Mary Star Of The Sea Catholic Church San Pedro Insights
- 01. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church San Pedro: Essential Facts at a Glance
- 02. Key Contact Information and Location Details
- 03. Historical Foundation and Marist Educational Legacy
- 04. Mass Schedule and Liturgical Schedule
- 05. Sacramental Services and Spiritual Programs
- 06. Unique "Fishermen's Parish" Identity and Maritime Heritage
- 07. Ethnic Diversity and Multilingual Community
- 08. Church Architecture and Religious Art Features
- 09. Parish Schools and Educational Ministry
- 10. Parish Organizations and Ministry Groups
- 11. Blessing of the Fleet and Annual Traditions
- 12. Practical Visitor Information
Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church San Pedro: Essential Facts at a Glance
Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish located at 870 West Eighth Street, San Pedro, CA 90731, serving approximately 5,500 registered families since its establishment in 1889. Known as the "Fishermen's Parish," this Archdiocese of Los Angeles parish overlooks the Port of Los Angeles and celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, Croatian, and Italian, with the current church building completed in 1958.
Key Contact Information and Location Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 870 West Eighth Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 |
| Phone | 833-3541 |
| Website | www.marystar.org |
| office@marystar.org | |
| Coordinates | 33°44′15″N 118°17′47″W |
| Registered Families | Approximately 5,500 |
Historical Foundation and Marist Educational Legacy
San Pedro was incorporated as a city in 1888, and Mary Star of the Sea parish was formed one year later in 1889, making it one of the oldest parishes in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. The original church, built in the 1890s, was a small wooden structure on West Ninth Street, and an elementary school opened in 1914 under the direction of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Father Maximus Benso, a native of Italy, purchased the land in 1919 that eventually accommodated the church and school, serving for more than 70 years until his death in 1981 at age 96.
Msgr. George M. Scott served as pastor for nearly 30 years from 1946 to 1975, overseeing construction of the current church in 1958 when the parish included 10,000 Croatians and 5,000 Italians, mostly fishermen and cannery workers. During his tenure, Mary Star of the Sea High School opened in September 1951, with classes initially held in the elementary school. This educational foundation reflects the parish's commitment to holistic Catholic education aligned with values-driven pedagogical approaches.
Mass Schedule and Liturgical Schedule
The parish offers multiple Mass times throughout the week to serve its ethnically diverse community, with weekend Masses including a Saturday vigil and Sunday celebrations in multiple languages.
- Saturday: 8:00am, 5:15pm (Sunday Vigil)
- Sunday: 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am (Spanish), 12:00pm, 1:30pm (Croatian), 4:00pm (Italian), 5:15pm (Mass of the New Evangelization, Latin/English sung mass)
- Weekdays (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday): 8:00am, 5:15pm
- Wednesday: 8:00am, 5:15pm
Weekday Masses provide daily Eucharistic celebration for working parishioners, while the multilingual Sunday schedule serves Croatian, Italian, Spanish, and English-speaking communities.
Sacramental Services and Spiritual Programs
- Daily Morning Prayer: 7:45 a.m.
- Daily Evening Prayer: 5:00 p.m.
- Daily Rosary: 4:30 p.m.
- Perpetual Help Novena: Wednesday 5:45 p.m.
- Rosary before Mass: Monday-Friday 7:30am
Unique "Fishermen's Parish" Identity and Maritime Heritage
Mary Star of the Sea has sometimes been known as the "Fishermen's Parish" because of its close ties with the fishing and cannery community in San Pedro, located on a hill overlooking the Port of Los Angeles. The parish's renown comes principally from its relationship with the port and San Pedro's fishing community, with Croatian, Portuguese, and Italian fishing families founding the community.
The symbol of Mary Star of the Sea is the 10-foot bronze statue of Mary mounted on top of the church's bell tower, her arms outstretched toward the Port of Los Angeles, lit every night so fishermen can see her when entering or leaving the harbor. The bronze statue was a gift of the parish's fishermen, who set aside $7,000 from their "often meager tuna-catch earnings" to pay for it.
