About St. Agustin · Scotts Valley, California
Catholic Community of San Agustin is a small Catholic parish tucked into the hills above Santa Cruz in Scotts Valley, California, in the Diocese of Monterey in Fresno. Founded in 1969, the parish takes its name from the historic Mexican land grant 'San Agustín Ranchero' that originally encompassed the entire Scotts Valley area. Today the parish serves roughly 350 registered households from its single campus at 257 Glenwood Drive, offering weekend and weekday Masses, faith formation for youth and adults, an active Altar Society, a St. Vincent de Paul conference, Knights of Columbus council, and a pastoral outreach ministry that keeps homebound parishioners connected to the community.
- Established
- 1969
- Patron
- St. Augustine
- Rector
- Father Jerry Maher
- Diocese
- Diocese of Monterey in Fresno
Why belong here
San Agustín is a small but deeply connected parish where nearly everyone knows each other by name. Parishioners are drawn by its long Irish pastoral tradition, its welcoming spirit, its active ministries — from the Altar Society and Knights of Columbus to SA Connect outreach to homebound members — and its strong faith formation for both youth and adults. Whether you're seeking weekend Mass, sacramental preparation, or a place to serve, you'll find a community that prides itself on being a 'faith family' that 'welcomes all who come here to serve and worship the God who lives among us.'
Mass times at St. Agustin
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM (also by appointment with the Pastor)
About San Agustín Catholic Community
Catholic Community of San Agustin is a small parish in the hills above Santa Cruz, in the Diocese of Monterey in Fresno, serving about 350 registered households from a single campus at 257 Glenwood Drive in Scotts Valley. Founded in 1969 and named after the historic Mexican land grant 'San Agustín Ranchero,' the parish welcomes all who come to serve and worship the God who lives among us.
- Diocese of Monterey in Fresno
- Founded 1969
- About 350 registered households
- Address: 257 Glenwood Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
- Phone: (831) 438-3633
Parish History
The parish was founded in 1969, three years after Scotts Valley incorporated as a city. Its name comes from the original Mexican land grant 'San Agustín Ranchero' that once covered all of Scotts Valley. The first Mass was celebrated outdoors on June 8, 1969, by founding pastor Father Michael MacDonald, and the chapel with a handmade Santa Cruz Mountain redwood cross was completed by 1971.
- 1969 — first Mass celebrated in a field by Father Michael MacDonald
- 1970 — multipurpose building completed in September
- 1971 — Spanish mission-style redwood cross dedicated in April
- 1972 — Santa Fe train bell installed (later dedicated to Father Mac)
- First 17 years led by three Irish priests (McDonald, Leonard, McDonald)
- 1987 — Pope John Paul II visited the Diocese of Monterey during Father Adams's pastorate
- 1989 — Loma Prieta earthquake; parishioners sheltered in the church
- 2005 — 'Lift up our House to the Lord' renovation completed in October
- 2019 — 50th Anniversary celebrated in June
- Today — about 350 registered households
Distinctive Features & Architecture
The parish's identity is tied to several handmade features on its campus. A Spanish mission-style cross was fashioned by the San Agustin Men's Committee from a Santa Cruz Mountain redwood and dedicated in April 1971, the parish's first Easter in its new chapel. A Santa Fe train bell, donated by the Weinmann family in 1972, was installed above the church and later dedicated to Father Mac's memory. Skylights and a 150-year-old pipe organ were added in the late 1980s, and a major renovation including a new dormer roof was completed in October 2005.
- Handmade Spanish mission-style redwood cross (1971)
- Santa Fe train bell, donated by the Weinmann family (1972)
- Skylights in sanctuary and 150-year-old pipe organ (Father Adams era)
- New dormer roof and full renovation completed October 2005
- Mary's Grotto and Rose Garden behind the rectory, built by the Altar Society
- Playground below the rectory, dedicated to Father Joe Leonard
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
The parish runs an active Youth Faith Formation program for the 2025-26 year, with upcoming Day of Reflection and 'Grace and Grounding' retreat opportunities for educators. Teens preparing for Confirmation meet with the Bishop as part of the sacramental preparation process.
