Christopher Bradley took his appointed place, in the line of St. Anne's chief shepherds, in May of 1936. Priest and people moved with the times. Father Bradley began by swapping the two lots on which the church stood at 317-319 Tenth Street for the property on which the present church stands.
On August 22, 1937, the new church was dedicated. The Seal Beach Post and Wave records the occasion: "Solemn rites dedicating to the glory of God and the honor of St. Anne, the recently completed edifice of St. Anne's Catholic Church were held at the beautiful new church building Sunday morning, dignified by the presence of the Most Reverend John Joseph Cantwell, Archbishop of Los Angeles. ...The new building, recently completed at the cost of $6,000.00, will seat 300 persons and is the place of worship ofr residents of this city and township, and for parts of Long Beach."
Moving to Santa Ana, where he founded another parish dedicated to St. Anne, Father Braley made way for Father Albert Hurley. His four years of pastoral duties passed quietly enough until his transfer in 1943 when Father Thomas O'Sullivan assumed the responsibility of the parish. His was the longest term of service of all the priests who have left their mark upon the growth of St. Anne's parish - spiritually and temporally.
In spite of the burden of illness and pian tht racked him through most of the years of his pastorate, Father O'Sullivan plied himself faithfully to his duties for fifteen years, known and respected by all in the community.
The only private parking lot of any size in town became a reality when Father O'Sullivan purchased from the City the five beach lots which lie south of the rectory. The total purchase price would just about cover the cost of a few months rent today. Times and prices wiat for no man.
During Father O'Sullivan's term, an event occurred which has been a major factor in the fortunes of Seal Beach, and of St. Anne's parish. By July of 1944 the exigencies of world conflict brought about the establishment of the Naval Ammunition and Net Depot. Anaheim Landing lost its link with the past. Beach homes and buildings gave way to naval piers and jetties, pleasure craft to chips of war. Only a granite marker bears mute testimony to lighter, gayer days. Navy and Marine personnel have been a source of many fine parishioners who have contributed much to the life and activity of St. Anne's.
The Hillman Ranch now boasts of a crop of new homes and a shopping plaza. These saw their start under the eyes of Father O'Sullivan. The constant burden of his ills finally brought Father to his retirement in 1958. He died in 1962 while still a resident in the parish.
Father Dominic Daly managed the affairs of St. Anne through 1958 and 1959 until he was succeeded by Father Louis Pick. The orderly neatness of his training as Naval Chaplain was clearly reflected in the many improvements effected during his stewardship. Thew church was given a thorough renovating by way of new sanctuary fittings and furniture, the sacristies remodeled and the church painted. To accommodate the increasing demand for pastoral service, the old rectory was remodeled with the addition of five new rooms. St. Anne's would have to meet a growing community.
In july of 1962 Father Pick left to assume the pastoral care of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Sun Valley. His place was taken by Father William Diamond, the present pastor. During the ensuing ten years, St. Anne's gave evidence of the ever-increasing pace of growth and change which have been the hall-mark of this decade.
The Hillman Ranch saw the last of its acres covered with black top and dotted with office buildings, laboratories and construction sites for the second stage boosters which pushed the Saturn Moon Shots through the trackless ways of space. The increase of numbers and the need of space for religion classes pushed the parish into a new hall. The old hall, which had been the original church, came to no inglorious end. It was salvaged and continues its days somewhere South of the Border.
The eastern portion of the parish became a part of the new St. Bonaventure parish in 1965. This loss of numbers has been compensated by the islands that have sprung from clam beds and duck haunts of Sunset Beach now known has Huntington Harbor. The Lord gives and takes.
More to come...