About Most Holy Rosary · Antioch, California
Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church is a large, historically Dominican-served Catholic parish in Antioch, California, in the Diocese of Oakland. Founded on land donated by Captain George W. Kimball, it traces its roots to 1864, when the first small wooden-frame church was completed and formally blessed under the title of 'Our Lady of the Holy Rosary' by Archbishop Alemany. Now serving more than 3,000 families, the parish offers a robust schedule of English and Spanish Masses, daily Eucharistic Adoration, a K–8 Catholic school, an extensive faith formation program, and a wide range of ministries from RCIA to Life Teen, drawing worshippers from across East Contra Costa County.
- Established
- 1864 (first church built); 1874 (established as a parish)
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (blessed under this title by Archbishop Alemany in 1864)
- Rector
- Father Ramiro Flores
- Diocese
- Diocese of Oakland (Deanery 10; served by the Order of Preachers / Western Dominican Province)
Why belong here
Most Holy Rosary offers one of the most active sacramental and devotional lives in eastern Contra Costa County, with multiple daily Masses, daily Eucharistic Adoration, 24-hour adoration on First Fridays, and bilingual (English and Spanish) Sunday liturgy. A parish of more than 3,000 families, it pairs a long-standing Dominican Catholic intellectual tradition (founded 1864, parish 1874) with hands-on ministry — Life Teen youth ministry, RCIA, the ARISE Young Adult group, Couples for Christ, Vacation Bible School, and a thriving K–8 Holy Rosary Catholic School. Newcomers are welcomed into a community that intentionally forms 'faith-filled individuals and strong church-going families,' from cradle baptisms through quinceañeras, weddings, and funerals.
Mass times at Most Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Monday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- First Friday 9:00 AM – 24 hours (all-night adoration)
Parish History
Most Holy Rosary traces its roots to 1864, when the first small wooden-frame Catholic church was built in Antioch on land donated by Captain George W. Kimball. Archbishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany, O.P., formally blessed it under the title 'Our Lady of the Holy Rosary' on September 18, 1864. From the start, the parish was served by the Dominican friars of Benicia — a ministry tradition now more than 160 years old. The mission was elevated to a full parish in 1874 under Father Patrick Callaghan, O.P. The current sanctuary, the parish's third, was completed in 1966 just after the close of Vatican II, and the community has grown to serve more than 3,000 families across East Contra Costa County.
- 1864: First Mass celebrated by Father Vincent Vinyes, O.P., in the home of John Mulhare.
- April 4, 1864: Deed recorded for the first wooden-frame church (under 100 seats).
- 1874: Holy Rosary elevated from a mission of St. Catherine's, Martinez to parish status.
- 1886: Rectory built in front of the church with a $400 loan from the Benicia Priory.
- 1890: First Holy Rosary Festival held under Father Albert Lawler, O.P. — later renamed the Holy Rosary Harvest Faire.
- 1902: Father Callaghan retired due to illness; died in 1904.
- 1966: Present-day church completed one year after Vatican II.
- 1975: Father Francisco Vicente, O.P., begins pastorate.
- March 1979: Parish RCIA program established.
- June 1993: Life Teen youth ministry launched.
- 2015: Parish celebrates Father Vicente's 60th anniversary of priesthood.
- 2017: Father Francisco Vicente dies at age 88.
Dominican Heritage
Most Holy Rosary has been served continuously by the Order of Preachers — the Dominicans — since its founding in 1864. Archbishop Alemany himself entrusted the Dominicans with the spiritual care of Catholics across all of present-day Contra Costa and Solano Counties, and Holy Rosary remains a flagship Dominican parish in the Diocese of Oakland. This heritage means Mass is celebrated with the 'say the black, do the red' reverence typical of the Western Dominican Province: solidly Roman-Rite, with clear lectors, understated liturgy, and a focus on the homily.
- Pastored by Dominican friars (O.P.) for 160+ years.
- Currently a multi-cultural parish staff including Father Ramiro Flores as pastor.
- Hosts a residency program for Dominican Brothers studying for the priesthood — about 20 brothers over the years.
Sacraments
The parish prepares the faithful for all seven Catholic sacraments. Infant baptism (children 0–6) requires registration, a birth certificate, a $75 stipend, a baptismal class for parents and godparents, and a parish interview — no baptisms are celebrated during Lent. Older children (7–13) and youth (14–17) are served through Jennifer Perez and the Youth Ministry office, respectively. The school and parish Religious Education coordinate First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation, and the parish welcomes inquiries about weddings, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick.
- Infant Baptism (0–6 years) — application, birth certificate, $75 stipend, baptismal class, interview
- Baptism for ages 7–13: Jennifer Perez, ext. 108
- Baptism for ages 14–17: Youth Ministry, ext. 104
- Adult Baptism (18+): call parish office
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (school/Religious Ed)
- Confirmation preparation
- Wedding coordinators available; contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick and funeral rites by request
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is offered through the parish school, the parish Religious Education program (in need of English-speaking catechists), the RCIA process for adults, and weekly sacramental preparation classes for students. Holy Rosary Catholic School, located a short distance from the church at 25 East 15th Street, partners with the parish for sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion, and integrates daily prayer into the school day.
