[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF SAINT ANNE CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2023

  Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the achievements of 
Saint Anne Church.
  In 1923, Father Verhalen announced that a location had been chosen 
for the new church's construction in the City of Santa Ana. The site 
featured 3 lots in a new tract named Wilshire Square, that faced South 
Main Street and another 3 lots that faced Sycamore Street.
  On April 22, 1923, the first Mass of the new parish was celebrated at 
9:00 a.m. on April 22, 1923, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. 
Longmire.
  In 1939, Reverend Christopher J. Bradley was appointed as the 
parish's pastor, marking a time when St. Anne Parish began to flourish. 
Father Bradley started making changes to the parish facilities soon 
after he arrived, and on November 30, 1941, a solemn Mass was conducted 
in the stunning new church with 400 seats, 32 stained glass windows, 
and a beautiful bell tower.
  In September of 1945, it was through Father Bradely that the Sisters 
of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary were invited to Santa Ana, 
California to assist parents in the task of educating their children, 
which resulted in the parish's new grammar school opening its doors to 
students for the first time.
  In May 1949, a new $80,000 convent was completed at the comer of 
Sycamore Street and Borchard Avenue. The convent includes a chapel 
which is a miniature of the church and contains 14 stained glass 
windows.
  In 1950, the church was lengthened, and the church capacity was 
doubled. The church was enlarged again in 1962. New marble altars were 
installed, a mortuary chapel was provided in a nave alcove, and a new 
tabernacle and pipe organ were added. The total seating capacity was 
increased to 1,000 people.
  Today, 100 years later, Saint Anne Church has over 6,000 registered 
families and has helped the community through many food and toy drives.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the exceptional 
achievements of Saint Anne Church.

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