About Corpus Christi · Fremont, California
Corpus Christi Parish is a welcoming, bilingual (English and Spanish) Catholic community located in the historic Niles district of Fremont, California, within the Diocese of Oakland. Originally established in 1892 as a mission of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, it became a territorial parish in 1914 and has been served by 21 pastors across more than a century of ministry. Today the parish is led by Rev. Luis Lopez (a priest of the Diocese of Oakland originally from El Salvador) and offers Saturday Vigil, three Sunday Masses, daily Mass, First Friday Adoration, Saturday Confessions, faith formation for youth and adults, OCIA, liturgical and outreach ministries, and an active St. Vincent de Paul and Knights of Columbus presence.
- Established
- 1892 (as a mission); 1914 (as a territorial parish)
- Patron
- Corpus Christi (the Body and Blood of Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Luis Lopez (Parochial Administrator; also appointed Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary, Union City, effective September 1, 2024)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Oakland (created January 13, 1962)
Why belong here
Corpus Christi offers the rare combination of a deep, century-old history in the Niles neighborhood of Fremont with a vibrant bilingual (English/Spanish) parish life. Worshippers can attend three Sunday Masses (English at 8:30 a.m., two Spanish Masses at 10:30 a.m. and a temporary Spanish Mass at 12:00 p.m.), a Saturday Vigil, daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, and weekly Confession. Parishioners grow in faith through the OCIA process, sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation, First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, a Children's Choir, English, Spanish, and Hand bell Choirs, and a wide range of lay ministries — from Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul to lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and a Respect Life ministry. A welcoming parish mission, a mission Retiros (retreats) program, and Disaster Relief Assistance show the community's commitment to spiritual and material support for all.
Mass times at Corpus Christi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–4:00 p.m. (in the church)
- Thursdays during Holy Hour
- By appointment — call the Parish Office at (510) 790-3207
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month — silent Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, hourly commitments 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- On the Feast of Corpus Christi
- Thursdays — Holy Hour (with Confessions available)
Brief History of Corpus Christi Parish
Corpus Christi Church was founded in 1892 as a mission of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. A small wooden American Gothic-style church was built that year on property donated by the Southern Pacific Railroad, at a cost of $3,500 plus about $1,000 in furnishings, under Father Terrence Caraher. For the next twenty-two years, priests from Mission San Jose traveled to serve the mission. In 1914 Archbishop Patrick Riordan declared it a territorial parish and appointed Father John A. Leal as the first resident pastor. The present brick church was dedicated April 14, 1957 by Bishop Guilfoyle (built for about $150,000 under Fr. Richard O'Connell), and the parish center was dedicated in 1969, requiring the demolition of the original wooden church.
- 1892 – Established as a mission of the San Francisco Diocese; original wooden American Gothic church built
- 1914 – December 27: declared a territorial parish; Rev. John A. Leal named first pastor
- 1957 – April 14: present church dedicated by Bishop Guilfoyle under Fr. Richard O'Connell (~$150,000)
- 1962 – January 13: Diocese of Oakland created by Pope St. John XXIII; Bishop Floyd Lawrence Begin becomes first bishop
- 1969 – Parish Center (hall + CCD classrooms) built; original wooden church demolished
- 21 pastors have served Corpus Christi since 1914
Pastoral Staff and Clergy
The parish is currently led by Rev. Luis Lopez, who was appointed Parochial Administrator on May 17, 2019 by Bishop Michael Barber, effective July 1, 2019, and most recently (effective September 1, 2024) was additionally appointed Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary in Union City. He is assisted by a Parochial Vicar, a Permanent Deacon, and a bilingual Office Manager/Bookkeeper. Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Fundraising, and Advisory boards support the parish's governance.
