Claretian priest Father Richard Estrada prepares for noon Mass at La Placita in Los Angeles, which is celebrating its centennial this year. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Father Estrada performs communion at the church, which is known for its service to immigrants. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
In the 2000s, Father Richard Estrada helped organize some of the biggest protests in city history, bringing out hundreds of thousands of marchers against legislation aimed at criminalizing illegal immigrants and those who aid them. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
In recent years, the church has redoubled its social activism after the Claretian Missionary order voted in 2001 to champion the cause of immigrants and the poor as one of two priorities, along with developing lay leadership. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
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Parishioners sing during afternoon Mass. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
On any given week, the priests at La Placita conduct about 30 Masses, weddings and quinceaneras for more than 10,000 people, hear 10 hours of confessions and baptize hundreds of babies. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Father Richard Estrada chats a volunteer during an evening meal for the homeless at La Placita. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Father Estrada chats with “Rosey” during the meal. On one recent evening, 300 hungry and homeless women lined up in the plaza to be fed. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
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Miguel Cervantes sits across the alley from La Placita as he waits for volunteers to serve the evening meal. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
La Placita, as Our Lady Queen of Angels is affectionately known, offers English classes, a health clinic, food distribution for seniors, hot meals for the homeless, legal aid, income tax help and a 12-step program to help people overcome addictions. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
La Placita church in 1818 (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
