Prior to the formation of St. Monica, the nearest Catholic church was at Olvera Street in Downtown Los Angeles.

For the first time the interior splendors of this remarkably beautiful and dignified religious edifice will be revealed to St. Monica' parish, and many out-of-town visitors are expected.

"[2] The church was not officially dedicated until July 1926, at which time the Los Angeles Times reported: "A crowd numbering many thousands surrounded the handsome limestone structure on California avenue and Seventh street, the overflow standing under the towering eucalipti of the city park opposite the church.

Strains from the great pipe organ of St. Monica's floated to the overflow crowd outside to give at least a hint of the sacred services within.

[4] In 2002, the New York Times wrote that the Gehry-designed building "contributes to the outreach efforts that, along with good liturgies and preaching, are parish hallmarks.

Academy Award Best Picture winner Going My Way, the 1944 film in which Father O'Malley (played by Bing Crosby) saved his struggling St. Dominic's in New York, was partly inspired by Msgr.

[5] The role of the irascible old Irish priest, Father Fitzgibbon (for which Barry Fitzgerald won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar), was based on Msgr.

The priest's many anecdotes about his work in the parish and St. Monica's School gave the director the idea it would make a good film story.

[8][9] In addition to Schwarzenegger, other well-known parishioners at St. Monica include Martin Sheen, Brooke Shields, Kelsey Grammer, June Lockhart, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, as well as Chris Farley and Lawrence Welk.