St. Mel Parish was established in 1955 by Monsignor Michael J. O’Connor. At that time, there were 415 families in the parish bounded by Corbin Avenue on the east, Victory Boulevard on the north, the Ventura County line on the west and the Santa Monica Mountains to the south. The church property consisted of four acres on the corner of Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills. Three more acres were purchased later.  

The first parish meeting took place in the home of the Lombardi family on Topanga Canyon Boulevard and the first Sunday Mass was held in the Tarzana Women’s Clubhouse. As parish membership quickly expanded, Mass attendance became too large for the clubhouse and Masses were moved to the Canoga Park Theater on Sherman Way (currently the Madrid Theatre.)  

The church (designed by architect Earl Trudeau), an eight-classroom school, auditorium, rectory and convent were all built at the same time at a construction cost of $510,000.   On Sunday, May 18, 1958, the doors were opened, and the first Masses were celebrated in our new church.   As the area’s Catholic population grew, twelve more classrooms and a school library were added. School enrollment in the early days was as high as almost 900 students.

In 1984, after 29 years as pastor, Msgr. O’Connor retired and was succeeded by Msgr. John Naughton.
Under his guidance, the parish added more activities, an RCIA program for adults coming into the Catholic faith, and team of Eucharistic Ministers to the sick and homebound.  

The parish center – with meeting space and staff offices – was opened in 1989.  

Msgr. Padraic Loftus became pastor in 1990. He established a Pastoral Council and drew up our parish Mission Statement.

On January 17, 1994, the church was severely damaged by the Northridge earthquake. A capital campaign raised over $5 million for repairs and, while the church was undergoing reconstruction, Masses were celebrated in a specially constructed tent that Msgr. Loftus dubbed “St. Mel in the Fields.” Repairs and upgrades were completed, and the new church was re-dedicated on March 10, 1996.  

The capital campaign that rebuilt the church also funded the construction of O’Connor Center, featuring a gym, stage, kitchen and other resources.

St. Mel Preschool opened its doors to our youngest students in 2001. In 2009 pastor Msgr. Helmut Hefner arranged to expand the campus further south with the purchase of the house that would eventually become a new rectory.  

Msgr. Hefner retired in 2013 and was succeeded by Fr. David Whorton.  

In March 2020, the global Covid-19 pandemic caused event cancellations and lockdowns around the world. Public gatherings – including Masses – had to be shutdown for months. Fr. Steve Davoren, who had become pastor in 2018, was committed to bringing the celebration of the Mass to the people through their phones and online devices. Daily and Sunday Masses were livestreamed over the internet and, when it became possible to gather outdoors, Masses were held on the lawn outside O’Connor Center.

Fr. Steve also shared daily “St. Mel Moment” videos to keep the St. Mel community connected to one another and to the faith.  

St. Mel school, under the leadership of principal Mary Beth Lutz, had made an early commitment to integrating technology into student life. As a result, they were better prepared than many others when forced by Covid into a period of online learning.

When the Covid crisis had passed, St. Mel came back with a new commitment to community service and spiritual connection.

When the Sisters of St. Louis moved out of their convent, Fr. Steve oversaw the establishment of a new Spiritual Retreat Center, including the lovely Sacred Heart Adoration Chapel.  

Seven decades since its founding, St. Mel continues to grow and thrive. The preschool, elementary school and Faith Formation program develop children who embrace their faith while striving for success in every area of life. The church is a welcoming and beautiful space to celebrate the eucharist and the sacraments while always finding new ways to bring people together through Christ.

Pastors of St. Mel Parish have included:

Msgr. Michael J. O’Connor – Founding Pastor

Msgr. John T. Naughton (pastor from 1984-1990)

Msgr. Padraic Loftus (pastor from 1990-2007)

Msgr. Helmut Hefner (pastor from 2008-2013)

Fr. David Whorton (pastor from 2013-2018)

Fr. Steve Davoren (pastor from 2018-present)