Catholicism in LA

Featured Member Collection:

Loyola Marymount University Catholicism in Los Angeles

This exhibit highlights pieces from Loyola Marymount University's digital collection, which focuses Catholic influences in Los Angeles history. Materials in the collection come mainly from Workman Family Papers and Dockweiler Family Papers.

Mary Julia Workman was a devout Catholic who participated in social and religious movements in Los Angeles. In 1901, she founded the Brownson House Settlement Association, an organization that helped underprivileged and immigrant families. Among other civic pursuits, she founded the diocesan chapter of the National Council of Catholic Women in 1924. 

John Francis Dockweiler, part of the politically influential Dockweiler family, continued that political tradition. Dockweiler served as a Democratic Congressman from 1933-1939 and then as District Attorney of Los Angeles County from 1940-1943. His bid for governor of California in the 1938 Democratic primary was unsuccessful.