About Immaculate Conception · Albuquerque, New Mexico
Immaculate Conception Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish located near Central Avenue in the heart of downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 619 Copper Avenue NW. It was founded by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in the early 1880s and served continuously by the Jesuits from its dedication in May 1884 until June 2021, when — at the request of the Jesuit Provincial due to dwindling vocations — pastoral care was transferred to the secular clergy of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. The parish is rooted in Ignatian spirituality and remains a culturally diverse, inclusive community committed to the Gospel, caring for the poor and marginalized, and feeding the homeless downtown each Sunday through its famous Bread and Blessings ministry.
- Established
- 1882
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Steve E. Rosera, J.C.L.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is downtown Albuquerque's historic Jesuit-founded parish, still rooted in Ignatian spirituality and a ministry of radical hospitality. Daily Mass, regular Reconciliation, a Spanish-language Sunday liturgy, and a vibrant Faith Formation program for K–8 and Confirmation make it easy to plug in as a family, while the Bread and Blessings Sunday lunch — serving over 100 guests-in-need each week — and the Justice & Life Ministry offer concrete ways to serve the poor and marginalized right in the parish basement. With an experienced pastor, two parochial vicars, three deacons, and a parish school (St. Mary's) next door, ICC is an inclusive, welcoming community where newcomers can both pray deeply and serve generously.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Saturday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Parish History
Immaculate Conception is the oldest continuously Catholic-serving institution in downtown Albuquerque, founded by Italian Jesuits from the Naples Province who were brought to New Mexico by Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy in 1867. The parish grew up alongside St. Mary's School and served as the Jesuit 'home base' for founding five other area parishes. After 152 years of Jesuit ministry, pastoral care was handed over to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe on July 1, 2021.
- 1867 – Five Naples Province Jesuits arrive in Santa Fe with Bishop Lamy
- 1868 – Jesuits take over San Felipe Church in Old Town Albuquerque
- 1880 – Railroad arrival prompts New Town expansion; site chosen at Sixth and Copper
- 1882 – Construction directed by Fr. Donato M. Gasparri, S.J.
- 1883 – Church completed; 1893 – St. Mary's School opens next door
- 1892–1924 – Fr. Alphonso Mandalari era (civic legend, UNM regent)
- 1944–1965 – Fr. Patrick J. Kelleher ('Father Pat') builds the current church, convent, rectory, and expands Mt. Calvary Cemetery; grand dedication May 1960
- July 1, 2021 – Transfer to Archdiocese of Santa Fe secular clergy after 152 years of Jesuit pastoral care
Architecture & Buildings
The current Immaculate Conception church was completed in 1958 and designed by architect Edward J. Schulte. Its light tan brick exterior, cast stone tower, entry façade, and stained-glass frames define the downtown skyline, and its interior — with gilded columns, blue stained glass, mosaic-tile altarpiece, and vaulted ceiling — gives the sanctuary a bright, soaring feel.
- Architect: Edward J. Schulte
- Completed: 1958
- Light tan brick exterior with light-colored cast stone tower, entry façade, and stained-glass frames
- Blue stained-glass windows and gilded-and-colored mosaic-tile altarpiece
- Vaulted ceiling faceted to align with tops of stained-glass windows
Clergy & Parish Staff
Immaculate Conception is currently served by a diocesan pastor, two parochial vicars, and three permanent deacons — a configuration that took shape after the 2021 transition from Jesuit administration. Lay staff and religious sisters round out the parish office, faith formation team, and sacramental preparation.
- Rev. Steve E. Rosera, J.C.L. — Pastor (diocesan priest, ordained June 1980; studied at College of Santa Fe, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Pontifical College Josephinum, and Catholic University of America)
- Rev. Robert Bustamante — Parochial Vicar (diocesan priest, Albuquerque native, ordained 2017; formerly at San Juan Bautista, Ohkay Owingeh and San Ignacio)
- Rev. Stephen A. Gaertner, O.Praem. — Parochial Vicar (Norbertine of New Mexico, ordained 2016; Vocations Director for Santa María de la Vid Abbey)
- Deacon George Sandoval, Ph.D. — Deacon Emeritus (assists at 8:00 AM Mass and FOCCUS training)
- Deacon Don Roseborough — Deacon Emeritus (baptism and bereavement ministry)
- Deacon Stephen Sais — Permanent Deacon (ordained 2018; St. Mary's School Consultative Council)
- Sr. Teresa Aparicio, OLVM — Co-Coordinator, Office of Faith Formation
- Debbie Garcia — Co-Coordinator, Office of Faith Formation; 25-year educator at St. Mary's School
- Karime Ramirez — Parish Receptionist
- Jean Ann Chavez — Parish Bookkeeper / Business Administrator
- Erne Woodley — Sacristan (Sundays)
- Rita Sanchez — Sacristan (12:10 PM Monday/Wednesday/Friday Masses)
- Henry Sullivan and Jacques Gauvin — Sacristans (Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday)
St. Mary's School & Religious Education
St. Mary's School, founded alongside the parish in 1893 and staffed for generations by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, remains the favored Catholic school for downtown students. ICC's parish-based Faith Formation program complements the school with K–8 religious education and Confirmation classes held Sundays in the St. Mary's gym following the 10:00 AM Mass.
