About Our Lady of Guadalupe · Santa Paula, California
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church is a Roman Catholic parish at 427 North Oak Street in Santa Paula, Ventura County, California, belonging to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Deanery D3 of the Santa Barbara Pastoral Region). It is a predominantly Spanish-speaking, Mexican-heritage community parish served since July 1, 2000 by the Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception (C.R.I.C.). The parish was originally built in 1927–1929 as a mission chapel for Spanish-speaking Catholics, was raised to parish status on October 31, 1942, and was substantially remodeled and rededicated by Cardinal Roger Mahony on September 12, 1999. It is famous for its original stone church — built mainly with stones gathered from the Santa Paula Creek — and for its strong Marian devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- Established
- 1927 (chapel; parish status October 31, 1942)
- Patron
- Our Lady of Guadalupe (La Virgen de Guadalupe)
- Rector
- Fr. Thomas J. Dome, C.R.I.C. (Parish Administrator / Párroco Administrador)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Santa Barbara Pastoral Region, Deanery 3)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a deeply bilingual (predominantly Spanish, with one English Sunday Mass) parish that carries a 95-year-old Mexican-American Marian devotional tradition. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles but is locally served by the Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception, who provide daily Mass, an extensive Sunday schedule (six Sunday Masses), Saturday Vigil, regular Thursday Holy Hour and a 12-hour overnight Eucharistic Adoration from Saturday evening into Sunday morning, plus a daily noon Rosary. Beyond liturgy, the parish operates St. Sebastian School jointly with its sister parishes (St. Francis of Assisi, Fillmore, and St. Sebastian, Santa Paula) and is known for its annual reception of the Santo Niño de Atocha image from Zacatecas — a deeply felt family and community devotion in the Heritage Valley.
Mass times at Our Lady of Guadalupe
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Saturday 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Adoration times
- Thursday Holy Hour 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Spanish)
- Eucharistic Adoration Saturday 7:30 pm continuously through Sunday until 7:45 am
- Silent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after the Saturday 6:00 pm Vigil Mass
Parish Identity and Heritage
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Mexican-heritage, predominantly Spanish-speaking Catholic parish in Santa Paula, California, founded in 1927 as a mission chapel for Spanish-speaking Catholics and raised to parish status on October 31, 1942. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and has been served since July 1, 2000 by the Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception. Its founding story — Father Buenaventura Nava's mission preaching, the Guadalupanas' Jamaica bazaar, the decisive donation of Mr. Joseph Nicholas Thille, and the laying of the cornerstone on July 7, 1927 — is central to the parish's identity and is preserved in the parish's silver jubilee book (1942–1967).
- Patroness: Our Lady of Guadalupe (feast December 12)
- Founded 1927; parish since 1942
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Deanery 3, Santa Barbara Pastoral Region)
- Religious institute: Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception (since 2000)
History of the Parish
The parish grew from a 1927 mission chapel into a major Mexican-American Catholic congregation over nearly a century, surviving the transition from mission to parish (1942), the construction of its hall (1950), a remarkable run by Spanish I.E.M.E. missionaries (1958–1973), a quarter-century of Franciscan pastorates (1974–1998), and a major church remodeling completed in 1999. The 1967 Silver Jubilee book (held at Notre Dame, BX 4603 .S379 O97 1967) and Angelus News coverage document its early decades. Since 2000 the Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception have led the parish.
- 1927 — Father Buenaventura Nava, O.F.M., lays cornerstone
- December 1, 1929 — first Mass in the completed stone church
- October 31, 1942 — elevated to parish by Archbishop John J. Cantwell
- 1950 — parish hall built
- 1958–1973 — I.E.M.E. (Burgos Foreign Mission Society) pastors
- 1974–1998 — Franciscan pastors (Santa Barbara Province)
- September 12, 1999 — Cardinal Roger Mahony rededicates the remodeled church
- July 1, 2000 — Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception take pastoral care
The Stone Church and Its Remodeling
Built mainly with stones from the Santa Paula Creek, the original 1929 church — 'the stone church' — remains the parish's signature feature. Planning for its enlargement began in 1992 under Fr. Rene Juarez at parishioners' urging; after six years of preparation, groundbreaking began and the project was completed under Fr. Nelson Trinidad. Cardinal Roger Mahony rededicated the remodeled and enlarged church on September 12, 1999, in a joyful celebration attended by the hundreds of families who had sacrificed to see it realized.
