OLQA

OLQA stands for Our Lady Queen of Angels or, as we call it for short, OLL CWAA.   It is a beautiful Catholic Church and 1-8th grade school in our community.  As churches go it is relatively new and just got newer with the building of a new, larger church necessitated by an ever increasing flock. 

For many years there were 2 Catholic churches in town.  On Balboa Island there was quaint St. John Vianney and on the Balboa peninsula was Our Lady of Mount Carmel, steps from the ocean, where our family was baptized.  As the city spread into the hills overlooking the harbor, land that had been grazed by cattle was now covered with master planned housing.  More people mean’s more schools and churches—Our Lady Queen of Angels was born.

At this time, the early sixties, local residents were asked for donations and contributions to get things off the ground, one of those being my Dad.  He owned and operated Irvine Coast Country Club, a local golf course frequented by one Father Harvey from OLQA.  When I say frequented, I mean he was a regular golfer on priests-day-off along with other priests from nearby parishes.  He was also a regular at the 19^th hole following said rounds of golf.

When your parish priest stands before you in full priest garb and asks, in an Irish accent, for help it is difficult to say no.  My Dad couldn’t so he agreed to donate the Stations of the Cross to the new church.  They were 14 hand carved, beautiful wood works of art depicting Christ’s suffering and death.  The Stations remained in place on the walls of the Church from that time until last year when they were taken down, refurbished, and now adorn the walls of the new OLQA across the street.

I understand the need for growth, expansion, meeting earthquake regulations and all the other reasons given for the change, but this one bothered me.  It’s just an outdated church, right?  No, that’s not right.  Three of our 4 kids were baptized there.  All of them had their first communions there.  Two of our kids were married there.  Funeral services for my grandmother, aunt, mother and father were there.  Also, baptisms, first communions, weddings and funeral services for many, many good friends and relatives were there.

Our 4 kids attended first through eighth grade at the adjacent school which meant everything from plays, choir performances and graduations for each one of them.  The foundation for their lives was formed there. 

The ceiling inside the church had these beautiful dark wood beams.  I have told my family many times that they reminded me of the hull of a ship, namely the ARC.  They helped create a feeling of strength, protection and calm that made a visit there a source of renewed spirit.  The cross, bearing Christ, was the most basic, simple, yet striking cross that commanded the altar with its simplicity.      

My Mothers favorite was Mary.  The right side of the altar was home for a small statue of Mary.  Maybe it’s possible to move something and not lose something but Mary in that place in that church was my mothers and my go-to spot when the need was great. 

One of my more memorable visits there was the Sunday following 9/11.  Many of the United Airlines flight crew that had departed from Boston that morning had been based in Corona del Mar.  The church was packed and there was a large contingent of uniformed flight personnel there to honor their friends and relatives.  Moving speeches indelibly stamped that day in my mind.  

As I drive by and turn left into the new church parking lot now it is sad for me to see the old church awaiting its fate.  No it’s not just a church.  It is a lifetime of profound memories for me.   At least the Stations of the Cross carry on.