Bullet Biography of Rev. Monsignor Otto E. Sporrer

• Born in Buffalo, New York, Jan.6, 1912.  His father was a German immigrant.  He had two sisters, Katharine and Elisabeth.

Developed an interest in vehicles: planes, trains (model), automobiles, boats and bikes when, around the age of 3, due to curiosity, burned his hand on the exhaust pipe of a motorcycle.

• Family moved to Alhambra, Calif. when he was 9 years old.
• Graduated from high school in Alhambra
• Although he had already enrolled at Loyola for college, he decided at the last minute that he wanted to become a priest. He was accepted to a “junior seminary”, St. Joseph’s College in Mountain View, CA, for four years of study.
• Spent six years at the “major seminary” in Menlo Park, CA  

Became interested in photography

• In 1938 was ordained at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Los Angeles, his home diocese.
• Appointed to St. Agnes Parish in Los Angeles as his first assignment.
• Transferred to St. Monica’s “at the beach” where he taught school and did parish work.

Was the victim of an armed robbery at the parish rectory.   The perpetrators ultimately were tried and sentenced to life in prison with the help of his testimony.

• Joined the armed forces as a Navy chaplain during WWII and later assigned to the Marines during the Korean War. Altogether he spent nearly 23 years in the military.

One of his jobs as chaplain was also to organize and run the library on the ships where he served.

• Retired from the Navy and was assigned the job of creating St. Nicholas Parish by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (1965).
• Shepherded St. Nicholas for the next 22 years, retiring as pastor in 1987.  

In 1981 he had been invested as “Monsignor” by the Diocese of Orange (he still preferred to be called “Father”, however).
He remained “in residence” at St. Nicholas until his death.

• April 10, 1988,  celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination
• Sept. 5, 1993, at age 81, departed to his heavenly home

St. Nicholas Parish is a Catholic community, celebrating our faith through the Sacrament, Liturgy, Prayers and Service. We strive to nurture family life and to create one body of many in the Lord. We share the Good News with people of all ages, cultures and faith backgrounds.
 

Copywrite 2007 - 2014 • St Nicholas Church • All rights reserved