- St. Mary's School — Principal Rebecca Maestas-Sanchez; diocesan educator since 2007
- Religious Education for K–8 and Confirmation
- Classes held Sundays 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM in St. Mary's School Gym after the 10:00 AM Mass
- Annual fee: $30 per child, $60 family maximum
- Online registration and payment available through the parish
- Catechists are needed and encouraged to volunteer
Bread and Blessings — Feeding the Homeless
Bread and Blessings is Immaculate Conception's signature outreach ministry: every Sunday afternoon the parish serves a hot sit-down lunch to over 100 guests-in-need — homeless men, women, and children, plus newly unemployed families deciding between groceries and utilities. Since its founding, the ministry has served roughly 30,000 meals and was featured nationally by Catholic Relief Services as a U.S. Operation Rice Bowl project.
- Sunday lunch served at 12:30 PM in the parish hall
- Clothing distribution 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
- Open to anyone and everyone who is hungry
- Supported by volunteers from ICC and other Catholic and non-Catholic churches
- Coordinator: Roberta Montoya
- Formerly cited by Fr. Rafael Garcia, S.J. as living out Matthew 25
Justice & Life Ministry
The Justice & Life Ministry mobilizes parishioners around Catholic Social Teaching through spiritual enrichment, community action, and social advocacy. Its work is rooted in the parish's historic Jesuit commitment to faith and justice and includes a Prison Reform Ministry as one of its programs.
- Focus areas: Catholic Social Teaching, advocacy, community action, spiritual enrichment
- Prison Reform Ministry (sub-program)
- Contact: Joy Dinaro (parish coordinator)
Faith and Justice Center Legacy
Under the umbrella of the Faith and Justice Center, Inc., Sister Amadea Heaney, S.C. — a Sister of Charity who had worked in China and returned to Albuquerque — founded both the Amadea Shelter for Unwed Mothers and the St. Mary's Rest Home for Seniors. Both institutions have since been reimagined and continue the parish's tradition of corporal works of mercy.
- Amadea Shelter for Unwed Mothers (founded by Sister Amadea Heaney, S.C.)
- St. Mary's Rest Home for Seniors
- Both operated under Faith and Justice Center, Inc.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Donato M. Gasparri, S.J.1880s
Naples Province Jesuit who chose the Copper Avenue site, directed construction by Italian stonemasons; founder of the parish.
- Fr. Alphonso Mandalari, S.J.1892–1924
Albuquerque civic legend; UNM Board of Regents; built orphanages, improved church and St. Mary's School; welcomed President Theodore Roosevelt at St. Mary's.
- Fr. Patrick J. Kelleher, S.J. ('Father Pat')1944–1965
Builder-pastor: acquired Copper Avenue rectory land, expanded Mount Calvary Cemetery, oversaw 1960 dedication of new church, convent, rectory, and school addition.
- Fr. Joseph Malloy, S.J.
Recent-era Jesuit pastor.
- Fr. Frank Renfroe, S.J.
Recent-era Jesuit pastor.
- Fr. Alvin Pilie, S.J.
Recent-era Jesuit pastor.
- Fr. Edgar Tiblier, S.J.
Recent-era Jesuit pastor.
- Fr. Sidney Lange, S.J.
Recent-era Jesuit pastor.
- Fr. Jack Heaney, S.J.
Recent-era Jesuit pastor.
- Fr. Edmundo Rodriguez, S.J.
Among the final three Jesuit pastors.
- Fr. Rafael Garcia, S.J.
Among the final three Jesuit pastors; quoted in CRS feature on Bread and Blessings.
- Fr. Warren Broussard, S.J.until June 27, 2021
The last Jesuit pastor of Immaculate Conception; presided over the 2021 transition to diocesan administration.
- Rev. Steve E. Rosera, J.C.L.from July 2021
Diocesan priest; first pastor under Archdiocese of Santa Fe administration after the Jesuits' departure.