About Mary Star of the Sea · La Jolla, California
Mary, Star of the Sea is a historic Roman Catholic parish in the coastal community of La Jolla, California, founded in 1906 by Father Joseph C. Mesny and dedicated in 1909. Belonging to the Diocese of San Diego, the parish is renowned for its striking 1937 Spanish Mission-style church designed by celebrated architect Carleton Monroe Winslow and adorned with works by artists Alfredo Ramos Martinez and John Henry de Rosen. With a daily Mass schedule, a perpetual Adoration chapel, bilingual (English and Spanish) weekend liturgy, a parish school (Stella Maris Academy), and robust faith formation for all ages, Mary, Star of the Sea serves as the spiritual home of a multigenerational Catholic community in one of San Diego's most iconic neighborhoods.
- Established
- 1906
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Mary, Star of the Sea
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick J. Mulcahy
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
Mary, Star of the Sea offers a remarkable combination of reverent liturgy and active parish life: daily Mass, a Saturday Vigil and four Sunday Masses in English plus a Spanish Vigil, a 24/7 Adoration chapel, weekly confession, and weekend Masses that are livestreamed for the homebound. The parish runs a deep faith formation program for children, youth, and adults — including OCIA (RCIA), sacramental preparation, and Bible studies — alongside the parish school and ministries that connect parishioners to one another. Worshipping in a landmark 1937 mission-style church adorned with works by artists of international repute, parishioners become part of a 120-year-old La Jolla Catholic tradition committed to its mission of 'Living the Good News… in the Spirit of the Kingdom.'
Mass times at Mary Star of the Sea
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (inside the Church)
- By appointment (call the Parish Office at 858-551-8359)
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — Open 24/7 (closed 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Fridays for cleaning). Code available from the Parish Office in person.
Parish Mission & Welcome
Mary, Star of the Sea's parish mission is 'Living the Good News by committing to being Christ to others, through worship, Sacraments and service in the Spirit of the Kingdom.' The parish warmly welcomes new registrants, who may download or pick up a form from the Parish Office, register online, or mail a completed form to 7669 Girard Ave., La Jolla, CA 92037. Registering helps the parish know and serve you on your faith journey, and all information is kept private per the parish privacy policy.
A Brief Parish History
The community took shape in 1906 when La Jolla Catholics gathered weekly at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Mannix on Coast Boulevard. Founding pastor Father Joseph C. Mesny built the first church, dedicated January 10, 1909 at the intersection of Kline Street and Girard Avenue. The present mission-style church was designed by Carleton Monroe Winslow and dedicated in December 1937 under Father Thomas J. McNamara, with the approval of Bishop Charles Frances Buddy of the newly formed Diocese of San Diego. From a humble seaside congregation, Mary, Star of the Sea grew into one of the most distinctive Catholic parishes on the San Diego coast.
- 1906 — community forms at the Mannix home on Coast Boulevard
- 1909 — first church dedicated under Father Mesny
- 1937 — present church dedicated; architect Carleton Monroe Winslow
- 1939–1969 — Monsignor Joseph V. Clarkin's pastorate builds the rectory, school, and Parish Hall
Stella Maris Academy (Parish School)
Founded Thanksgiving Day 1947 under the visionary pastorate of Monsignor Joseph V. Clarkin, Stella Maris Academy was originally staffed by the teaching Sisters of the Holy Cross, who lived in an adjoining convent. The original building had four classrooms, a music room, and a principal's office and accommodated over 200 students; it was expanded in 1955. The school remains central to parish life — Father Mulcahy specifically requested assignment to a parish with a school for the long-term ministry impact on young people.
- Founded 1947
- Originally staffed by Sisters of the Holy Cross
- Expanded in 1955
Architecture, Art, and the Mission Bell
The church was designed by Carleton Monroe Winslow in the spirit of the early California missions and dedicated in December 1937. Among its artistic treasures: a 1937 fresco by Alfredo Ramos Martinez over the entrance (replaced in 1962 by a mosaic replica fabricated in Rome), a 1956 sanctuary mural by John Henry de Rosen (also painter of the Pope's private chapel at Castel Gandolfo, restored with new gold leaf by Andrew Lojszczyk in 1992), a 1937 statue of Mary with the Infant Jesus by French sculptor Roger de Villers, and two smaller paintings by de Rosen including one donated in memory of his parents. The Aula (Parish Hall), built in 1952, houses the brass mission bell inscribed 'Jesus 1690 Maria,' believed to have been brought from Spain by the Franciscan padres and to La Jolla by Father Mesny.
