About St. Elizabeth of Hungary · Julian, California
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church is a small mountain parish in the historic gold-mining town of Julian, California, situated in the Diocese of San Diego's Escondido Deanery. Founded on May 26, 1949 by Bishop Charles Francis Buddy, it has served Julian and the surrounding backcountry for more than 75 years. Under the current pastor, Fr. Roldan 'Dan' Nuñez, the parish combines traditional Catholic devotion — including a Marian stained-glass program, a working bell tower, and First Friday/First Saturday devotions — with a hands-on outreach ministry, CCD/Confirmation classes, and community events like the annual Oktoberfest.
- Established
- 1949
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary
- Rector
- Fr. Roldan 'Dan' Nuñez
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Diego (Escondido Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth of Hungary is the spiritual heart of Catholic life in Julian and the surrounding backcountry — a small, walkable mountain parish where nearly every family knows one another by name. Visitors and parishioners are drawn by the full traditional schedule (daily Mass, a Saturday Vigil, First Friday and First Saturday devotions, Adoration and Benediction, and Stations of the Cross in Lent), the bilingual Outreach Ministry's food pantry and votive-candle program, and community events like the annual Oktoberfest and the 50+ Club's dinner-dances. If you live in or are visiting Julian, Santa Ysabel, Wynola, or the Laguna mountains, this is the parish that gathers you in.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Friday at 6:00 PM (precedes the 7:00 PM First Friday Mass; not held during Lent)
- First Saturday before Mass
- Saturday 4:30 PM (per parish directory listings)
Adoration times
- First Friday at 6:00 PM (Benediction and Adoration preceding the 7:00 PM Mass; not held during Lent)
About St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church is a small mountain parish in Julian, California, established May 26, 1949 by Bishop Charles Francis Buddy of the Diocese of San Diego. It serves Julian, Santa Ysabel, and the surrounding San Diego backcountry. The parish offers a full schedule of weekend and weekday Masses, traditional Marian and Eucharistic devotions, religious education for children and adults, and an active bilingual Outreach Ministry.
- Founded: May 26, 1949
- Diocese: San Diego (Escondido Deanery)
- Patron: St. Elizabeth of Hungary (Feast: November 17)
- Pastor: Fr. Roldan 'Dan' Nuñez (since July 1, 2024)
Parish History
The parish was founded in 1949 by Bishop Charles Francis Buddy with Fr. Francis Lobell as the first pastor. Through the post-war decades a series of priests built up the community, and two of them are memorialized in the buildings that bear their names: Fr. Francis Lobell (Lobell Hall) and Fr. John Wheeler (Wheeler Center). The parish celebrated its 75th Diamond Jubilee on November 17, 2024 with Bishop Michael Pham.
- 75th Diamond Jubilee celebrated November 17, 2024
- Stained-glass windows honor early Julian families
- Long tenures: Fr. Vincent Treacy (1972–81), Fr. Donal Walsh (1989–2003)
Pastor & Staff
Fr. Roldan 'Dan' Nuñez was appointed pastor on July 1, 2024. He was born and raised in Mindanao, Philippines; entered St. Peter's College Seminary at age 16; was ordained April 7, 1992; and served 25 years in his home diocese before arriving in San Diego in 2016 as Associate Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Vista. In February 2024 he was incardinated into the Diocese of San Diego, and was then promoted to Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and the Santa Ysabel Indian Mission.
- Fr. Roldan 'Dan' Nuñez — Pastor ([email protected])
- Ann Reilly Cole — Parish Office Manager ([email protected])
- Suzanne Fay — Parish Bookkeeper
- Kelly Little — Religious Education
Mass & Devotions Schedule
The parish follows a traditional full weekly schedule with weekday morning Mass Tuesday through Friday, a Saturday Vigil, and a Sunday Mass, plus First Friday and First Saturday devotions.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM
- Tue–Fri: 8:15 AM (no Mass Mon; no morning Mass on 1st Fridays)
- 1st Friday Mass 7:00 PM, preceded by 6:00 PM Adoration, Benediction and Confession (not during Lent)
- 1st Saturday Rosary 8:30 AM, Mass 9:00 AM (confession available before Mass)
- Holy Days of Obligation: 7:00 PM
- Stations of the Cross: Fridays in Lent at 6:00 PM
Sacraments
Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals, and Anointing of the Sick are arranged by calling the Parish Secretary. First Communion is received through the CCD program, and Confirmation is prepared in the 7th-grade-and-up program with an annual retreat at Whispering Winds Catholic Conference Center.
- Baptism — call the Parish Secretary
- First Communion — through CCD
- Confirmation — retreat at Whispering Winds
- Marriage — call the Parish Secretary
- Anointing of the Sick — call the Parish Secretary
- Funerals — call the Parish Secretary
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education program (CCD) serves children in grades K–7, with Confirmation preparation for 7th grade and up. Classes are held on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sundays of each month at 9:00 AM. K–6th graders meet in Lobell Hall; 7th-grade and Confirmation students meet in the Wheeler Center. Families may choose in-person classes or home study with parents. An Adult Religious Education class is also available — call the parish office for information.