- Architectural feature: cobblestones from Santa Paula Creek
- 1950 parish hall designed by George J. Adams, built by Barringer & Botke
- 1992 planning meeting called by Fr. Rene Juarez
- 1999 completion under Fr. Nelson Trinidad; rededicated by Cardinal Mahony
Clergy and Pastoral Leadership
The parish is led by Fr. Thomas J. Dome, C.R.I.C., as Parish Administrator, with Fr. Christopher Reeve, C.R.I.C., serving as Assistant and Rev. Mr. Alfonso Guilin as Deacon. Office Manager Patricia E. Huerta Sandoval runs the parish office. Since July 1, 2000 four of the parish's leaders have been members of the Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception, with one Claretian (Fr. Arturo Gomez) also serving. Historically, the parish has been led by 17+ pastors/administrators drawn from four religious institutes plus archdiocesan clergy.
- Fr. Thomas J. Dome, C.R.I.C. — Parish Administrator
- Fr. Christopher Reeve, C.R.I.C. — Assistant
- Rev. Mr. Alfonso Guilin — Deacon
- Patricia E. Huerta Sandoval — Office Manager
Past Pastor Succession
The full succession of pastors and administrators — from the chapel's founding in 1927 through the current administrator — represents four religious institutes plus archdiocesan clergy, and includes Spanish I.E.M.E. missionaries, Santa Barbara Province Franciscans, and Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception.
- Fr. Buenaventura Nava, O.F.M. (1927–29) — founder
- Fr. Juan Padilla (1942–43) — first resident pastor
- Fr. Anthony Cambra (1943–47)
- Fr. Jose Veloz (1947–58, 11 yrs)
- I.E.M.E. pastors 1958–73: Fr. Jenaro Artazcoz, Fr. Antonio Gonzalez, Fr. George Duran, Fr. Jesus Gomez
- Franciscan pastors 1974–98: Fr. Duncan MacDonell, Fr. Joseph Zermeno, Fr. Rene Juarez
- Fr. Nelson Trinidad, administrator (1998–2000)
- Fr. Arturo Gomez, C.M.F. (early 2000s)
- Fr. Pasquale Vuoso, C.R.I.C.
- Fr. James Garceau, C.R.I.C. (2 yrs)
- Fr. Charles Lueras, C.R.I.C. (from 2006)
- Fr. Thomas J. Dome, C.R.I.C. — present
Devotions and Parish Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish cultivates a daily Rosary at noon, a Thursday Holy Hour, and overnight Eucharistic Adoration before the Sunday liturgy. The community's strongest Marian devotion is to Our Lady of Guadalupe, expressed through the long-standing Guadalupanas women's society (founded 1927). The annual reception of the image of Santo Niño de Atocha from the Sanctuary in Zacatecas, Mexico, with its associated Mass and farewell procession to Las Piedras Park, is a defining community event.
- Guadalupanas women's society (since 1927)
- Santo Niño de Atocha annual visit and farewell procession
- Daily noon Rosary (Mon–Fri)
- Thursday Holy Hour; overnight Saturday Adoration
Faith Formation and Catholic School
The parish supports St. Sebastian School, a Preschool through 8th-grade Catholic school at 325 E. Santa Barbara Street, Santa Paula, that jointly serves the Heritage Valley parishes of St. Francis of Assisi (Fillmore), Our Lady of Guadalupe, and St. Sebastian (Santa Paula). Faith formation / catechism classes have historically been held in the parish hall, and the parish is listed in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Catholic Directory within Deanery 3 of the Santa Barbara Pastoral Region.
- St. Sebastian School — Preschool–8th grade, Heritage Valley
- School pastor: Father Pasquale Vuoso, C.R.I.C.
- School chaplain: Father Chris Reeves, C.R.I.C.
- Jointly serves Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Sebastian and St. Francis of Assisi parishes
Music and Liturgy
Music at Our Lady of Guadalupe is directed by Daniel Delgado, a guitarist and singer with over 35 years of ministry in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, who has performed at ordinations at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and at high-profile civic events. The parish's bilingual (Spanish/English) liturgical life is supported by cantors and the music ministry at six Sunday Masses plus the daily and Vigil schedule.
