About St. Anne [St. Anne's Parish] · Porterville, California
St. Anne's Parish is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Porterville, California, in the San Joaquin Valley, belonging to the Diocese of Fresno. Founded in 1896 (with roots as a parish mission from 1892), it is a multilingual community serving Porterville and surrounding communities including Terra Bella, Springville, the Tule River Reservation, Ducor, and Woodville Camp. The parish worships at five locations — St. Anne's Church, Holy Cross Church, and three mission churches (Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro in Terra Bella, St. Maximilian Kolbe in Springville, and Mater Dolorosa on the Tule River Reservation). Mass is celebrated in both English and Spanish, with rich devotions such as weekly Adoration and a 24-hour First Friday Adoration.
- Established
- 1896
- Patron
- St. Anne (mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Dan Avila
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fresno
Why belong here
St. Anne's Parish welcomes Catholics from Porterville and a wide swath of rural Tulare County — including Terra Bella, Springville, the Tule River Reservation, Ducor, and Woodville Camp — into a thriving bilingual community that celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish every day of the week. Daily and Sunday Masses are offered across five worship sites, with regular Confession, weekday Adoration from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, a Wednesday Holy Hour at Holy Cross Church, and a 24-hour First Friday Adoration that concludes with Benediction and Holy Mass. Active parish groups include the Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, Altar Society, Rosary Prayer Groups, Prison Ministry, Natural Family Planning, a Food Pantry, and Right to Life — meaning there is a place for every age and calling to serve.
Mass times at St. Anne [St. Anne's Parish]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM–7:00 PM — Holy Cross Church (Bilingual)
- Thursday 6:30 PM–7:30 PM — Holy Cross Church (Bilingual)
- First Friday 6:00 PM–7:00 PM — Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Terra Bella (Bilingual)
- An appointment for confession can also be made by calling (559) 784-2800
Adoration times
- Monday 1:00 PM–6:00 PM — St. Anne's Church
- Tuesday 1:00 PM–6:00 PM — St. Anne's Church
- Wednesday 7:00 PM–8:00 PM — Holy Hour at Holy Cross Church
- Thursday 1:00 PM–6:00 PM — St. Anne's Church
- Friday 1:00 PM–6:00 PM — St. Anne's Church
- First Friday — 24-hour Adoration at St. Anne's Church (begins at times including the 7:30 AM–8:30 AM window) and concluding the following day with Benediction and Holy Mass; also 6:00 PM–7:00 PM Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Terra Bella (Bilingual)
Parish History & Identity
St. Anne's Parish has served Catholic life in the San Joaquin Valley since the 1890s. It began as a parish mission in 1892 in the young town of Porterville and was formally established as a parish in 1896 under the Diocese of Fresno. The present St. Anne's Church was built in 1952 and houses a notable Italian marble altar and carved reredos.
- Mission founded: 1892
- Parish established: 1896
- Current St. Anne's Church built: 1952
- Feast of St. Anne: July 26
Worship Sites & Parochial Family
St. Anne's Parish is not a single building but a community of five worship sites serving a wide area of Tulare County. Holy Cross Church was added in 2006 as a larger worship space. Three mission churches extend the parish's reach to smaller surrounding communities.
- St. Anne's Church — 378 N F Street, Porterville (parish office, weekday English Masses, weekday Adoration)
- Holy Cross Church — Porterville (most weekend Masses, bilingual devotions, Wednesday Holy Hour)
- Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro Mission — Terra Bella (Sunday 9:30 AM Spanish Mass)
- St. Maximilian Kolbe Mission — Springville (Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM English Mass)
- Mater Dolorosa Mission — Tule River Indian Reservation
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by its pastor, with a parochial vicar and retired priests in residence supporting the sacramental and pastoral life of the community.
- Fr. Dan Avila — Pastor (appointed Dec. 1, 2023; ordained 1987 for Diocese of Fresno; fluent English/Spanish/Portuguese; former Director of Vocations)
- Fr. Guadalupe Vargas — Parochial Vicar
- Msgr. Scott Daugherty — long-serving previous pastor (20+ years)
- Msgr. Ronald Royer — retired priest in residence; internationally known amateur astronomer
Parish Ministries & Organizations
An active network of lay ministries and parish groups makes the parish a center of Catholic community life. Opportunities range from prayer and spiritual formation to charitable outreach and pro-life advocacy.
- Legion of Mary
- Altar Society
- Knights of Columbus
- Catholic Daughters
- Rosary Prayer Groups
- Prison Ministry
- Natural Family Planning
- Food Pantry
- Right to Life / ONE Life Walk
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a Children's Religious Education Program (Catechism) that supports parents as the primary teachers of faith. Registrations for the next catechetical year are announced through the parish office.
- Children's Catechism (K–8)
- Office of Religious Education: (559) 784-5857
- Annual orientation and registration each fall
- Safe Environment program in place
Sacraments
St. Anne's Parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven sacraments; contact the parish office to begin preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, or Reconciliation.
- Baptism — parental preparation
- Eucharist / Reconciliation — via Children's Catechism
- Confirmation — via parish religious education
- Matrimony — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
- Holy Orders — supported through the Diocese of Fresno Vocations Office
Visit, Contact & Stay Connected
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone or email, and stay informed through bulletins, FlockNote, Facebook, and the parish's YouTube channel, which live-streams select Sunday Masses.
- Phone: (559) 784-2800
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: @saintannesparish
- YouTube: @saintannesparish
- FlockNote: stanneschurch.flocknote.com
- Website: stannesparish.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Scott Daugherty20+ years (until 2023)
Long-serving pastor recognized as a faithful and orthodox leader of the parish.
- Fr. Dan Avilaeffective December 1, 2023
Previously Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Fresno and Pastor of Our Lady of Miracles, Gustine; ordained 1987; hometown Gustine.