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History
Our Lady of Angels parish was established on September 24th, 1891 by Bishop John Loughlin.
The first mass was offered by Father Martin Loftus our first pastor on September 27th, 1891. It was offered in a small firehouse on 67th street between 2nd and 3rd avenues, with 72 people present.
The
First Church of Our Lady of Angels Dwarfed by the New
Click
Here For More Historical Photos of OLA
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Msgr. Francis O'Hara |
The
first Church of Our Lady of Angels was erected on the corner of Fourth
Avenue and 74th Street and dedicated on September 17, 1893. The
new, and present, Church in the background was dedicated on June 23,
1929. Monsignor Francis O'Hara, the third pastor, described the new
Church as "another mighty link to the chain of stately churches
that ties Brooklyn so safely to its God." |
Towards
the End of Construction of the Present Church
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Here For More Historical Photos of OLA
In 1946, Msgr. O’Hara died, and the parish welcomed Msgr. Edmund J. Reilly as its new pastor. Msgr. Reilly was responsible for the expansion of the school which includes the current day gymnasium. On June 7th, 1955 Reilly was installed as a Bishop.
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Bishop
John Boardman |
In
August, 1959 Bishop John Boardman became the pastor. He was well
known for his work as Director of the Propagation of the Faith. He
would bring the parish through the many changes resulting from
Vatican Council II. Attending
the council meetings in Rome, he brought back a tremendous energy
for change, and gently educated the people to them. |
After
Vatican II the tabernacle was to be moved to a side altar. Bishop
Boardman did not want to do this because he felt that our tabernacle was
too beautiful. Instead he raised the existing one on the center altar so
it would be more visible above the altar of sacrifice.
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On
July 12, 1981, Msgr. Cavanagh became pastor. He was a kind man who
cared deeply for the sick and elderly. He was a man sensitive to
other people’s needs. It
was during his tenure that a 2.6 million dollar renovation took
place. The church interior was painted, its original stone walls
lightened and the Stations of the Cross, from the original church
were repainted. The parish honored his memory by naming a
conference room after his death in 1999. |
Msgr.
James Cavanagh |
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Rev.
James E. Devlin |
Fr. Jim Devlin arrived in 1998. Fr. Jim led our parish through another church renovation. Some of the funds were raised by buying a leaf on the giving tree, which can be seen in the vestibule of the church. Fr. Devlin was instrumental in keeping our school open. He laid the groundwork for the transition of Our Lady of Angels School to Holy Angels Catholic Academy.
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In July 2009, we welcomed Msgr. Kevin Noone as our pastor. Msgr. Noone is a graduate of Our Lady of Angels School, class of 1958. Monsignor was the Territorial Episcopal Vicar for Brooklyn West, before becoming our pastor.
Our
Lady of Angels continues on with its generous and faithful
congregation, who always rise to the challenges it is given. |
Msgr.
Kevin Noone |
Pastors
of Our Lady of Angels
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Rev. Martin Loftus |
1891-1900 |
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Rev. Matthew Flynn |
1900-1926 |
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Msgr. Francis O'Hara |
1926-1946 |
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Bishop Edmund Reilly |
1946-1958 |
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Bishop John Boardman |
1959-1970 |
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Msgr. Francis Donnelly |
1970-1976 |
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Msgr. Peter Altman |
1976-1981 |
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Msgr. James Cavanagh |
1981-1998 |
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Rev. James Devlin |
1998-2009 |
| Msgr.
Kevin Noone |
2009
- Present |
Our
Lady of Angels Church
7320 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209
Copyright
© 2007 Our Lady of Angels
Roman Catholic Church
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