About St. Anthony of Padua · National City, California
St. Anthony of Padua is a Roman Catholic parish in National City, California, in the Diocese of San Diego. Officially established on May 29, 1910, it is one of the oldest Catholic communities in the South Bay, with Mass being celebrated in National City as far back as 1887. The parish serves a predominantly bilingual (Spanish and English) congregation with daily and Sunday Mass, sacramental preparation, and parish ministries. After a fire destroyed the original church, the parish rebuilt in California Mission style in 1998, a building decorated by local and regional artists.
- Established
- 1910
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Gerardo Gomez
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua is a bilingual Catholic home for the South Bay — a parish that has gathered families around the altar since 1910. Daily and Sunday Mass are offered in Spanish and English, with weekly Confession and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, year-round sacramental preparation for children and adults (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation), and faith-formation programs including Family Catechism and OCIA. The community is rooted in the legacy of its founders and in the artistic devotion of the 1998 mission-style church, and welcomes anyone looking for a parish that is at once deeply traditional and vibrantly Latino.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 4:30 PM – 5:20 PM
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (see parish schedule for day)
Parish History
St. Anthony of Padua parish was officially established on May 29, 1910, in what is now the Diocese of San Diego (previously a part of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles). The first Mass in National City had been celebrated on February 27, 1887 in Dranga Hall by Fr. Ubach of the Mission San Diego. After the fire that destroyed the original church, the parish rebuilt in California Mission style and was consecrated by Bishop Robert Brom on December 12, 1998.
- 1887 – First Mass in National City, Dranga Hall, by Fr. Ubach
- 1910 – Parish officially established (May 29)
- 1913 – Pastoral care transferred to St. Rose of Lima, Chula Vista
- 1928 – St. Mary's founded as a daughter parish of St. Anthony
- 1944 – Fr. James Fitzgerald named first Pastor; parish moved from Shelltown to its current West 18th Street site
- 1998 – Fire destroys original church; Bishop Brom authorizes rebuild; Bishop Chavez blesses the site (Jan 17); first Mass in the new church (Nov 1); church consecrated (Dec 12)
Architecture & Artistic Heritage
The current church was designed in California Mission style by architect Scott Thomas of Zagrodnick and Thomas Inc., built by contractor T.B. Penick and Sons, Inc., and seats 350 — almost three times the old capacity. It is decorated with work by several artists: interior walls painted in Spanish mission style by local artist Anne Reilly (who also designed and executed the unique Stations of the Cross); the Altar Crucifix and the shrines of the Holy Family and St. Anthony carved from mahogany by Antonio Galvan of Tijuana, Mexico, and polychromed by Reilly; wrought-iron screens by Salvador Soto; and stained-glass windows designed by the Judson Studios of Los Angeles.
- California Mission style
- Capacity: 350
- Interior art by Anne Reilly (walls and Stations of the Cross)
- Mahogany carvings by Antonio Galvan (Tijuana)
- Wrought iron by Salvador Soto
- Stained glass by Judson Studios of Los Angeles
Clergy & Pastoral Succession
The parish has been shepherded by a long succession of priests. Fr. James Fitzgerald was named the first Pastor in 1944 and shaped the parish's physical home on West 18th Street. Since then the community has been served by twelve subsequent pastors. The current pastor is Rev. Gerardo Gomez, who began in July 2023.
- 1944 – Rev. James Fitzgerald
- 1948 – Rev. Joseph R. Campo
- 1952 – Rev. Richard P. Lynch
- 1956 – Rev. Joseph Rossell
- 1972 – Rev. Robert Omaña
- 1982 – Rev. Vincent E. Lorenz
- 1992 – Rev. Jose Maria Larrañaga
- 1995 – Rev. William T. Lawson
- 2000 – Rev. Mike Ortiz
- 2003 – Rev. Emmet Farrell
- 2006 – Rev. Higinio Garcia
- 2007 – Very Rev. Edmundo Zarate-Suarez
- 2023 – Rev. Gerardo Gomez (present)
Mass & Liturgy
St. Anthony of Padua offers a bilingual liturgical schedule, with Sunday Mass in both Spanish and English, a Saturday Vigil Mass in Spanish, and a daily Spanish Mass Monday through Friday. The parish also offers weekly Reconciliation and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Sunday Masses: 8:00 AM Spanish, 10:00 AM English, 12:00 PM Spanish
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 PM (Spanish)
- Weekday Masses: Monday–Friday 5:30 PM (Spanish)
Religious Education & Faith Formation
St. Anthony's Religious Education Program is a two-year sacramental preparation program for children and teens following diocesan policy. It returns to in-person faith formation in line with CDC and diocesan guidelines. Sacramental preparation covers Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation.
- Family Catechism (grades 2–6): parents and students attend in-person class once a week
- First Communion (grades 2–12): two-year program
- Confirmation (ages 14–17): two-year program with classes, activities, and one retreat per year
- Baptism for children ages 7–17: two-year preparation program; registrations held weekends of July & August after every Mass
Adult Faith Formation (OCIA)
Adults interested in becoming Catholic, or baptized Catholics who have not yet celebrated Confirmation or Communion, follow a process known as OCIA — the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. Registration requires a completed form, a copy of a Baptism or birth certificate, and a $75 tuition deposit. Classes meet in person once a week on Sundays.
- OCIA for unbaptized adults and Catholics seeking Communion/Confirmation
- 1-year preparation process
- In-person classes on Sundays
- Registration: form, certificate, $75 deposit
Parish Ministries
Parish life is supported by lay faithful serving in catechesis, Hispanic outreach, and other parish groups. Ministries listed on the parish site include Catechists and Fe en Acción.
- Catechists
- Fe en Acción
Sacraments
The parish prepares the faithful for the seven sacraments, including Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Adult preparation is offered through OCIA, and children's preparation is offered through the Religious Education Program.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- First Communion
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
Events & Community Life
The parish hosts community-building and fundraising events such as Venta de Comida (food sales), bringing parishioners together beyond the Sunday liturgy.
- Venta de Comida / Food Sale
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office during the week for Mass cards, sacramental records, registrations, or special accessibility arrangements. The parish maintains a presence on Facebook and Instagram.
- Address: 410 W 18th St, National City, CA 91950
- Phone: (619) 707-9995
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon 2–5 PM; Tue–Fri 8 AM–12 PM & 2–5 PM; Sat & Sun closed
- Facebook: @stanthonyofpaduanationalcity
- Instagram: @stanthonyofpaduanc
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James Fitzgerald1944–1948
First Pastor; bought the West 18th and Harding lots, purchased the Rectory, moved the parish from Shelltown to its present site.
- Rev. Joseph R. Campo1948–1952
- Rev. Richard P. Lynch1952–1956
- Rev. Joseph Rossell1956–1972
- Rev. Robert Omaña1972–1982
- Rev. Vincent E. Lorenz1982–1992
- Rev. Jose Maria Larrañaga1992–1995
- Rev. William T. Lawson1995–2000
- Rev. Mike Ortiz2000–2003
- Rev. Emmet Farrell2003–2006
- Rev. Higinio Garcia2006–2007
- Very Rev. Edmundo Zarate-Suarez2007–2023
- Rev. Gerardo GomezJuly 2023–present
Current pastor.