About Our Lady of Solitude · Palm Springs, California
Our Lady of Solitude is a Catholic parish in downtown Palm Springs, California, founded in 1929 and dedicated in February 1930. Built in the California Mission style, the historic church was originally intended to serve visitors to Palm Springs' famous desert resorts and remains a downtown landmark of simple, devotional architecture. The parish is now served by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) and runs more than 20 ministries, including religious education, a food pantry, outreach to immigrants and the sick, and weekly hosting of Well in the Desert. It is a bilingual English-Spanish community where roughly half of attendees worship in Spanish, and is known for its hospitality to seasonal 'Snowbirds' as well as year-round residents.
- Established
- 1929
- Patron
- Our Lady of Solitude (María de la Soledad)
- Rector
- Rev. Luis A. Segura, M.S.C.
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Bernardino
Why belong here
Our Lady of Solitude is a historic, bilingual parish in the heart of Palm Springs where English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics worship side by side. With more than 20 active ministries — from religious formation for children, teens, and adults, to a food pantry, immigrant outreach, and care for the sick and bereaved — there are many ways to get involved. The parish also has a special tradition of hospitality to winter 'Snowbirds' who return year after year, making it a welcoming spiritual home for both full-time residents and seasonal visitors.
Mass times at Our Lady of Solitude
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (Saturdays 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.)
- By appointment during the week — call the parish office
History of the Parish
By the 1920s Palm Springs was growing and attracting visitors who came for the dry desert climate and sunshine. In 1926 a small group of Catholics formed a community and wished to have their own parish. The church was built in the Mission Revival Style and dedicated in February 1930 — the 'Little Church' that became Our Lady of Solitude. The parish grew with Catholic residents and seasonal visitors, including many Hollywood entertainers, and became a downtown landmark of simple, devotional architecture.
- Founded 1929; dedicated February 1930
- Originally called the 'Little Church' before being named Our Lady of Solitude
- California Mission / Mission Revival architecture
- Long-time place of worship for Catholic movie stars visiting Palm Springs
A Bilingual, Multicultural Community
During the 1970s the parish began celebrating Mass in Spanish to serve a growing Hispanic Catholic community. The Mexican community was joined by parishioners from the Philippines, Central America, Vietnam, Peru, Iraq, and other countries. Today about half of Catholics at Our Lady of Solitude attend the Spanish-language Masses, while the rest worship in English.
- English and Spanish Masses every weekend
- Hispanic community is the largest cultural presence
- Filipino, Central American, Vietnamese, Peruvian, and Iraqi parishioners also represented
Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC)
Since 2005 Our Lady of Solitude has been served by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), an international religious congregation. Their motto is 'May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere.' Both the pastor and parochial vicar are MSC priests.
- Parish entrusted to MSC since 2005
- Pastor: Rev. Luis A. Segura, M.S.C.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jos Rajesh Peter, M.S.C.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by an MSC pastor with an MSC parochial vicar and two deacons, supported by a small lay staff.
- Pastor — Rev. Luis Segura, M.S.C.
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Jos Rajesh Peter, M.S.C.
- Deacon — Jaime Rosas
- Deacon (retired) — John Skora; maintains parish website and online giving
- Parish Secretary — Laura Sanchez
- Catechetical Ministry Coordinator — Maricela Ruiz
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a well-recognized program of religious formation for children and teens, and each year many adults complete their sacramental formation as well. The Catechetical Ministry is coordinated by Maricela Ruiz.
- Religious education for children and teens
- Adult sacramental formation (including RCIA)
- Catechetical Ministry Coordinator: Maricela Ruiz
Outreach & Charity
Our Lady of Solitude is known for its ministries of service to those in need in the greater Palm Springs community.
- Parish food pantry for the poor and homeless
- Hosts Well in the Desert once a week
- Outreach to the sick
- Outreach to the bereaved
- Outreach to immigrants
Hospitality to 'Snowbirds'
Most parishioners live and work in Palm Springs year-round, but the parish also keeps a long tradition of hospitality to seasonal winter visitors — the 'Snowbirds' — many of whom return every year and consider Our Lady of Solitude their parish away from home.
- Welcoming community for seasonal winter residents
- Continues the founding mission of serving visitors to the desert
Diocese of San Bernardino
Our Lady of Solitude is part of the Diocese of San Bernardino, in the Low Desert Vicariate, under Bishop Alberto Rojas.
- Diocese: San Bernardino
- Diocese founded 1978
- Bishop: Alberto Rojas
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors are welcome at the downtown Palm Springs church. The parish office is open during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
- Address: 151 W. Alejo Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262
- Phone: (760) 325-3816
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Summer hours (beginning June 1, 2026): 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.