ANN BLYTH SUPERSTAR MADE HER HOME IN TOLUCA LAKE

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

On the corner of Moorpark Street and Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood stands one of the San Fernando Valley's most impressive Catholic churches, Saint Charles Borromeo. This impressive building was financed by contributions chiefly from successful members of the Valley's entertainment community. Among these was the Academy Award winning actress Ann Blyth who made her home in Toluca Lake.  Among her many memorable performances was her award in the 1945 film, Mildred Pierce.

Ann Blyth - fan card photograph - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

FAMOUS ACTRESS LORETTA YOUNG LIVED IN TOLUCA LAKE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

The beautiful and world famous Loretta Young lived and worked in the San Fernando Valley. When she made the film "Eternally Yours", she worked with the leading man David Niven. Ms. Young was among the entertainers who lived in Toluca Lake, Studio City and North Hollywood who helped to finance the building of Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood.  

Loretta Young and David Niven in 1939 film "Eternally Yours" an United Artists film.

Jane Putney Collection -  Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley  2010

FRA JUNIPERO SERRA OFM

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Miquel Serra y Ferrer, founder of the California Mission System, was born in Majorca Spain in 1713. He took the religious name Junipero, in honor of Saint Juniper an early follower of Saint Francis Assisi.  Fra Junipero Serra became a missionary of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), the Franciscans. He served his church in Spain, Mexico and eventually in Baja and Alta California. From his headquarters in the Mission San Carlos, his oversaw the Catholic Missions of California, including the Mission San Fernando Rey de España in Mission Hills. He died in 1784. 

Statue of Blessed Junipero Serra in the gardens of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Encino, California. The first parish church of Saint Charles Borromeo in North Hollywood (now the parish hall) was modeled on the Mission Church of San Carlos when Fra Junipero Serra is buried.  (photo by Gerald Fecht for the archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2011)

SACRED IMAGES SAINT CHARLES CHURCH IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

Tile Mural of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop of Milan Italy 1584 - Holy Family Services Center North Hollywood - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.
Detail from the Tile Mural of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop of Milano 1584 (click on image to enlarge) San Carlos is the patron saint of the California missions.

Tabernacle in the Eucharistic Chapel of Saint Charles Church in North Hollywood. Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010.
Detail from Stained Glass Window in the Eucharistic Chapel of Saint Charles Borromeo church in North Hollywood. Icon represents the membership of Jesus in the House of David. Generally the Ivory Tower represents the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus.

Detail from Stained Glass Windows of the Eucharistic Chapel of Saint Charles church in North Hollywood. Oak branches usually signify that Jesus was a descendant of the Jewish House of Jesse.

MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY PREPARES NoHo HISTORIC DISTRICT TOUR

Mosaic Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help - Saint Charles Borromeo Church - North Hollywood - 2008 - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

Members of the Museum Community have begun work on the mapping and creation of tours of the NoHo Historic District. Shel Weisbach and Richard Hilton are our expects on the physical tour. Arturo Perez and Steve Sedlic will work on the kiosk, virtual and internet educational aspects. Michael Stevens will focus on bringing civic and corporate sponsorship of the project.

You can help us with the big undertaking by: supplying historic and present day photographs of present day North Hollywood, giving us tips about historic sites, sending us contact persons.

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.