- Director of Music: Daniel Delgado (since 1991 at the parish)
- Bilingual Spanish/English liturgy
Visiting, Directions, and Contact
The church is at 427 North Oak Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060-2206. From U.S. 101, take the 10th Street off-ramp north about half a mile, veer right onto Saticoy Street, then turn left at North Oak Street. Phone (805) 525-3716; fax (805) 525-3788; email [email protected]. The parish livestreams and publishes on Facebook (facebook.com/guadalupechurchsp) and YouTube.
- Address: 427 N. Oak Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060-2206
- Phone: (805) 525-3716; Fax: (805) 525-3788
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: http://www.guadalupechurchsp.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/guadalupechurchsp
- YouTube live stream
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Buenaventura Nava, O.F.M.1927–1929
Franciscan missionary from St. Sebastian Parish who founded the chapel; laid cornerstone July 7, 1927; blessed finished church and bell and celebrated first Mass on December 1, 1929.
- Fr. Gargallopre-1942
Assistant at St. Sebastian / Our Lady of Guadalupe; organized the 'Club de los Cien' whose fixed monthly pledges made parish status possible.
- Fr. Juan Padilla1942–1943 (less than a year)
First resident pastor after the chapel was elevated to parish status by Archbishop John J. Cantwell on October 31, 1942.
- Fr. Anthony Cambra1943–1947
Archdiocesan priest; later served Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes in Hermosa Beach and El Monte and was pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Guadalupe (1954–1976); died 1977.
- Fr. Jose Veloz1947–1958 (11 years)
From Mexico; previously administered Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes in Santa Ana and on Hammel Street in East L.A.; oversaw building of the parish hall (ground broken July 22, 1950, completed November 1950).
- Fr. Jenaro Artazcoz, I.E.M.E.Sept 1958 – Feb 1963
First pastor from the Burgos Foreign Mission Society; born in Pamplona, Navarra; ordained at the 1952 International Eucharistic Congress in Barcelona; also served Our Lady of Guadalupe in Santa Barbara; named Superior General of I.E.M.E. in 1969.
- Fr. Antonio Gonzalez, I.E.M.E.Feb 1963 – 1967
Succeeded himself as pastor after first serving the parish as assistant (1958–59); later missionary in Japan.
- Fr. George Duran, I.E.M.E.1967–1969
Later incardinated into the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and named a monsignor.
- Fr. Jesus Gomez, I.E.M.E.1969–1973
Last of the four Burgos Foreign Mission Society pastors (1958–1973).
- Fr. Duncan MacDonell, O.F.M.1974–c.1980 (6 years)
Franciscan of the Santa Barbara Province.
- Fr. Joseph Zermeno, O.F.M.c.1980–1991 (10 years)
Franciscan of the Santa Barbara Province; native of Texas.
- Fr. Rene Juarez1991–1998 (8 years)
From Mexico; at the urging of parishioners initiated planning for the church remodeling/enlargement in 1992; groundbreaking followed six years later; later pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Los Angeles.
- Fr. Nelson Trinidad1998–2000 (administrator)
Incardinated from the Diocese of Santa Ana, El Salvador; guided the construction/remodel project to completion and the September 12, 1999 rededication by Cardinal Mahony; later administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Rosehill), East L.A.
- Fr. Arturo Gomez, C.M.F.c.2000–early 2000s
Claretian Missionary from Arizona; one of four leaders since 2000.
- Fr. Pasquale Vuoso, C.R.I.C.c.2003–early 2000s
Brooklyn-born; local superior of the Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception; served as administrator and pastor; later pastor of neighboring St. Sebastian Parish.
- Fr. James Garceau, C.R.I.C.c.2004–2006 (2 years)
Later joined the Norbertine Fathers in Orange.
- Fr. Charles Lueras, C.R.I.C.2006–c.2023
Native Angeleno, ordained 1981; known for his work with the Southern California Renewal Communities; inherited the famous 'stone church' and its long Guadalupe tradition.
- Fr. Thomas J. Dome, C.R.I.C.present (Parish Administrator)
Current administrator; Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception.
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