GUARDIAN ANGEL NEEDS HELP RICHER PARISHES ASKED TO AID A POOR ONE.

Byline: Rachel Uranga Staff Writer

PACOIMA - After feeding, clothing and providing spiritual guidance for more than a half-century to some of the San Fernando Valley's poorest residents, Guardian Angel Catholic Church needs a hand - and maybe a miracle.

The 250-seat brick church can no longer accommodate the nearly 3,000 worshippers who flock there even though seven Masses are celebrated every Sunday. So, in an unprecedented move, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is asking a half-dozen of the Valley's wealthier churches to ask their own congregations to contribute to help build a new $4 million church for Guardian Angel.

``It's a small church that serves a poor population and we have a commitment to serve the poor,'' said Bishop Gerald Wilkerson, who is spearheading the effort.

``It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. They can't park there. It's time for us to improve their lot.''

Plans call for building a 1,000-seat church and rectory on four acres at Gain Street and Borden Avenue. Construction is expected to begin in three to six years, depending on fund-raising efforts.

Guardian Angel School, which has about 300 students, would remain at the existing site, just off Van Nuys Boulevard on Lehigh Street.

``These are our brothers and sisters in faith. We are happy to do this,'' said the Rev. Robert McNamara of St. Bernardine's Catholic Church in Woodland Hills, which is asking its parishioners to raise $93,000 - or one-tenth of the church's income - for the effort.

``Life can be difficult and we want to help them out.''

The site of the new church is about six blocks from Guardian Angel, which some longtime members fear will make it inaccessible to a large number of parishioners.

``A lot of people who live here, they don't drive. If they move the church, a lot of people here won't be able to go to church,'' said Alma Avila, 20, who grew up attending Guardian Angel.

``They need something bigger, but I don't want them to take this church, to change it,'' said her mother, Juliana Talavera.

However, others note a new church will alleviate the standing-room-only crowds at Guardian Angel's Sunday Masses.

Parishioners vie for one of the 34 parking places or park on the streets around the church. Rain or shine, they squeeze into wooden benches set up in the courtyard, listening to the Mass through speakers placed on the church's roof.

Talavera arrives at 6:30 a.m. Sundays just to get a seat for the 7 a.m. Mass - the least-crowded of the four Spanish-languages services.

Some worshippers have already left Guardian Angel, choosing instead to attend Santa Rosa in San Fernando or St. Ferdinand's and Mary Immaculate churches in Pacoima.

Church officials say that even after the new church is built, the older church will continue to offer Masses daily and once on Sunday.

``We are not going to walk away from the church. We will continue to maintain our presence in the projects but we have a large group that needs to be served outside of the projects, too,'' Wilkerson said.

Built in 1929, the church was originally surrounded by orange and olive orchards. But by the 1960s, it was crowded out by a sprawling public housing project, with a mostly African-American population. Today, the project residents are mostly Latino, many immigrants with a strong Roman Catholic faith.

``For many it gives them hope,'' said the Rev. Steven Guitron, the church's pastor.

Maria Mondragon of Panorama City, a 35-year-old mother of three, said the construction is long overdue.

``I am so grateful,'' she said. ``It's a refuge for so many.''

For Maria Gallegos, 42, who lived most of her life less than 300 feet from the church, its diminished presence pains her.

``It's a place for the community. It's so important that we have it here.''

A small statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe - the patron saint of Mexico and protector of the poor - sits in her kitchen. Several portraits of the Virgin are tacked to her wall, along with a simple cross. She tears up just thinking about a time when the church's presence will diminish.

``It shouldn't go for anything,'' she said, shaking her head. ``I don't know what I will do.''

Rachel Uranga, [phone]

rachel.uranga(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) The Rev. Steven Guitron of Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Pacoima blesses a Virgin of Guadalupe artwork held by a parishioner. The church's 250 seats cannot accommodate the nearly 3,000 worshippers attending Mass each Sunday.

(2 -- color) The Rev. Steven Guitron greets parishioners following Sunday service at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Pacoima. The Los Angeles archdiocese has asked wealthier Valley parishes to help fund a new site for the tiny church.

(3 -- color) Guadalupe Mendoza Limon, center, prays during a crowded church service at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Pacoima - whose 250 seats cannot accommodate the nearly 3,000 worshippers attending Mass each Sunday.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer