About Church of the Transfiguration · San Jose, California
Church of the Transfiguration is a Roman Catholic parish community serving approximately 750 families in San Jose, California, within the Diocese of San Jose. Founded in October 1965 by Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, it takes its name from the Transfiguration of Jesus. The parish currently celebrates Mass on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings, with daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, and runs an active Community Ministry Outreach (CMO) serving neighbors experiencing homelessness and poverty in the surrounding community.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- The Transfiguration of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher Bransfield
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Jose (originally Archdiocese of San Francisco until 1981)
Why belong here
Church of the Transfiguration is a welcoming mid-sized parish of about 750 families in the Cambrian/Willow Glen area of San Jose, with a comfortable mix of weekend, weekday, and sacramental life. It offers a strong sacramental preparation program in collaboration with Holy Family Parish, active RCIA for children and adults, a Bible Study program, Small Faith Communities, and an unusually robust Community Ministry Outreach (CMO) that runs a Clothes Closet, a Bag Lunch Program, a Christmas Gift Project, and direct outreach to people experiencing homelessness in local encampments. Whether you are looking for daily Mass, faith formation for children and youth, a way to serve neighbors in need, or simply a warm parish family, Transfiguration offers multiple ways to participate.
Mass times at Church of the Transfiguration
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment only — call Parish Office at 669-274-6530 or email Fr. Chris Bransfield at [email protected]
Adoration times
- First Fridays — 8:45 a.m. Mass with Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction
Parish History
Church of the Transfiguration was established in October 1965 by Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, with Rev. Arthur Wendell Hofmann ("Speed") as founding pastor. The first liturgies were celebrated in July 1966 in a portable building called "The Center," and a permanent (initially "temporary") Worship Center was built in 1967 in what is now Mt. Tabor Hall. The parish was transferred to the newly created Diocese of San Jose in 1981. The parish's history was documented in the Anniversary Book by Jacqueline L. Alderete (October 2015), and the 50th anniversary was celebrated on October 17, 2015 with Bishop P. J. McGrath.
- October 1965 — Parish established; Fr. Arthur Wendell Hofmann "Speed" named founding pastor
- July 3, 1966 — First liturgies celebrated in portable building "The Center"
- September 10, 1967 — First liturgy in the renovated eight-room Worship Center
- 1975 — 10th anniversary celebrated around the parish-built Community Park
- March 21, 1981 — Parish becomes part of newly formed Diocese of San Jose
- February 27, 1988 — First liturgy in the new Work Center
- August 1995 — 30th Parish Anniversary
- October 2005 — 40th Anniversary celebration
- May 2010 — Parish loan retired after 45 years
- October 17, 2015 — 50th Anniversary Mass with Bishop P. J. McGrath
Installation of Fr. Christopher Bransfield
Rev. Fr. Christopher Bransfield became Transfiguration's new parish pastor on July 1, 2024. His official Installation Mass was celebrated by Diocese of San Jose Bishop Oscar Cantu on October 12, 2024 at the Saturday 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass. Visiting clergy included Master of Ceremonies Fr. Jeff Fernandez, Fr. James Okafor (Pastor at St. Francis Cabrini), Fr. Gerard Okafor, and Fr. Gener Geronimo. During the Rite of Installation, following the Gospel reading, Fr. James read the letter of appointment and Fr. Chris stood before the bishop as Pastor-elect; Bishop Cantu addressed him with the Profession of Faith and Oath, and then invited him to take his place at the presider's chair.
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Christopher Bransfield and supported by a small, dedicated lay staff. The Parish Office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Pastor: Rev. Christopher Bransfield
- Office Manager: Donna Pfaff
- Catechetical Coordinator: Judy Bateman
- Administrative Assistant / Bulletin Editor: Judy Bateman
- Parish Accountant: Maria Pepper
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation for Grades K–12 and Sacramental Preparation for Grades 2–12 are run in collaboration with nearby Holy Family Parish — now in the parish's third year of that partnership. Registrations for the 2024–2025 year closed August 4, 2024, with parent orientation in August and classes beginning in September. Adult Confirmation (for adults 18+ who are already baptized and have received First Eucharist) had registration close July 21, 2024, with the Sacrament Mass celebrated in October with Bishop Cantu.