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Directed by Martin Magaña, Director of Catechetical Ministry, the parish faith formation program walks with parishioners from birth through adulthood. Programs include Elementary Faith Formation for children in kindergarten through 6th grade, Jr. High and High School Youth Ministry (The Gathering), Adult Faith Formation, Bible Study, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA / RCIA), Adult Confirmation sessions, and Sacramental Preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation.
- Elementary Faith Formation (K–6)
- Jr. High & High School Youth Ministry (The Gathering)
- Adult Faith Formation and Bible Study
- OCIA (RCIA) — Sunday mornings 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Adult Confirmation preparation
- Director of Catechetical Ministry: Martin Magaña
Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA / RCIA)
OCIA is a weekly process of study, prayer, and discernment for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation — and also serves those baptized in another tradition or baptized Catholic but uncatechized. Teens 17 and older may join the adult sessions on Sunday mornings from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Sunday mornings 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Open to teens 17+ who wish to join the adult group
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for all the Sacraments of Initiation and others. English baptisms for infants and children under the age of reason are celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 1:15 PM; families must be registered active parishioners, and private baptisms are not performed. Children age 8 and older prepare through RCIC. Adults enter through OCIA. The parish also offers preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation (youth and adult), and Marriage, and a priest is available 24/7 for Anointing of the Sick by calling Extension 159 of the parish office line.
- Baptism (English, 2nd Sunday at 1:15 PM) for registered parishioners
- RCIC for children age 8+
- OCIA for adults and older teens
- First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — emergency priest via Extension 159 (858-454-2631)
Parish Staff & Clergy
Mary, Star of the Sea is served by a pastor and a small faith-formation staff, with the parish priest also reachable at any time for emergencies via the parish office line. Father Patrick J. Mulcahy, ordained in 1995 for the Diocese of San Diego, became pastor in July 2019 after pastorates at St. Mary, Star of the Sea in Oceanside, Corpus Christi in Bonita, and St. Joseph Cathedral in San Diego. Martin Magaña serves as Director of Catechetical Ministry.
- Rev. Patrick J. Mulcahy — Pastor (2019–present)
- Martin Magaña — Director of Catechetical Ministry
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is at 7669 Girard Ave., La Jolla, CA 92037 (at the corner of Girard and Kline). General parish line: 858-454-2631. Faith Formation line: 858-551-8359. Email: [email protected]. To reach a priest in an emergency, dial 858-454-2631 and press Extension 159 to leave a message — a priest will respond promptly.
- Address: 7669 Girard Ave., La Jolla, CA 92037
- Phone: 858-454-2631
- Faith Formation: 858-551-8359
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph C. Mesny1906–1927
Founding pastor; built the first church dedicated January 10, 1909; brought the mission bell to La Jolla.
- Rev. Owen Hannon1927–1930
- Rev. Francis X. Becker1930–1934
- Rev. John Ford1934–1935
- Rev. Thomas J. McNamara1935–1939
Led construction of the present 1937 mission-style church, designed by architect Carleton Monroe Winslow.
- Rev. Msgr. Joseph V. Clarkin1939–1969
Visionary pastor who built the rectory (1942), founded Stella Maris Academy and the Holy Cross sisters' convent (1947), broke ground on The Aula/parish hall (1952); commissioned the de Rosen murals and signed the 1962 mosaic replica of the Ramos Martinez fresco.
- Rev. Msgr. James M. Gilfillan1969–1993
- Rev. Msgr. Eamonn Lyng1993–2008
- Rev. James Rafferty2008–2019
- Rev. Patrick J. Mulcahy2019–Present
Current pastor; previously served St. Joseph Cathedral (San Diego), Corpus Christi (Bonita), and St. Mary Star of the Sea (Oceanside).