About Infant of Prague Mission · Bridgeport, California
The Infant of Prague Mission is a small Roman Catholic mission church located on the east side of US Highway 395, about one mile south of Bridgeport, California, in the high Eastern Sierra of Mono County. It is one of three mission chapels operated by St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mammoth Lakes — the parish seat that covers all of Mono County. The mission offers Sunday Mass at 12:30 PM and serves local residents and visitors traveling through the Bridgeport Valley. The site falls under the Diocese of Stockton and is pastored by Father Jorge Román, with administration based at St. Joseph Church in Mammoth Lakes.
- Established
- 1939
- Patron
- Infant of Prague (Divine Infant Jesus of Prague)
- Rector
- Father Jorge Román
- Diocese
- Diocese of Stockton
Why belong here
Infant of Prague Mission brings Sunday Mass to the residents and travelers of the Bridgeport Valley, an otherwise remote stretch of the Eastern Sierra between Yosemite's eastern entry and the Nevada line. Under Father Jorge Román and the wider St. Joseph Parish, the mission is part of a small, welcoming Catholic community that welcomes second-home owners, outdoor visitors, and full-time locals alike. Coming to Mass here connects you to a parish family that spans 3,030 square miles of Mono County — a rare opportunity to worship in one of the Sierra's most beautiful settings.
Mass times at Infant of Prague Mission
Weekly Mass schedule
About Infant of Prague Mission
The Infant of Prague Mission is the Bridgeport chapel of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mammoth Lakes, the Roman Catholic parish that serves all of Mono County in California's Eastern Sierra. The mission sits along US Highway 395 about a mile south of the town of Bridgeport, near the Big Meadow Lodge. It is pastored by Father Jorge Román together with the wider St. Joseph Parish community. Mass is celebrated on most Sundays at 12:30 PM, with a Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion taking the place of Mass on the second Sunday of each month. The mission shares a phone line and email with the parish rectory in Mammoth Lakes.
- Sunday Mass at 12:30 PM
- 2nd Sunday: Liturgy of the Word & Holy Communion
- Phone: (760) 934-6276
- Email: [email protected]
Parish History — Catholic Life in Mono County since 1939
Catholic life in Bridgeport is woven into the founding story of St. Joseph Parish. The earliest Baptismal Register entry is dated 1939, and at that time every baptism in the parish was recorded in either Bridgeport or Lee Vining. Father Edward D. Maginnis, S.J., is credited as the parish founder (1939–1949); Father James D. Kelly, S.J., who succeeded him, is credited with essentially forming the parish. Both Jesuits loved the Eastern Sierra outdoors and traveled to Mono County to celebrate Mass for visitors on weekends. A vintage parish postcard describes St. Joseph as 'A Jesuit Parish (all of Mono County), Founded 1939 with three mission churches in Lee Vining, Bridgeport and Walker-Coleville' — placing Infant of Prague among the three original mission chapels of the parish.
- 1939 — Parish founded by Fr. Edward D. Maginnis, S.J.
- 1949–1962 — Fr. James D. Kelly, S.J. forms the parish
- 1962 — Diocese of Stockton created; Mono County transferred from Sacramento diocese
- 1962–1983 — Fr. Thomas V. Savage, S.J.
- 1983–2010 — Fr. Andrew C. Dachauer, S.J.; moves parish seat to Mammoth Lakes (1984)
- 1987–2011 — Br. Daniel C. Corona, S.J., Special Assistant to the Pastor
- 2010–2013 — Fr. Paul Boudreau
- 2013–present — Fr. Jorge Román
Pastor & Staff
The mission is pastored by Father Jorge Román, who has led the parish since July 2013. The mission is staffed through St. Joseph Church in Mammoth Lakes, which operates with a part-time staff person handling calls for all four worship sites — Mammoth Lakes, Lee Vining, Bridgeport, and Coleville. A Liturgy Roster and Music Roster published on the parish website list local ministers of the liturgy, lectors, and musicians serving at each of the chapels including Bridgeport.
- Father Jorge Román — Pastor (since July 2013)
- Parish Office: (760) 934-6276
- [email protected]
The Wider Parish — St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mammoth Lakes
Infant of Prague Mission is one of three mission chapels operated by St. Joseph Catholic Church, which serves all of Mono County. The parish seat is St. Joseph Church in Mammoth Lakes, with Our Savior of the Mountains Mission in Lee Vining, Infant of Prague Mission in Bridgeport, and Our Lady of the Valley Chapel in Coleville rounding out the four worship sites. The parish covers 3,030 square miles — 94% of which is publicly owned land — and serves a mix of full-time parishioners, second-home owners, and visitors drawn by the Eastern Sierra's outdoor recreation.
- St. Joseph Church (Mammoth Lakes) — parish seat
- Our Savior of the Mountains Mission (Lee Vining)
- Infant of Prague Mission (Bridgeport)
- Our Lady of the Valley Chapel (Coleville)
- Pastoral area: 3,030 sq mi (94% public land)
Visiting the Mission
Whether you are a full-time Bridgeport resident, a second homeowner, or a traveler passing through the Eastern Sierra, the Infant of Prague Mission welcomes you to celebrate Mass in one of the most scenic valleys of Mono County. The parish family encourages visitors to come as they are — to fish, hike, camp, bike, ski, snowboard, or kayak — and to join the community in celebrating the Eucharist.
- All are welcome
- Small, intimate mission setting
- Sunday 12:30 PM Mass
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Edward D. Maginnis, S.J.1939–1949
Parish founder; first priest in the Baptismal Register (1939).
- Father James D. Kelly, S.J.1949–1962
Essentially formed the parish. Retired 1962 when the Diocese of Stockton was formed.
- Father Thomas V. Savage, S.J.1962–1983
First pastor under the new Diocese of Stockton (1962).
- Father Andrew C. Dachauer, S.J.1983–2010
Moved the parish seat from Lee Vining to Mammoth Lakes in 1984; retired August 2010.
- Brother Daniel C. Corona, S.J.1987–2010/2011
Special Assistant to the Pastor, assigned by the Provincial in 1987; retired January 2011.
- Father Paul Boudreau2010–2013
Succeeded Father Dachauer; retired July 2013.
- Father Jorge Román2013–present
Current pastor since July 2013.