- Rev. Luis Lopez — Parochial Administrator (ext. 102, [email protected])
- Rev. Carlos Ortiz — Parochial Vicar (ext. 108, [email protected])
- Deacon Alfonso Perez — Permanent Deacon (ext. 103, [email protected])
- Rosio Gallo-Casillas — Office Manager/Bookkeeper (ext. 101, [email protected])
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Corpus Christi runs a comprehensive Faith Formation program with both English and Spanish tracks. Children and teens prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation) and Reconciliation through age-appropriate classes. Sacramental preparation typically requires a one-year Spanish program or a two-year English program, regular Sunday Mass attendance, and learning the traditional prayers.
- First Communion preparation (one-year Spanish or two-year English)
- Confirmation preparation (classes begin in September)
- Educación Religiosa para Niños — special Spanish-language program for ages 9–12 who have already received First Communion
- Bilingual registration — contact the Parish Office at (510) 790-3207, ext. 101
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
The parish invites anyone interested in becoming Catholic, or baptized Catholics seeking First Communion and/or Confirmation, to enter the OCIA process. OCIA welcomes the unbaptized, Christians from other traditions seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received the rest of the Sacraments of Initiation.
- For the unbaptized exploring the Catholic faith
- For Christians from other denominations wishing to enter the Catholic Church
- For baptized Catholics needing First Communion and/or Confirmation
- Inquiries — contact the Parish Office (510) 790-3207, [email protected]
Liturgical Ministries and Music
The Liturgy Committee — comprising Music, Altar Server, Lector, Usher, Youth Ministry, and Church Environment leaders — meets with the pastor on the second Tuesday of every month in a downstairs classroom to plan the seasons and feast days. Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are expected to be of good moral character, to have received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and to have attended a preparatory session of instruction, reflection, and catechesis. Music ministry includes multiple ensembles and is currently seeking a Music Director.
- English Choir
- Spanish Choir — rehearsals Thursdays 7:00 p.m. in the church; director Maria Luisa Marquez
- Children's Choir — rehearsals Fridays 7:00 p.m.; contact Carol Zilli / Beatrice
- Hand bell Choir — Easter season
- Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Altar Servers, Ushers, Church Environment
- Music Director position (currently vacant) — [email protected]
Outreach and Service
Outreach is a defining part of parish life at Corpus Christi. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference responds to local needs (helpline: 341-529-6473), the Knights of Columbus serve the parish and broader community, and CYO offers Catholic Youth Organization athletics and activities. Disaster Relief Assistance, a Respect Life / Adoradores ministry, and a Parish Media group round out the parish's social mission.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — 341-529-6473
- Knights of Columbus
- CYO (Catholic Youth Organization)
- Respect Life / Adoradores
- Disaster Relief Assistance
- Parish Media
Parish Mission and Contact
The parish mission states: "Corpus Christi is a welcoming community that gathers as one family, diverse in age and culture. Nourished by the word of God, sacraments and devotions, we are committed to transforming our lives to be like Christ through serving and attending to the spiritual and material needs of all." The parish office at 37968 Third Street, Fremont, CA 94536, is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (phone: 510-790-3207; email: [email protected]).
- Parish Office: 37968 Third Street, Fremont, CA 94536
- Phone: (510) 790-3207
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Email: [email protected]
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul: 341-529-6473
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John A. Leal1914 – c. 1919
First pastor of Corpus Christi when it became a territorial parish in 1914 under Archbishop Riordan; lived in the sacristy for nine months until the rectory was built. Later returned to Mission San Jose until his retirement in 1954; buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Hayward.
- Rev. Richard O'Connell
Oversaw the construction of the present church building, dedicated April 14, 1957 by Bishop Guilfoyle (built for ~$150,000).
- Rev. Luis LopezJuly 1, 2019 – present
Ordained May 13, 2016 for the Diocese of Oakland; previously Parochial Vicar at St. Anthony, Oakley and Divine Mercy, Oakland. Appointed Parochial Administrator on May 17, 2019 by Bishop Michael Barber; on August 5, 2024 was also appointed Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary, Union City effective September 1, 2024.