- Youth Faith Formation 2025-26
- Teen Confirmation with Bishop
- Day of Reflection with Scott Newman (May 11, 2026)
- Grace and Grounding retreat for educators (June 22-25, 2026)
Parish Ministries & Groups
San Agustín has a vibrant network of ministries rooted in its small-parish culture. The Altar Society maintains the sanctuary and altar furnishings and meets monthly; the St. Vincent de Paul Conference and a local Knights of Columbus council serve those in need; SA Connect Pastoral Outreach keeps homebound and senior parishioners connected and brings Friday Communion to Brookdale Senior Living; and small faith-sharing groups like the Book Reflection of 'The Universal Christ' gather weekly.
- SA Connect Pastoral Outreach (Debbie LaCapria) — Friday Communion at Brookdale Senior Living 11:00 AM
- Altar Society (Marge Bac, President) — monthly meetings 3rd Thursday
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- Knights of Columbus — local council
- Weekly Book Reflection of 'Universal Christ' (Tuesdays 10:00 AM or Wednesdays 6:30 PM)
- Annual San Agustín Golf Tournament
- Annual St. Patrick's Dinner Dance (Irish-themed fundraiser)
- Volunteer Appreciation events
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
The parish celebrates the Eucharist daily (see schedule above), offers Reconciliation on Saturdays and by appointment, prepares youth for Confirmation with the Bishop, and welcomes new members through Baptism (a new baptismal font was installed under Father Seamus O'Brien's second term). Mass Intentions can be booked online through the parish website or by calling the Parish Office.
- Eucharist — full weekend and weekday schedule
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:00 PM and by appointment
- Baptism — new font installed to welcome new members
- Confirmation — youth preparation with the Bishop
- Mass Intentions — bookable online or by phone (831-438-3633)
- Pastoral visits to the homebound and hospitalized via SA Connect
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Michael MacDonald1969 – c.1970
Founding pastor; celebrated the first outdoor Mass on June 8, 1969. The Santa Fe train bell was later dedicated to his memory.
- Father Joe Leonardc.1970 – c.1978
Eight-year pastor; launched the first St. Patrick's Dinner Party and founded the Altar Society. The playground below the rectory was later dedicated to him.
- Father Martin McDonaldc.1978 – c.1986
Eight-year pastor during the parish's first seventeen years under three Irish priests.
- Father Michael Adamsc.1986 – c.1994
Eight-year pastor whose tenure overlapped Pope John Paul II's 1987 visit to the Diocese of Monterey; established the St. Vincent de Paul conference and installed skylights and a 150-year-old pipe organ.
- Father Marvin Steffes1994 (Administrator)
Served as Administrator for most of 1994; helped the parish celebrate its Silver Jubilee 25th Anniversary.
- Father Matt Penningtonc.1994 – c.2006
Twelve-year pastor; oversaw parish growth to over 600 families and the Angels' Auction fundraiser (which ran for twenty years).
- Father Derek Hughes2006 – 2007
Served one year as Administrator after Father Matt's departure.
- Father Jerry Maher2007 – 2010
First term: revived the St. Patrick's Dinner Dance in full Irish style; led the 40th Anniversary in 2010.
- Father Seamus O'Brien2010 – 2013
Sixth Irish priest; launched the San Agustín Golf Tournament and helped establish a local Knights of Columbus council.
- Father John Griffin2013 – 2019
Brought a love of music and architecture; paid off the building debt and led the 50th Anniversary in June 2019.
- Father Seamus O'Brien2019 – 2023
Returned for a second stint; oversaw deferred maintenance and new baptismal font, and guided the parish through the COVID pandemic before retiring in June 2023.
- Father Jerry Maher2023 – present
Returned for another term as pastor; continues to shepherd the parish community.