About Immaculata · San Diego, California
The Immaculata is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of San Diego located on the campus of the University of San Diego in the Linda Vista / Alcalá Park neighborhood of San Diego. The church was dedicated on May 5, 1959 and was originally built as the main chapel of the University of San Diego and Immaculate Heart Seminary. Today it is a separate parish serving the university community and surrounding Linda Vista and southern Clairemont neighborhoods, and is widely regarded as the largest church building in the Diocese of San Diego. The parish is pastored by Rev. Matthew D. Spahr (since 2003) and describes itself as 'a vibrant, diverse Roman Catholic community called to serve as faithful disciples of Christ' and 'a beacon of faith and a spiritual home to all who seek God.'
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception)
- Rector
- Rev. Matthew D. Spahr
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
The Immaculata offers a rare combination of architectural beauty, a richly layered history going back to 1959, and a diverse parish life rooted in the Sacraments, Scripture, and Liturgy. Parishioners can worship in one of the most striking church buildings in the Diocese of San Diego — a 900-seat Spanish Revival church with a mosaic dome, imported Italian Stations of the Cross, and an Oberammergau crucifix — and grow through OCIA, Family Faith Formation K–8, Adult Faith Formation, high school youth ministry, and a deep roster of ministries including music, Eucharistic ministry, Knights of Columbus, Fr. Joe's Village outreach, and Creation Care. Whether you are a USD student, a Linda Vista or southern Clairemont resident, or simply drawn to the beauty of the place, the parish invites you to register as a member and become part of its ongoing mission to be 'a beacon of faith and a spiritual home to all who seek God.'
Mass times at Immaculata
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. (in the church)
- By appointment — call the parish office to schedule
Adoration times
- Tuesdays 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (in the church)
- Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (in the church)
About The Immaculata
The Immaculata is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of San Diego located on the University of San Diego campus in the Linda Vista neighborhood of San Diego. Its mission statement reads: 'Inspired and strengthened by the Sacraments, Scripture and Liturgy, we are a vibrant, diverse Roman Catholic community called to serve as faithful disciples of Christ in our lives and ministries. With our Blessed Mother to guide us, we strive to be a beacon of faith and a spiritual home to all who seek God.' The parish is known for the striking beauty of its Spanish Revival church — particularly its mosaic dome and red Cordova tile roof — and for its long history of serving both the university community and the surrounding Linda Vista and southern Clairemont neighborhoods.
- Parish name comes from the Latin title for Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as the Immaculate Conception
- Located at 5998 Alcalá Park on the University of San Diego campus, San Diego, CA 92110
- Member of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
History of the Parish
The Immaculata traces its origins to the vision of the Most Reverend Charles Francis Buddy, founding bishop of the Diocese of San Diego. Designed by architect Frank Hope and built by contractor L.J. Ninteman, the church was dedicated on May 5, 1959 as the chapel of the University of San Diego, the chapel of the Immaculate Heart Seminary, and the parish church for the Linda Vista and southern Clairemont communities. In the summer of 1970, ownership transferred from the University of San Diego to the Diocese of San Diego, and The Immaculata became its own parish — today the largest church building in the diocese.
- Founded/dedicated: May 5, 1959
- Founded by: Most Reverend Charles Francis Buddy, first Bishop of San Diego
- Architect: Frank Hope; Contractor: L.J. Ninteman
- Ownership transferred to the Diocese of San Diego in summer 1970
- Silver Anniversary celebrated May 5, 1984
- Parish archival records (1948–1986) preserved at USD Copley Library, Archives and Special Collections
Architecture
The Immaculata is widely regarded as the largest church building in the Diocese of San Diego and one of the most distinctive in San Diego. Spanish styling dominates the exterior, with a blue-and-gold mosaic dome and red Cordova tile roof. The cruciform building stretches 200 feet in length and 148 feet across the transept, and its bell tower rises 167 feet from the ground.
- Style: Spanish Revival with mosaic dome and red Cordova tile roof
- Plan: Cruciform, 200 ft long × 148 ft wide through transept
- Bell tower topped by a 300-pound cross, total height 167 feet
- Statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception atop the dome — 10 ft 8 in tall, ~8,500 lbs
- Solid bronze front doors
- 20 interior side chapels with Italian Stations of the Cross
- Hand-carved Oberammergau crucifix on the north wall
- Barrel-vaulted ceiling: 50 ft over nave/transept, 105 ft under the sanctuary dome
- Marble and marble aggregate on pillars and floor; main altar is one slab of marble
- Seating capacity: approximately 900
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The parish offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for three groups: those not yet baptized who want to explore Catholicism, Christians baptized in another faith who wish to enter the Catholic Church, and baptized Catholics who missed First Communion and/or Confirmation. Contact Pastoral Associate Laura Martin-Spencer at (619) 574-5703 or [email protected] for more information.
Family Faith Formation (Grades K–8)
Family Faith Formation (FFF) integrates Catholic teaching into the classroom and the home using the Our Sunday Visitor 'Alive in Christ' curriculum. Each month families attend three in-person sessions (1st Sunday large gathering 9:30–11:30 a.m.; 2nd and 4th Sundays at the parish 9:45–11:15 a.m.), with a 3rd-Sunday family activity at home. First Reconciliation (Fall) and First Communion (Spring) are part of FFF for children in 2nd grade and up. Parent sessions run concurrently with children's classes.
- Curriculum: OSV 'Alive in Christ'
- 1st Sunday: large family gathering, 9:30–11:30 a.m.
