About Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish · Cottonwood, Arizona
Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish is a thriving Roman Catholic parish in Cottonwood, Arizona, in the Verde Valley, belonging to the Diocese of Phoenix. The parish was founded as a mission in 1930 and raised to its own parish in 1966, and today serves more than 1,000 families with weekend Masses in English and Spanish, daily Mass, perpetual adoration, OCIA, a K-8 school (Immaculate Conception Catholic School), and outreach to homebound parishioners. The current church building is a Spanish Mission-style church on North Bill Gray Road, dedicated on December 8, 2009, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
- Established
- 1930
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. David Kelash
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is the spiritual heart of Catholic life in the Verde Valley, offering daily Mass, perpetual adoration in its chapel from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, and a robust OCIA program for those exploring the Catholic faith. Families benefit from the parish's on-campus K-8 school (Immaculate Conception Catholic School), a full religious education program for grades K-12, and ministries for the homebound, Baptism preparation, Children's Church, and a music ministry. The parish combines a tight-knit small-town Catholic community with the energy of a growing, multilingual faith family in the Diocese of Phoenix.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday at 9:00 AM
- Friday at 8:00 AM
- Saturday at 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Daily in the Chapel, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday — additional adoration after the 5:30 PM Mass
- Friday — additional adoration before the 9:00 AM Mass (use Chapel Entrance)
Welcome & Parish Identity
Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish describes itself as a Catholic community in the growing Verde Valley of Arizona, 'built for community' and welcoming to visitors, those seeking a parish home, those returning to the faith, and those curious about the Catholic Church. The parish is bilingual (English and Spanish), serves more than 1,000 families, and operates a parish school on the same campus in Cottonwood.
- Bilingual parish community (English and Spanish)
- Located in the Verde Valley, Cottonwood, Arizona
- More than 1,000 registered families
- Campus includes church, chapel, offices, and Immaculate Conception Catholic School
Parish History
Catholic life in the Verde Valley began with Holy Family Parish in Jerome in 1887, followed by St. Cecilia Mission in 1924 and Immaculate Conception in Cottonwood in 1930. The original Immaculate Conception church was built by Fr. Charles Bartusch, CMF, at 421 North Willard with support from a Catholic Extension Society grant. After decades of growth, the parish built a new Spanish Mission-style church on Bill Gray Road, dedicated December 8, 2009.
- 1887 — Holy Family Parish founded in Jerome (first Catholic parish in the Verde Valley)
- 1924 — St. Cecilia Mission founded for Clarkdale and Cottonwood
- 1925 — Catholic Extension Society $1,000 grant for new church
- 1930 — Immaculate Conception Mission founded in Cottonwood; Fr. Charles Bartusch, CMF, builds the church at 421 N. Willard
- 1943 — Fr. John Atucha, CMF, adds the sacristy
- 1953 — Fr. Driscoll starts the first CYO and builds the recreation hall
- 1955 — Rectory built in Cottonwood
- 1965 — First Parish Council elected; sanctuary updated with new altar, ambo, acolyte benches
- 1966 — Immaculate Conception becomes its own parish; Fr. John J. Hannon first pastor
- 1971 — St. Cecilia designated as its mission (September 23)
- 2002 — Temporary church in portable buildings opens
- 2006 — St. Joseph Montessori School opens (August 21, 60 students)
- December 2007 — Groundbreaking for the new church
- Summer 2008 — Construction of new church begins
- December 8, 2009 — New church dedicated on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- October 2015 — School relocates to the parish campus and is renamed Immaculate Conception Catholic School
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Immaculate Conception is organized into OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Religious Education for children, and Adult Bible Study / Spiritual Growth opportunities. The Religious Education program offers Sacramental Prep for Kindergarten and 1st Grade, Primary 1 (Grades 2–5, unbaptized/baptized only), Primary 2 (Grades 2–5, baptized with First Communion, preparing for Confirmation), Secondary Year 1 (Grades 6–8), and Secondary Year 2 (Grades 6–8). High-school-aged inquirers join the OCIA class.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — Tuesdays 6:00–8:00 PM (Sept–May)
- Baptism Preparation (English and Spanish)
- Children's Church
- Religious Education for K–8, including Sacramental Prep and Confirmation preparation
- Adult Bible Study & Spiritual Growth
- Youth Ministry — currently inactive; coordinator position open
Immaculate Conception Catholic School (ICCS)
The parish school began in the 2005–2006 academic year as St. Joseph Catholic School, a one-room rural school started by a group of parents and community members with 14 students and a volunteer teacher. It was blessed by Bishop Olmstead the following year as an elementary school in the Diocese of Phoenix and expanded to preschool through eighth grade by 2009–2010. In October 2015 the school moved into a new building on the parish campus at 750 N. Bill Gray Road and was renamed Immaculate Conception Catholic School (ICCS). It now serves roughly 150–198 students in preschool through 8th grade.
