Louis Zamparini

April 1, 1917 at the font we use to this day, Olympic Champion and WWII hero, Louis Zamperini, was baptized by Fr. Rengel. Louis was the subject of Laura Hillenbrand​'s best-selling book, Unbroken, which was made into an Academy Award nominated movie.

"Of the myriad gifts he has left us, the greatest is the lesson of forgiveness," Hillenbrand said.

And so, his parish of birth and baptism honors Louis--above all his acts of heroism-- for his incredible act of forgiveness to his enemies. May he be crowned with a wreath that does not wither. (1 Cor 9:25)
Louis died on July 2, 2014. RIP



Our baptismal font still as it appeared when Louis Zamparini was baptized in 1917. The brass top was fully restored in 2016.