- CCD K–7 — 1st/2nd/3rd Sundays at 9:00 AM in Lobell Hall
- Confirmation (7th+) — same Sundays in Wheeler Center
- Annual Confirmation retreat at Whispering Winds
- Adult Religious Education available on request
Outreach Ministry
The bilingual (English/Spanish) Outreach Ministry serves both parishioners and the wider Julian community. It operates a Canned Food Pantry at the church entrance — 'Share what you can, Take what you need' — and each year partners with Whispering Winds Catholic Conference Center to distribute Christmas toys and gift cards. The ministry also takes orders for 8-day votive candles placed near the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on the right side of the altar, with the recipient's name displayed while the candle burns.
- Canned Food Pantry at the church entrance
- Christmas Toy Give-Away with Whispering Winds
- 8-day votive candles at Our Lady of Perpetual Help ($10)
- Bilingual EN/ES announcements
50+ Club & Community Events
The 50+ Club is a parish social organization for older parishioners and friends, hosting an annual St. Patrick's Day dinner-dance, an annual Rummage Sale, and other gatherings throughout the year. It is one of the liveliest fellowship groups in the parish.
- Annual St. Patrick's Day dinner-dance
- Annual Rummage Sale fundraiser
- Hosts the parish Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest Annual Fundraiser
Each fall St. Elizabeth of Hungary hosts its Oktoberfest at Julian Town Hall and Julian Town Square (2129 Main St.) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The day features live music, food, local beer on tap, craft vendors, kids' activities, and both silent and live auctions (often including Lake Cuyamaca cabin rentals). New in recent years was a 'Sip and Paint a Madonna and Child Icon' workshop led by parish artist Ann Reilly Cole.
- Held at Julian Town Hall / Town Square, 2129 Main St.
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., free admission
- Live & silent auctions, kids' activities
- 'Sip and Paint a Madonna and Child Icon' workshop
Buildings & Memorials
The parish campus includes the historic church with its stained-glass memorial windows, a working bell tower with carillon (currently being repaired), Lobell Hall (named for founding pastor Fr. Francis Lobell), the Wheeler Center (named for Fr. John Wheeler), and a patio used for parish meals and gatherings. The church is wheelchair accessible, with a ramp at the main entrance where parishioners are asked to assist anyone who needs help.
- Stained-glass windows — Holy Eucharist, Holy Spirit, Good Shepherd, St. John Vianney, Assumption, Holy Family, St. Clare, St. Francis, St. Elizabeth
- Lobell Hall & Wheeler Center
- Working bell tower and carillon under repair
- Wheelchair-accessible ramp
Bell Tower Repair Campaign
The parish has been raising funds to repair its beautiful sounding bell tower. As of recent reporting the campaign had reached $42,609 of its $60,000 goal. Donations are being accepted to complete the work.
- Campaign goal: $60,000
- Recent total: $42,609
- Funds the repair of the historic carillon
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The Parish Office is open Monday–Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For sacraments, funerals, or urgent pastoral needs, call the office at 760-765-0613. In an emergency outside of office hours — including a death or imminent death — call the same number and leave contact information so the priest can return your call.
- Office: 760-765-0613
- [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Wed 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Urgent line: 760-765-0613 (leave a message)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis Lobell1949–1953
Founding pastor; commemorated in the name 'Lobell Hall'.
- Fr. William Cooney1953–1954
- Fr. Dennis Mangan1954–1959
- Fr. Charles Young1959–1960
- Fr. Thomas Byrnes1960–1961
- Fr. Lawrence Geoghan1961–1962
- Fr. Patrick Fox1962–1963
- Fr. William Mooney1963–1964
- Fr. John Desmond1965–1967
- Fr. John Campion1967–1968
- Fr. Carl Kullmann1968–1971
- Fr. Dominic Pazzagliz1971–1972
- Fr. Vincent Treacy1972–1981
- Fr. John Wheeler1981–1989
Commemorated in the 'Wheeler Center'.
- Fr. Donal Walsh1989–2003
- Fr. William Stevenson2003–2005
- Fr. Anthony May2005–2008
- Fr. Cecilio T. Moraga2008–2015
- Fr. Alfredo Heyrosa2015
- Fr. Eugene Santa Ana2016
- Dcn. Fred Thornton2016–2017
Administrator.
- Fr. William Kernan2017–2021
Administrator 2017–2018, then Pastor 2018–2021.
- Fr. Timothy Deutsch2021–2024
- Fr. Roldan 'Dan' Nuñez2024–present
Appointed July 1, 2024; also serves the Santa Ysabel Indian Mission.