- Faith Formation Grades K–12 (in collaboration with Holy Family Parish)
- Sacramental Preparation Grades 2–12 (in collaboration with Holy Family Parish)
- RCIA for Children (age 7+) and for Adults
- Adult Confirmation (18+, already baptized & received First Eucharist)
- Edge and LifeTeen Youth Groups — meet Sundays 6:15–8:00 p.m. at Holy Family Parish Youth Hall (4848 Pearl Ave., San Jose 95136)
- Contact: Judy Bateman, 669-274-6530, [email protected]
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) at Transfiguration welcomes anyone who has expressed interest in becoming Catholic, those baptized Catholic but not yet confirmed or having received First Eucharist, and those baptized in another denomination who wish to become Catholic. Participants share questions, insights, and faith stories in a warm, accepting setting. A parallel RCIA process for children age 7+ is also offered, focusing on teachings, experience of Church, and preparation to celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist during the Easter Season — this process typically takes two years and has separate sessions for children, youth, and adults.
Our Ministries
The parish supports a wide range of ministries spanning faith formation, liturgy, music, hospitality, prayer, and service. Most are coordinated by volunteer parishioners with the support of the pastor and staff.
- Adult Faith Formation — Judy Bateman
- Bible Study Program — Mary Gould
- Caregivers to the Homebound — Fr. Chris Bransfield
- Church Environment — Susan Glenfield
- Dignity of Human Life — Fr. Chris Bransfield
- Grief & Consolation Ministry — Trinie Gutierrez-Rodriguez
- Liturgical Ministries (Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, Lectors) — Fr. Chris Bransfield
- Musicians
- Offering Team
- Prayer Intentions / Bulletin — Judy Bateman
- Small Faith Communities
- Social Events
Community Ministry Outreach (CMO)
Community Ministry Outreach (CMO) is described by the parish as the visible manifestation of the Gospel's call to action. Its two main purposes are to provide opportunities for parishioners to serve others and to meet the needs of people in the surrounding community without cost. CMO brings together five core programs.
- CMO Clothes Closet — appointments-based distribution of clothing and small housewares (Parish Office building; open Tue–Thu 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.)
- Bag Lunch Program — volunteers assemble and distribute lunches to Catholic charities and Amigos de Guadalupe
- Outreach to the Unhoused — volunteers distribute clothing and shoes from the Clothes Closet to homeless encampments and to community service organizations (Sacred Heart Community Services, The Grateful Garment Project, Real Options Pregnancy Center)
- Christmas Gift Project — anonymous Christmas toy program for families
- Christmas Outreach — collection of socks, mittens, knit caps, towels, blankets, sleeping bags, and toiletry items for distribution at homeless encampments
Sacraments
Transfiguration prepares parishioners for and celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Confessions are by appointment; Baptisms, Confirmation/First Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Matrimony are coordinated through the Parish Office.
- Reconciliation — by appointment; 669-274-6530 or [email protected]
- Baptism — contact Parish Office at 669-274-6530
- Confirmation and Holy Eucharist — Judy Bateman, [email protected]
- Anointing of the Sick — Fr. Chris Bransfield, 669-274-6530
- Holy Matrimony — contact Parish Office
- RCIA (Adults and Children) — Judy Bateman, [email protected]
- After-hours priest emergencies: DSJ Answering Service Hotline 408-345-2445
Visit & Contact
The Parish Office is located at 4325 Jarvis Avenue in San Jose, California 95118, in the Willow Glen / Cambrian area. Office hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed; registration information is available by calling the Parish Office.
- Address: 4325 Jarvis Avenue, San Jose, California 95118
- Parish Office phone: 669-274-6530
- Office hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- General email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Catechetical Coordinator: [email protected]
- Office Manager: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Arthur Wendell Hofmann "Speed"1965–1981
Founding pastor, established the parish from the Archdiocese of San Francisco
- Fr. Wm. Leininger (Bill Leininger)1981–1997
Joined the parish staff in 1972; named pastor 1981; formed the Pastoral Team; retired June 1997
- Fr. George Aranha1997–2002
3rd pastor; spent five months in Rome (returned June 2000); moved to new assignment June 2002
- Fr. Walter McMahon2002–2014
4th pastor; retired August 2014
- Fr. Tito Jesus Cartagenas, Jr.2014–2024
5th pastor
- Fr. Christopher Bransfield2024–present
6th pastor; installed October 12, 2024 by Bishop Oscar Cantu