- Founded 2005 as St. Joseph Catholic School
- Renamed Immaculate Conception Catholic School in 2015 when relocated to the parish campus
- Serves preschool through 8th grade (~150–198 students)
- Principal: Antonio Hernandez
- 750 N. Bill Gray Road, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 — (928) 649-0624
- Website: https://www.iccs-k8.org (school) / https://icschoolaz.org
- Mission: Christ-centered environment with the highest quality academic education; preparing morally responsible leaders
Clergy & Staff
Immaculate Conception is led by Pastor Fr. David Kelash and Parochial Vicar Fr. Jacob Chavez (with Fr. Chris Gossen listed as Parochial Vicar in the 2025–2026 school handbook). The parish is supported by two deacons — Dcn. James Hoy and retired Dcn. Dave Kaminsky — along with a Parish Administrator (Erin Stoffel), Liturgical Coordinator (Priscilla Haynie), Administrative Assistant (Dora Pedrego), Parish Liaison (Kris Ange), Music Director (Terrie Backes), and Gift Shop manager (Alma Nackard).
- Pastor: Fr. David Kelash
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Jacob Chavez
- Parochial Vicar (per 2025–26 school handbook): Fr. Chris Gossen
- Deacons: James Hoy; Dave Kaminsky (Retired)
- Parish Administrator: Erin Stoffel
- Liturgical Coordinator: Priscilla Haynie
- Music Director: Terrie Backes
- School Principal: Antonio Hernandez
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Parish ministries include OCIA, Baptism Preparation (English and Spanish), Children's Church, Religious Education, Music Ministry, Safe Environment (Called to Protect), Communion to the Homebound, Morning Grief Ministry, Adult Bible Study, and the Parish Council (first elected in 1965). The Communion to the Homebound ministry coordinates Eucharistic visits to parishioners at home, in nursing homes, and in assisted living facilities.
- OCIA — Coordinator: Scott Peters
- Baptism Preparation — Deacon Dave Kaminsky (English); Dora Pedrego (Spanish)
- Children's Church — Coordinator: Priscilla Haynie
- Music Ministry — Director: Terrie Backes
- Safe Environment / Called to Protect — Coordinator: Erin Stoffel
- Communion to the Homebound (call 928-634-2933 ext. 15)
- Morning Grief Ministry
- Adult Bible Study & Spiritual Growth
- Parish Council
Mission Churches & Verde Valley Catholic Presence
Immaculate Conception is part of a network of Catholic communities serving the Verde Valley. St. Cecilia's in Clarkdale is its mission church (designated September 23, 1971), and Holy Family in Jerome — the first Catholic parish in the Verde Valley, founded 1887 — remains a sister community. Saturday daily Masses rotate among Immaculate Conception, St. Cecilia's, and Holy Family, reflecting the interconnected Catholic life of the valley.
- St. Cecilia's, Clarkdale — mission church of Immaculate Conception since 1971
- Holy Family, Jerome — founded 1887, first Catholic parish in the Verde Valley
- Rotating Saturday daily Masses across the three communities
Visiting, Location & Contact
The parish campus is located at 700 North Bill Gray Road, Cottonwood, AZ 86326, and the school at 750 N. Bill Gray Road. Parish office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Friday and Sunday 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, closed Saturday. The parish phone is (928) 634-2933 and the general email is [email protected]. A gift shop is staffed during office hours, and visitors are warmly welcomed at any Mass.
- Address: 700 North Bill Gray Road, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
- Phone: (928) 634-2933
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9–4; Fri & Sun 10–12:30; Closed Saturday
- School Address: 750 N. Bill Gray Road, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 — (928) 649-0624
- Use Chapel Entrance for adoration before the 9:00 AM Friday Mass
Tilma — Bishop Dolan's Pastoral Plan
In October 2024, Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix announced the Tilma Pastoral Plan, a seven-year plan of evangelization inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Diocese. The plan begins January 2025 and runs through December 2031, the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe's appearance to St. Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill. Immaculate Conception actively promotes Tilma through its parish communications.
- Tilma: Bishop John Dolan's 7-year Pastoral Plan (2025–2031)
- Inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Diocese of Phoenix
- More information: https://tilma.dphx.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles Bartusch, CMF1930s (mission era)
Claretian missionary who built the original Immaculate Conception church at 421 N. Willard in Cottonwood.
- Fr. John Atucha, CMF1943
Spanish-born Claretian; personally added the sacristy to the church.
- Fr. Driscoll1950s
Established the first Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and built the parish recreation hall in 1953.
- Fr. John J. Hannonfrom 1966
First pastor when Immaculate Conception was separated from Clarkdale and established as its own parish in 1966.
- Fr. David Kelash2007–present (as of 2025)
Broke ground for the new church in December 2007; oversaw construction and dedication of the current church on Dec. 8, 2009. Still serving as pastor in 2025.