Our Lady of the
Valley Parish has been around since 1921.
The development
of the parish can be described in three phases. Each of which has its
own unique characteristics. Although each phase is distinct from the
others, they can all be seen as part of God’s plan of which, at
the present moment, we play our own part.
Early Phase
Our long time parishioners still talk about how this part of the valley
was scarcely populated except perhaps by the livestock that roamed in
the walnut and orange groves--and open land. At this early stage, the
parish’s boundaries were the Pacific Ocean to the south, the Ventura
County line to the west, White Oak Avenue to the east, and the Santa
Susana Mountains to the North. Four hundred square miles comprised the
parish of Our Lady of the Valley with a mere 620 parishioners.
Growth Decades
From the 1940’s through the 1950’s, OLV saw tremendous growth.
From her 400 miles of territory were carved nine new sister parishes
as the Catholic population swelled. During the heady years of the 1960’s,
two more parishes sprung forth, St. Bernardine of Siena and St. John
Eudes. Growth continued unabated with the establishment of the burgeoning
military/space age industry that brought people from all parts of the
country. Our Lady of the Valley welcomed them all.
Present Day
We are now at the present phase of God’s plan. The ranches and
farms are gone, nary an open land is left. Progress has taken hold.
Today, the parish named after Mary, the Mother of God, still welcomes
people--not merely transplants from other states of the country but
immigrants from around the world. From the vast 400 square miles of
its initial territory, the present parish is well within a mere and
manageable four square miles. From the seedling of 620 parishioners,
Our Lady of the Valley stands tall to minister to a parish with over
4100 families. We carry on the legacy and the next phase of God’s
plan is yet to unfold. With faith we journey on.