"Our parish gets its name from the fishermen - the Virgin Mary guiding and protecting them when they are at sea. The statue of Mary on top of the church on the hill overlooking the harbor is lit every night so the fishermen can see her when they enter or leave the harbor on their boats." - Msgr. Gallagher, 1989
Ethnic Diversity and Multilingual Community
Today, Mary Star of the Sea serves perhaps the most ethnically diverse parish in the entire Archdiocese of Los Angeles, with Mass celebrated in multiple languages. For many decades, the parish community was made up largely of Croatian and Italian fishermen, and these ethnic groups remain large presences alongside recently arrived groups from Latin America and Asia, especially the Philippines.
| Language | Sunday Mass Time | Community Heritage |
|---|---|---|
| English | 7:30am, 9:00am, 5:15pm | General parishioners |
| Spanish | 10:30am | Latin American families |
| Croatian | 1:30pm | Croatian fishermen descendants |
| Italian | 4:00pm | Italian fishing families |
Church Architecture and Religious Art Features
The present church, built in 1958, is the third church to serve the parish and features prominent ocean-themed religious art throughout. Inside, visitors see a large statue of Mary standing over the altar, cradling a tuna clipper in her arms, reflecting the maritime heritage.
A large mosaic of Mary standing on ocean waves appears above the church's front entrance, with the word "Stella Maris" written below-the words used as a sign of hope since the fifth century in liturgical literature. A large stained-glass window to the right of the altar depicts Jesus in a boat speaking to the fisherman, completing the fishing fleet theme.
Parish Schools and Educational Ministry
The parish operates both an elementary school and high school, served by the Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey. Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School is located by the church, while Mary Star of the Sea High School is about a 10-minute drive away.
In September 1951, Mary Star of the Sea High School opened with classes initially held in the elementary school under Msgr. Scott's leadership. Seven months before his death in April 2008, Msgr. Patrick Gallagher celebrated the opening of the new high school after overseeing development and construction for 13 years.
Parish Organizations and Ministry Groups
The parish offers numerous spiritual and service organizations for active parishioner engagement:
- Daughters of Isabella
- Maritime Ministry/Apostleship of the Sea
- Knights of Columbus
- Christian Care Ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Various prayer and ethnic groups
Father James McLaughlin, the parish's eighth pastor and a native of Ireland, established the "Apostleship of the Sea," a Catholic organization for the merchant marine. Msgr. Scott also served as the national president of the Apostleship of the Sea.
Blessing of the Fleet and Annual Traditions
For many years, the annual blessing of the fleet drew large crowds seeking God's blessing for a bountiful harvest and fleet safety. At its peak, the blessing drew 100,000 people and 200 fishing boats, with the accompanying festival attracting up to 250,000 visitors in the late 1960s. The boat parade was reportedly the second most photographed event in the nation, trailing only Pasadena's Rose Parade.
In 1985, Mary Star of the Sea began offering a special fishermen's Mass on the same day as the blessing of the fleet. The San Pedro fishing industry reached its peak in the 1940s, and by 1987 the crowd had dwindled to 200 people and 16 fishing boats, a sad reminder of the industry's decline.
Practical Visitor Information
There is a large parking lot by the church for convenient access. The Stella Maris Bookstore is open Wednesdays and Sundays, selling religious items. A cry room is available for families with young children.
The parish office is closed on Holy Days, and weekday office hours are Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm with a lunch closure from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Directions to the parish are available through the official website.
Everything you need to know about Mary Star Of The Sea Catholic Church San Pedro Insights
What are the confession times at Mary Star of the Sea?
Confessions are offered Thursday and Friday after the 5:15pm Mass, Saturday after the 8am Mass and 4:00pm-5:00pm, with Wednesday Holy Hour from 6:00pm-7:00pm. Sunday confessions are available 9:00am-10:00am.
Does the parish offer perpetual adoration?
Yes, the parish features a Perpetual Adoration Chapel located at the front of the church, established under Msgr. Patrick Gallagher's direction. Adoration is available weekdays 7:00am-6:00pm, Wednesday 6:00pm-7:00pm after Mass, Saturday 7:00am-6:00pm, and Sunday 7:00am-3:00pm.
Who is the current pastor of Mary Star of the Sea?
Reverend Father Maurice Harrigan has served as pastor since 2014, born into a large family in Glendale and leaving a successful business career to enter the seminary. Norbertine Fathers Charbel Grbavac and Alphonsus Hermes serve as associate pastors, while Father Ivan Gerovac, SJ, serves as chaplain for Croatian and Italian communities.
What makes this parish historically significant?
Established in 1889 (one year after San Pedro became a city), Mary Star of the Sea is one of the region's oldest parishes with continuous operation for over 135 years. The fishermen and cannery workers provided most funding to build the new church in the 1950s, and the 10-foot bronze Mary statue has been a harbor beacon since 1958.
Is there parking available at the church?
Yes, there is a large parking lot by the church providing ample space for parishioners and visitors.
Does the parish offer a bookstore?
Yes, the Stella Maris Bookstore operates on Wednesdays and Sundays, selling religious items and supplies for parishioners.
