About St. Boniface · Anaheim, California
St. Boniface Catholic Church is the oldest continuously operating Catholic parish in Orange County, California, with roots tracing back to 1860 when Mass was first celebrated for the German immigrant community of Anaheim. Located at 120 N. Janss Street in downtown Anaheim, it belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange and serves one of the most ethnically diverse Catholic congregations in the region, with Masses celebrated in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The parish is renowned for its striking 1964 mid-century church, whose 16 monumental stained-glass windows — designed by Dutch artist Alex Asperlagh — are considered a masterpiece of sacred art in Southern California.
- Established
- 1869
- Patron
- Saint Boniface (Apostle of the Germans)
- Rector
- Rev. Edward Poettgen
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
Why belong here
St. Boniface offers one of the most liturgically diverse Catholic experiences in Orange County, with seven Sunday Masses in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, daily confessions in three languages, and both morning and evening Eucharistic Adoration every weekday — including a 24-hour First Friday vigil. The parish supports a wide network of ministries (Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, El Shaddai Prayer Group, Filipino Ministry, Bible Study, family faith formation, youth ministry, and RCIA) and welcomes three distinct cultural communities under one roof, making it an especially good fit for trilingual, multicultural Catholic families in northern Orange County.
Mass times at St. Boniface
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Vietnamese / English / Spanish)
- Wednesday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (English / Spanish)
- Friday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Vietnamese / English / Spanish)
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- Monday – Friday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- 24-hour Adoration on the First Friday of each month, beginning after the 8:00 AM Mass and continuing until the 8:00 AM Mass on Saturday
Parish History
Saint Boniface traces its roots to 1860, when pioneer families such as the Yorbas and the Rimpaus hosted traveling priests from Mission San Gabriel. The first recorded Mass in Anaheim was celebrated in 1867 by the Reverend Peter Verdagauer; in 1869 the community built Anaheim's first Catholic chapel — a modest 16-by-42-foot wooden structure — and in 1875 the parish was officially recognized under the patronage of Saint Boniface, the apostle of the Germans. The parish welcomed the Dominican Sisters in 1888 to found St. Catherine's School, and in 1903 a larger Gothic Revival brick church was erected at West Center Street (now Lincoln) and Janss Street. By 2009 the parish numbered more than 20,000 families and celebrated its 150th anniversary with a commemorative Mass, a museum, and the publication of "One Bread One Body: 150 Years of Family, Community, and Service."
- 1867 – First Mass celebrated in Anaheim by Rev. Peter Verdagauer
- 1869 – First wooden chapel built (16 ft tall, 42 × 20 ft)
- 1875 – Parish officially recognized as Saint Boniface
- 1888 – Dominican Sisters arrive; found St. Catherine's School
- 1889 – St. Catherine's School dedicated March 19
- 1903 – Gothic Revival brick church dedicated June 28
- 1958–1971 – Monsignor John Quatannens serves as pastor
- 1964 – Current mid-century church completed; old Gothic church demolished
- 2009–2010 – Sesquicentennial celebrated; commemorative book published
Architecture & Sacred Art
The present-day church, dedicated in 1964, is a mid-century-modern building of marble, terrazzo, and stained glass whose aesthetic was deliberately shaped by the European roots of its builder, Monsignor John Quatannens. Sixteen 12-foot clerestory windows by Dutch artist Alex Asperlagh form the centerpiece; east-side windows depict the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, west-side the seven sacraments, and sanctuary windows the Sacrifice of Abraham and the Sacrifice of Melchizedek. European artists also created the bells, communion-rail grillwork, and statuary, giving the building an Old World character rare in mid-century California church design.
- Architect of 1903 church: George Riccard of Los Angeles
- Contractor of 1903 church: C.H. Smith of Fullerton
- Dimensions of 1903 church: 100 ft long × 42 ft wide, 87 ft tower
- Stained-glass designer: Alex Asperlagh (1901–1984), Academie van beeldende kunsten, The Hague
- Windows crafted in Altadena, CA, in the European method
- Mosaic Stations of the Cross and monumental statue of Saint Boniface in interior
Parish Ministries
More than a dozen lay-led ministries serve the spiritual, charitable, and cultural needs of the parish. Outreach through the St. Vincent de Paul Service Center addresses material poverty, while prayer and formation groups such as the Legion of Mary, El Shaddai Prayer Group, Bible Study, and Knights of Columbus sustain the devotional life of the community. Cultural ministries including the Filipino Ministry help integrate Anaheim's diverse Catholic populations.
