A History of Incarnation Parish
1931-1972 The Building Years

Monsignor Michael Carvill assumed the pastorate in July 1931. Monsignor Carvill's long pastorate of over 40 years marked a phase of rapid growth and evolution of the parish. As more and more Catholics flocked to the parish, he managed to gradually grow the parish plant to include most of the currently existing buildings, despite the national econnomic depression which was happening at the time. A parishioner recalls seeing holes in the bottom of Monsignor Carvill's shoes at the time. People had very little money. Under his care, the parochial school was opened in September 1937. The school consisted of six classrooms and a school auditorium, which did double duty as the parish church. Monsignor Carvill celebrated the first Mass there in October 1937. It served as the parish church for 14 years. During this time, Monsignor Carvill secured the services of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary as teachers and housed them in the original Canfield home. In the post-war period, with the population of southern California booming, it became necessary to provide even more space for parishioners and church staff. The total plan included building a new church, convent and rectory, and enlargement of the school to make better accommodations for the upper grades. The old Albert Canfield home on the corner of Glenoaks and Brand Boulevards, the home which had served successively as church, rectory and convent, was moved nearby to provide for the construction of the new church. Ground was broken in the early Spring of 1951 and the construction of the new $360,000 Church of the Incarnation proceeded and was finished in the summer of 1952. The first Masses were offered in the new church on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1952. It was formally dedicated on Sunday October 12, 1952 at 10:30 a.m. by the Archbishop James Francis McIntyre. Also on hand was Bishop Timothy Manning, who would later become Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Monsignor Carvill was undoubtedly the pastor who thus far had the most impact on the parish. He saw the parish through the depression, World War II, rapid growth in the 50's, the building of the permanent church and school, the many changes in society in the 60's and finally, through the beginning of the changes in the Church in outlook and liturgical practice as a result of the Second Vatican Council. It was said that Monsignor Carvill resisted the innovations of Vatican II. His personality continues to mark the church architecture in the Irish shamrock motiff imbedded in the walls, the stained-glass windows of the Irish saints Patrick, Colmcille and Brigid along the south wall, in the St.Michael's Hall beneath the church, and the Archangel Michael guarding the entrance to the church. He retired in June 1972 and lived at the parish until he went to his glory on June 10th, 1975. Cardinal Timothy Manning presided at his funeral on June 14th, 1975.

Monsignor Michael Carvill

Associate Pastors+Sunday Help 1931-1972

Rev.John Cunningham

Rev.M.J.Brady

Rev.Eugene MacSweeney

Rev.Martin McGovern

Rev.John F. Grew

Rev.David Coleman

Rev.Michael Collins

Rev.Joe G. Ryan

Rev.Thomas Cosgrove

Rev.F.Walter Roux

Rev.Peter Scannell

Rev.Cornelius Phelan

Rev.Edward J. Sexton

Rev.Denis Garvey

Rev.Joseph Maechler

Rev.Patrick Daly

Rev.John P. Twomey

Rev.Francis J. Wallace

The "New" Church

More Incarnation Church History