Our Lady of Malibu before the expansion, c. 1955

The first recorded public Mass held in Malibu was in the early 1940's, celebrated by Monsignor Conneally of Santa Monica from St. Monica's Catholic Church in the Malibu Courthouse. The Mass was celebrated in the working Courthouse of Malibu for many years. The longtime judge of the Malibu Courthouse was none other than The Honorable Judge John Merrick, a longtime parishioner of OLM. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles appointed a Pastor, Fr. Daniel Gallagher, to preside over the geographical regions of Malibu and adjacent Topanga circa 1947.

The Archdiocese shortly authorized the establishment of a Catholic Church in Malibu, and construction was completed in 1950. Fr. Gallagher christened the newly built Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church with its first Mass. In 1953 the church was expanded under Fr. Joseph S. Burbage to include a Recreation Room and the Parish Rectory. The Recreation Room was later renamed Sheridan Hall after Pastor Emeritus, Monsignor John Sheridan.

The OLM Parish School for grades K-8 was added in 1955 to accommodate the burdgeoning Catholic community of Malibu. In the 1960's the church building was expanded to include a wing on either side, thereby doubling its square footage to better welcome its growing congregation.

Sketch of OLM by Ellen Cerniglia, c. 1998

Today Our Lady of Malibu is a vibrant Catholic Community that welcomes parishioners from Malibu and the surrounding communities. Many of our parishioners volunteer in the Church and the community, nurturing the good in all, and helping to spread the faith of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Good News.