- St. Vincent de Paul Service Center (Maria Alcala, 714-535-2742)
- Legion of Mary
- Knights of Columbus (John Garrett, 714-392-9341)
- El Shaddai Prayer Group (Filipino charismatic prayer)
- Filipino Ministry (Baby Michitr, 951-272-8902)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Ernie Reyes, 714-995-5307)
- Stewardship Council (Cindy Garrett, 714-491-0065)
- Bereavement Ministry
- Bible Study (Linda Melanson 714-991-5440 or Tony Verhallen 714-822-9787)
Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. Boniface serves children, youth, and adults in three languages. The Family Faith Formation office coordinates sacramental preparation and ongoing religious education; the Youth Office runs youth ministry and confirmation preparation; and a Vietnamese Faith Formation program is staffed by Sr. Mary Nguyen. Adult Faith Formation (including RCIA) and a Spanish-language sacraments coordinator round out the parish's formation offerings.
- Family Faith Formation Coordinator: Irma Vega (714-772-3060, ext. 300)
- Youth Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Director: Nohemi Gutierrez (714-678-0028)
- Director of Adult Faith Formation: Angel Rangel (ext. 304)
- Coordinator of Sacraments for Adults (Spanish): Sergio Torres (ext. 305)
- Vietnamese Faith Formation: Sr. Mary Nguyen (ext. 308)
- Hispanic Migrant Ministry / Young Adult Coordinator: Alba Ramiro (ext. 112)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass
Clergy, Deacons & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Edward Poettgen and served by two Parochial Vicars (Rev. Benjamin Hoang and Rev. Nicolas Nguyen) along with four deacons. A 2026 diocesan reassignment will add Rev. Hector Bedoya (part-time) and Rev. Nicolaus Duy Thai as additional parochial vicars. The front office and Pastoral Center staff include a business manager, office manager, music & liturgy director, director of social communications & technology, and a team of receptionists and formation assistants.
- Pastor: Rev. Edward Poettgen (ext. 106)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Benjamin Hoang (ext. 108)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Nicolas Nguyen (ext. 107)
- Deacons: José Luis Reynoso, Alfredo Hernández, Joseph Minh Tong, Roberto Hernández
- Business Manager: Brenda Chanocua (ext. 105)
- Office Manager: Dulce Romero (ext. 102)
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Diana Fisher (714-678-0029, ext. 212)
- Director of Social Communications & Technology: Ana Merino (ext. 116)
Contact & Visiting
The parish office is open Monday through Saturday with varying hours; the main number is (714) 956-3110 and individual extensions reach the music office, faith formation office, youth office, and clergy. Visitors are invited to stop by the Pastoral Center to pick up a copy of the parish's commemorative history book.
- Address: 120 N. Janss Street, Anaheim, CA 92805
- Main phone: (714) 956-3110
- Faith Formation Office: (714) 772-3060
- Youth Office: (714) 678-0028
- Music Office: (714) 678-0029
- Website: http://www.stbonifaceonline.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Peter Verdagauer1867
Celebrated the first recorded Mass in Anaheim at the home of Theodore Rimpau.
- Rev. Francis Dubbelc. 1900–1903
Pastoral care during the building of the 1903 Gothic Revival church.
- Monsignor John Quatannens1958–1971
Born in Belgium, graduate of the American College of Louvain. Led the construction of the present-day mid-century church, completed and dedicated in 1964. Elevated to Monsignor.
- Rev. James C. GrayPastor from January 15 (year unverified)
Listed as a former pastor in parish history.
- Rev. Gilberto EscobedoThrough Feb. 9, 2017
Resigned from the pastorate on Feb. 9, 2017, and was placed on leave of absence.
- Rev. Edward Poettgen2017–present
Current pastor; previously served elsewhere in the Diocese of Orange.