About Our Lady of Guadalupe · Palm Springs, California
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Palm Springs, California, in the Diocese of San Bernardino, staffed by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (M.S.C.). The parish has roots in a 1911 land donation from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and grew around a Franciscan-built mission church on the reservation. Today the parish serves a diverse community that includes the local Native American congregation, English-speaking retirees, and the winter 'Snowbird' visitors who flock to the desert. Its mission is to give thanks and praise to God, spread the Gospel, and teach the Bible's message of God's love for all creation.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Rector
- Rev. Luis Segura, M.S.C.
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Bernardino
Why belong here
Our Lady of Guadalupe offers a historic, welcoming home for Catholics in the heart of Palm Springs, with three Sunday Masses in winter and a year-round weekday Mass on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The parish is the spiritual home of the local Cahuilla/Agua Caliente Catholic community and warmly welcomes English-speaking retirees and the seasonal 'Snowbird' visitors who winter in the desert. Active groups such as the Altar and Rosary Society and a range of liturgical ministries give parishioners concrete ways to serve, and the parish is also the starting point for the annual 32-mile December 12 pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Mass times at Our Lady of Guadalupe
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment — call the parish office at 760-325-5809
- Also available at neighboring parish Our Lady of Solitude: Saturday 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
- Also available at neighboring parish St. Theresa: Saturday 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
About Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Roman Catholic parish in Palm Springs, California, in the Diocese of San Bernardino. Its mission statement reads: 'We, the people of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, are a diverse community devoted to Jesus the Christ. Our mission together is to give thanks and praise to God, spread the Gospel and teach the Bible message of God's love for all creation.' The parish is staffed by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (M.S.C.).
- Diocese: Diocese of San Bernardino
- Religious order staffing the parish: Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (M.S.C.)
- Patron: Our Lady of Guadalupe (feast December 12)
History of the Parish
The parish traces its origin to a 1911 land gift from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. A first mission church was built by Franciscans in 1917 on the reservation, a new church was erected in 1930, and the 1935 earthquake critically damaged the building. After nearly thirty years in a remodeled World War II barracks, the present church was planned under Fr. Thomas J. Flahive (pastor from April 1957), broke ground in March 1963, and held its first Mass in November 1964. Bishop Gerald R. Barnes marked the 100th anniversary with a Mass and social gathering on December 11, 2011.
- 1911 — Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians donate the land and request Mass be celebrated there
- 1917 — First mission church built by Franciscans on the Agua Caliente Reservation
- 1930 — A new church is erected on the site
- 1935 — Earthquake critically damages the church; community worships in a remodeled WWII barracks for nearly 30 years
- April 1957 — Fr. Thomas J. Flahive becomes pastor
- March 1963 — Groundbreaking for the present church
- November 1964 — First Mass celebrated in the present church
- Originally named St. Florian Chapel after Fr. Florian Hahn of St. Boniface Indian School in Banning
- December 11, 2011 — Bishop Gerald R. Barnes celebrates the 100th anniversary
Clergy & Staff
Our Lady of Guadalupe is pastored by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. The current pastor is Rev. Luis Segura, M.S.C., assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Jos Rajesh Peter, M.S.C. and Deacon John Skora. The lay staff includes a parish coordinator, secretary, and bookkeeper.
- Pastor: Rev. Luis Segura, M.S.C.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jos Rajesh Peter, M.S.C.
- Deacon: Dcn. John Skora (also maintains the parish website and online giving)
- Parish Coordinator: David Clinton-Reid
- Parish Secretary: Karla Reilly
- Bookkeeper: Alejandra Garcia
Parish Life & Ministries
The parish describes itself as a 'diverse community' that includes the local Native American Catholic community, English-speaking year-round residents, retirees, and the seasonal 'Snowbird' population that winters in the desert. A clear path for getting involved is the parish's call for liturgical ministry volunteers, and the Altar and Rosary Society is an active lay organization that hosts social and devotional events such as an annual St. Patrick's Day dinner.
- Altar and Rosary Society — lay devotional and social organization
- Liturgical Ministry volunteer opportunities (listed on parish website)
- Parishioner Registration — for those wishing to formally register as members
Annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrimage
Each year on December 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the parish is the starting point for a thirty-two-mile pilgrimage on foot to the Coachella Valley shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe — described by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart as perhaps the longest such pilgrimage in the United States. Thousands of pilgrims participate in a journey that begins with 4:00 a.m. Mass here, followed by Mañanitas (a traditional early-morning devotion to the Virgin).
- Begins with 4:00 a.m. Mass at the parish
- Followed by Mañanitas (traditional song-and-prayer devotion)
- 32-mile route on foot to the Coachella Valley shrine
- Thousands of pilgrims participate annually
Practical Information
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The church is located at 204 S. Calle El Segundo in Palm Springs, on the Agua Caliente Reservation. Online giving is available, with instructions posted on the parish website. The website also publishes a Spanish-language section ('Donaciones en Línea') and annual video messages in both English and Spanish.
- Address: 204 S. Calle El Segundo, Palm Springs, CA 92262
- Phone: 760-325-5809
- Fax: 760-327-2049
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Online Giving available via the parish website
- Parish website available in English and Spanish sections
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Florian Hahn
Director of St. Boniface Indian School in Banning; original chapel named St. Florian Chapel in his honor before the name was changed to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- Fr. Thomas J. Flahive1957–
Became pastor in April 1957; led the planning and building of the present church, which broke ground in March 1963 and was opened in November 1964.