Our Lady of Angels Church was founded in 1974 by Msgr. Charles P. Donahue, a priest of the archdiocese of Los Angeles, when his curate forbade him from offering the traditional Roman Mass at the diocesan parish where he was assisting.  Recognizing that the Novus Ordo Missae would be a detriment to his priesthood and the salvation of souls, and realizing that the systematic abuse of authority existing throughout the liberalized archdiocese would prevent him from safeguarding either in a regular parish situation, with the help of some traditionally-minded faithful, he began his own chapel in order to remain faithful to Catholic Tradition.

As with many traditional parishes, the Los Angeles area chapel started out as a private affair in the home of the Dawn family in Pasadena, CA, until finally the first public Mass was celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, 1974. Little did anyone know on that day how the parish would grow and prosper during these years. Eventually a former Foursquare Gospel church in Arcadia was purchased where Mass was offered for several years.

Despite that he had been forced to become an "independent priest", nevertheless Msgr. Donahue always desired be united to the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, and to further this wish, he met Archbishop Lefebvre in 1976, thereafter remaining a steadfast friend of the Archbishop (whom he considered his archbishop, as his local ordinary was contradicting the Faith) and his Society of St. Pius X.

As the years went by, and the crisis in the Church continued to deepen, more and more people began to come to the chapel in Arcadia, as it was the only church that offered the traditional Roman Mass in the Los Angeles area. It soon became evident that a larger, more permanent structure would be necessary for the growing parish. After much hard work on the part of Monsignor and the generosity of the faithful, a new church was blessed on December 8, 1988. The church was constructed in a Romanesque style to accommodate four hundred plus faithful, with a hall in the lower level for parish activities and classrooms for catechism.

As time went on, Msgr. Donahue began to decline more and more in health. Being the good shepherd that he was, he refused to leave his beloved parishioners bereft of a priest. It had always been his desire that the priests of the SSPX eventually assume responsibilities of the parish. To this end, Monsignor purchased a large priory in Arcadia to accommodate several priests which would prepare for the arrival of the SSPX.

On December 23, 1995, Msgr. Donahue went to his eternal reward after 42 years as a priest and 21 years as pastor in Arcadia. It was truly the end of an era in Our Lady of the Angels Parish.

In August of 1996, Fr. Charles Ward, former District Bursar, took over as pastor and prior, and with the arrival of a total of 3 priests to occupy the priory and assist at the parish, the traditional apostolate in Los Angeles County became more stabilized, and a complete parish was established. From the priory in Arcadia, 5 other missions of the SSPX are cared for in the state of California and beyond.

As the parish continued to grow and more young families became parishioners, the need for a school became apparent. In 1997, Our Lady of the Angels Academy was opened, helping parents to give their children a sound and thorough Catholic education.

Presently there are about 450 parishioners at Our Lady of Angels Church.