Angelus News | May 7, 2021 | Vol. 6 No. 9

The thousands of gallons of water used to put out the fire last July caused the floor of the mission’s sacristy to sink, revealing layers of stone and brick used to first build the church.
No human remains have been found in excavations since the fire. | VICTOR ALEMÁN
The story of a son of San Gabriel
David Charlebois being filmed for “LA
Catholic Stories.” | VICTOR ALEMÁN
David Charlebois’ connection with
Mission San Gabriel spans a lifetime.
As a child, he visited the mission for
his fourth-grade mission report. Years
later, he and his wife were married
there. And just two weeks before the
July 2020 fire, he had completed restoration
work on its interior.
Now, the next chapter in his relationship
with the mission is being written.
A historical art restoration contractor
in Southern California for more than
60 years, he has worked on landmarks
from the Angels Flight railway in
downtown LA to Griffith Observatory
and famed architect Frank Lloyd
Wright’s textile block houses. But his
favorite project is the restoration of his
beloved mission, all while maintaining
the integrity of the labor, the lives, and
the efforts of those who first laid its
foundations.
For Charlebois, helping rebuild the
place that nurtured his faith is more
than a job. He credits that faith with
“seeing him through” many trials in
life, including a bout with cancer, the
loss of his daughter as a child, and
serving in the Vietnam War.
Earlier this year, Charlebois was
profiled for a new monthly video series
produced by the Archdiocese of Los
Angeles’ digital team. The project aims
to shed a light on the unique faith testimonies
of Los Angeles-area Catholics
who have leaned on their faith to guide
their personal and professional lives.
To watch Charlebois’ story and others,
go to lacatholics.org/stories and follow
#LACatholicStories on social media.
12 • ANGELUS • May 7, 2021