On May 10, 1910, seventy-five families gathered with Fr. Cotter for worship in a small cottage at the El Centro/Fremont location and called themselves Holy Family Parish. At that time the parish boundaries were Columbia Ave. to the north, Alhambra Rd. , to the south, Garfield Ave. to the east and Arroyo Dr. to the west.
 
By the following August, a temporary “bungalow church” was built to house the growing congregation until funds could be raised for a more permanent building, a “handsome edifice,” not only for themselves but for generations to come who would make their homes in this fast growing community.
 
On November 24, 1923, the property at Fremont Ave. and Rollin St. , where our church stands today, was acquired for construction of a new church. The building at El Centro was moved to the Fremont location, for use until the new church was completed.
In 1926, Fr. James B. Morris was assigned to Holy Family to raise the money to build the new church. In the years coinciding with the worst economic crisis in American history, the Great Depression, a mere three hundred families raised the money to build the beautiful house of worship we treasure today. Construction began in 1927.  It seems miraculous that the construction of this landmark building, recognized as one of the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance Baroque architecture in Southern California , was made possible by bazaars, barbecues, dances, and card parties, but it is true. Our church today is a testimony to the sacrifice, generosity, and determination of our ancestors.

On January 8, 1928, Rt. Rev. Joseph J. Cantwell, bishop of Los Angeles and San Diego, led a procession from the cottage church on El Centro Ave. to the new church on Rollin St. to bless the altar, cross and cornerstone. The first Masses in the new church took place on Easter Sunday 1928. Solemn Mass was celebrated at 6:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and Low Mass at 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Fr. Morris, rector, officiated at all the services. Formal dedication of the new church building by Bishop Cantwell followed two weeks later, on April 22, 1928.

As we now begin a new chapter in the history of Holy Family, an exciting and challenging time of development and change, we, like those who came before us, are building a legacy for the generations ahead.  
We are currently planning for our Centennial Anniversary in 2010, when we will celebrate our past as well as look ahead to our future.   It will be a year of community festivities, prayer and reflection during which we will lift up in gratitude all those who have built up our wonderful parish. 

Our 100th Anniversary celebrations get underway with a Centennial Mass on Sunday, January 31st at 12:45 p.m. celebrated by Cardinal Roger Mahony, Bishop Gabino Zavala, and Monsignor Connolly, as well as several of our former and current priests.