- Holy Rosary Catholic School (K–8), 25 East 15th Street, phone (925) 757-1270
- Religious Education classes — English catechists needed
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), established 1979
- Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and First Eucharist
- Sponsor/Godparent certification for Baptism and Confirmation
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Most Holy Rosary has been a pioneer in Catholic youth ministry in the East Bay. The parish launched Life Teen in 1993 and continues to host a youth-oriented Sunday evening Mass at 5:30 PM. The broader youth ministry runs summer programs for ages 14–18 and Vacation Bible School for preschoolers through 6th grade. ARISE, the young-adult group for ages 18–39, hosts topical nights integrating faith and mental wellness.
- Life Teen — Sunday 5:30 PM Mass (active since 1993)
- Youth Ministry — summer programs for ages 14–18; office ext. 104
- ARISE Young Adult Group (ages 18–39) — Mental Health Night, mid-summer
- Couples for Christ (CFC) Christian Life Program — Sunday 1:00–3:30 PM at parish center
- Vacation Bible School — Preschool through 6th Grade
Liturgical Ministries (Serve at Mass)
Volunteers are central to the parish's liturgical life. The parish regularly recruits Lectors (especially for the 7:15 AM, 8:45 AM, and 5:30 PM Sunday Masses), Ushers, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Sacristans, Baptism ministers, and Wedding coordinators. Music ministry is also recruiting piano and guitar players, with particular need for the 8:45 AM Sunday Mass.
- Lectors — Sunday 7:15 AM, 8:45 AM, 5:30 PM in particular need
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — Sunday 5:30 PM in particular need
- Ushers and Altar Servers — contact Carla Gomez or Matt Fleming
- Sacristans, Baptism ministers, Wedding coordinators
- Music Ministry — piano and guitar needed, especially 8:45 AM Sunday
Parish Life & Community
Beyond liturgy and formation, Most Holy Rosary fosters community through harvest festivals, young-adult groups, marriage-enrichment programs (Couples for Christ), Vacation Bible School, and daily Adoration chapel fellowship. Parish office hours and bilingual staff (English/Spanish) make it accessible to one of the most diverse Catholic populations in East County. The parish motto — 'To know Christ better and to make Him better known' — frames its evangelical welcome to all who seek a deeper relationship with Jesus in the one, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
- Parish motto: 'To know Christ better and to make Him better known.'
- Holy Rosary Harvest Faire (descended from the 1890 festival)
- Bilingual parish office, English/Spanish communications throughout the site
- Parish bulletin available on the official website
- Accessible contact: (925) 757-4020, [email protected]
Contact, Location & How to Get There
Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church sits at 1313 A Street, Antioch, California 94509, in the heart of the city. Parish office hours appear to run mornings 8:30 AM – noon and afternoons 1:30 PM – late afternoon. Visitor reviews consistently note ample parking, a peaceful chapel for adoration, and the visual presence of sacred statues such as Our Lady of Fatima that contribute to the prayerful atmosphere. The parish is under the pastoral care of Fr. Ramiro Flores and falls within the Diocese of Oakland.
- Parish address: 1313 A Street, Antioch, CA 94509
- Parish phone: (925) 757-4020
- Parish email: [email protected]
- School address: 25 East 15th Street, Antioch, CA 94509
- School phone: (925) 757-1270
- Diocese: Diocese of Oakland
- Deanery 10, Northeast Region
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Patrick Callaghan, O.P.1874–1888; 1893–1902
First resident pastor of Holy Rosary, a native of Ireland, ordained in Benicia in late 1863. Retired due to severe illness in November 1902; died in 1904.
- Father Edmund Harrington, O.P.1888 (approx. 3 months)
Succeeded Callaghan's first term briefly in 1888.
- Father Benedict McGovern, O.P.1888–1889 (approx. 5 months)
Succeeded Harrington briefly.
- Father Albert Lawler, O.P.1889–1893 (3.5 years)
During his pastorate the first Holy Rosary Festival was held on October 25, 1890, later renamed the Holy Rosary Harvest Faire.
- Father Francisco Vicente, O.P.1975–early 2000s (returned 1993)
Launched the Dominican Brothers residency program (~20 brothers over the years); established RCIA in March 1979; reintroduced Life Teen in 1993; beloved pastor whose 60th priesthood jubilee was celebrated in 2015. Died in 2017 at age 88.
- Father Jordan Bradshaw2002–July 2009
Took over as pastor in January 2002; departed in July 2009.
- Father Roberto Corral, O.P.Returned 2009 (and again later)
Dominican; returned as pastor of the 3,000+-family parish after Fr. Jordan's 2009 departure.
- Father Ramiro FloresPresent (current pastor)
Currently leads the parish as listed on the official website.