- 2nd & 4th Sundays: in-person at The Immaculata, 9:45–11:15 a.m.
- 3rd Sunday: at-home family activity
- First Reconciliation (Fall) and First Communion (Spring) for 2nd graders and up
- Tuition 2025–2026: 1 child $65; 2 children $90; 3+ children $115
- Coordinator: Marissa Barajas, (619) 574-5702
Youth & High School Ministry
The Immaculata runs an active teen youth ministry centered on prayer, fellowship, education, and discussion, plus a Youth Music Ministry for singers in 2nd grade and up and instrumentalists with at least three years of study. Coordinator: Arianna Calio, [email protected]. The parish also offers a two-year teen Confirmation preparation program.
- Youth Music Ministry for singers 2nd grade and up
- Instrumentalists welcome with at least 3 years of study
- Witness to Love marriage-prep ministry
Adult Faith Formation
The Adult Faith Formation team hosts Adult Confirmation preparation, mini-retreats, ongoing catechesis, and parish community events. Monthly sessions run from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. with childcare available. Contact Laura Martin-Spencer at [email protected] or (619) 574-5703.
Parish Staff
The Immaculata is pastored by Rev. Matthew D. Spahr and supported by a small staff of lay ministers and administrators.
- Rev. Matthew D. Spahr — Pastor
- Laura Martin-Spencer — Pastoral Associate
- Lupe Rios — Music Director, (619) 574-5700
- Marissa Barajas — Family Faith Formation Coordinator, (619) 574-5702
- Janice Corbett — Office Manager
- Flavia Soria — Parish Secretary
- Arianna Calio — Wedding Director & Coordinator of Youth Ministry, (619) 574-5704
- Don McAndrew — Sacristan
Liturgical Ministries
The Immaculata's Music Ministry, led by Lupe Rios, provides music for the Saturday Vigil, the two Sunday Masses, Holy Days, and special liturgies throughout the year. The Saturday 4:30 p.m. choir rehearses at 3:45 p.m. in Madonna Hall; the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sunday choirs (note: times appear in the choir description; Sunday Masses are at 8:30 and 11:30 a.m.) rehearse together at 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays in the church. A Youth Music Ministry brings together singers 2nd grade and up with adult mentors.
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Lectors
- Ushers / Greeters
- Altar Servers
- Altar Linen Care
- Liturgical Environment
- Kids Pew Crew
Outreach & Social Ministries
The Immaculata has a deep bench of outreach ministries that serve neighbors in need across San Diego.
- Fr. Joe's Village — partnership with Father Joe's Villages to prevent and end homelessness in San Diego (contact: David Wheldon)
- Food Pantry
- Give Back Sundays
- Homebound Ministry (bringing Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass)
- Bereavement Ministry
- Divine Diners
- Senior Ministry
- Knights of Columbus
- Ladies of the Immaculata
- Creation Care
- Mental Health Ministry
- We See You San Diego
Community & Fellowship Ministries
Fellowship and small-group ministries help build parish friendships and faith-sharing communities.
- Donut & Coffee Ministry
- Parish Fellowship Events
- Bible Study
- Book Club
- Parish Rosary
- Young Adults
- Stewardship Committee
- Safety Ministry
- Child Care
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church.
- Baptism — Infants: contact Patty & Jim Infantine (619) 889-3315. Ages 7–17 & adults: contact Laura Martin-Spencer (619) 574-5703
- First Communion — Ages 7–17: contact Sarah Hillier (619) 574-5702; Children in 2nd grade and up prepared through Family Faith Formation
- Confirmation — Teen two-year preparation program
- Marriage — Contact Arianna Calio, Wedding Director, at (619) 574-5704
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Saturdays 3:30–4:15 p.m., or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — By appointment through the parish office
- OCIA — For the unbaptized, baptized Christians entering the Church, and Catholics seeking First Communion/Confirmation
Registering as a Parishioner
New parishioners can register through the parish's online system, My Own Church (MOC), at sandiego.parishsoftfamilysuite.com by selecting 'The Immaculata Parish, San Diego' under 'new user.' Once the office approves the account, families can update names, addresses, phone, email, and ministry participation, and upload photos for the parish's pictorial directory. Paper registration forms are also available from the parish office (Flavia Soria, [email protected]). The parish also uses Flocknote for parish communications — text IMMACULATA to 84576 to sign up for emails and texts.
Visit, Hours & Contact
Whether you want to attend Mass, spend time in prayer, or talk with the parish staff, The Immaculata welcomes you.
- Address: 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110 (inside the USD campus)
- Phone: (619) 574-5700
- Fax: (619) 574-5707
- Email: [email protected]
- Church Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Sat & Sun 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; Sat closed
- Website: http://www.theimmaculata.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. William Bergin1959–1964
First pastor of The Immaculata
- Rev. William J. Kiefer1964–1966
- Rev. Patrick Kearney1966–1968
- Rev. J. Vincent Sullivan1968–1969
- Rev. Jeremiah O'Sullivan1969–1972
- Rev. Msgr. John R. Portman1972–1976
- Rev. Robert Callahan1976–1979
- Rev. James R. Rankin1979–1983
- Rev. Michael Gallagher1983–1986
- Rev. Michael A. Smith1986–1990
- Rev. Msgr. Mark Campbell1990–1993
- Rev. Msgr. Daniel Dillabough1993–1998
Administrator
- Rev. Michael Robinson1998–1999
Rector
- Rev. Edward McNulty1999–2003
Rector
- Rev. Matthew D. Spahr2003–present
Current pastor; longest-tenured pastor in parish history