SANCTUARY OF ST. FERDINAND CHURCH

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                 2013

Constructed under the jurisdiction of the Catholic religious Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Saint Ferdinand Church is a vital part one of the Valley's oldest cities.

Sanctuary of Saint Ferdinand Church in San Fernando. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.
Statues above the main altar are (l to r) San Fernando Rey de España, Saint Mary the Immaculate Conception and Saint Patrick Apostle of Ireland. Above the altar is an image of Jesus on the cross. (click on image to enlarge it.)

NUESTRA SENORA DE SAN FERNANDO

The Virgin of San Fernando - Photo taken for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht - December 2009. (click on image to enlarge)
A visit to historic San Fernando in the Northeast corner of the San Fernando Valley is a special experience. In many ways its like stepping back into Santa Barbara before the tourists and retirees arrived. Saint Ferdinand's Catholic Church is worth a visit, if only to see its very beautiful stained glass rose window.
The food in San Fernando is exceptional, especially if you are fond of real family-owned Mexican restaurants. The independent city of San Fernando is the hometown of many of the craftsmen/women who beautify other parts of Los Angeles Country. It's a community right on the edge of celebrating its crafts and arts - a great time to explore and make it part of your Valley-wise experience.

SAN FERNANDO REY DE ESPANA

2009 - The Year of Valley History
Icon Statue of Saint Ferdinand King of Spain, Saint Ferdinand's Catholic church - City of San Fernando. Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Nov. 2009

Ferdinand II was the first king of united Spain.
Born on the 10th or March 1452, King Ferdinand was originally the king of Aragon. He married Isabella the Queen of Castile. (The crest of the kingdom of Spain has the castle of Castile and the red lion of Aragon) Together the “royal” couple formed the new kingdom of Spain and bankrolled the explorer Christopher Columbus.
Ferdinand and Isabella used a common language, religion and sense of destiny to unify their Catholic kingdom. The result was the expulsion of Jews, Moslems and non-Catholic Christians from Spain, and the eventual arrival of the Inquisition.
For his religious fervor, Fernando was canonized a saint. It is San Fernando Rey de España for whom our Valley is named.
Saint Ferdinand died on 23 June 1516
Rose Window at St. Ferdinand's Catholic church on McClay Street in San Fernando, California.