About St. Eugene's Cathedral · Santa Rosa, California
St. Eugene's Cathedral is the mother church and seat of the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Santa Rosa in California, serving as the cathedral church for the Roman Catholic faithful of California's North Coast region. Located at 2323 Montgomery Drive in Santa Rosa, the parish was established on July 1, 1950 and dedicated on November 25, 1951, before being designated a cathedral on February 20, 1962 when Pope John XXIII erected the Diocese of Santa Rosa from a portion of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Today the parish is home to more than 4,300 registered members across roughly 1,700 families, offering Mass in both English and Spanish, a parish school, perpetual adoration, faith formation for all ages, and outreach to the poor through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The modern-style church sits on land historically significant as the site of an 1829 adobe Spanish mission—the first building in the valley—and adjacent to the Carrillo Adobe ruins.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- St. Eugene I (Pope, 654–657)
- Rector
- Rev. Moses Brown
- Diocese
- Diocese of Santa Rosa in California
Why belong here
St. Eugene's offers a rare combination of large-parish vitality and cathedral-level liturgical richness. The 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass is livestreamed on the parish's YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person, and worship is offered in both English and Spanish. A Perpetual Adoration Chapel allows 24/7 prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, with committed adorers scheduling weekly hours. Families benefit from the on-site parish school (opened 1953), faith formation for children and youth, the Holy Family Homeschool Cooperative, the Little Flowers Girls Club, the Troops of St. George for boys, and the Our Lady of Grace Sodality for teen girls. Outreach flows through the parish St. Vincent de Paul conference, the Cathedral Books & Gifts shop, and the Cathedral Thrift Shop, while adult formation includes OCIA, Bible Study, Women of the Word, the Legion of Mary, the Knights of Columbus (Santa Rosa Council), and the Italian Catholic Federation.
Mass times at St. Eugene's Cathedral
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–4:30 p.m. (or by appointment)
- First Saturday of the month: starting at the beginning of the 8 a.m. Mass
- Sundays: no regular schedule; dependent on priests' availability (during the first part of Mass)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration, 24 hours a day (passcode required; contact Annette 707-542-3635 for English or Ceci Guzman 707-571-9673 for Spanish)
Parish History & Origins
St. Eugene's Parish was established on July 1, 1950 by Archbishop John J. Mitty of San Francisco and organized by its founding pastor, the Reverend Erwin J. Becker. The church was dedicated on November 25, 1951, on land with deep roots in California's Catholic and civic history. The parish was raised to cathedral status on February 20, 1962 when Pope John XXIII erected the Diocese of Santa Rosa by splitting it from the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
- Parish established July 1, 1950
- Church dedicated November 25, 1951
- Parish school opened 1953
- Designated a cathedral February 20, 1962
- Founded by Rev. Erwin J. Becker
The Name 'St. Eugene'
According to parish tradition, the church was originally planned to be named 'Our Lady of Lourdes,' and a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes still crowns the roof over the main entrance. The plan changed after World War II, when the surge of gratitude toward Pope Pius XII (born Eugenio Pacelli) led the people of the Archdiocese to name the new Santa Rosa church 'Eugene'—both for the pope and for Pope Eugene I (654–657), after whom the parish is officially named.
- Originally planned as 'Our Lady of Lourdes'
- Named to honor Pope Pius XII (Eugenio)
- Also references Pope Eugene I (654–657)
- Our Lady of Lourdes statue still on the entrance roof
The Cathedral Site: Mission, Adobe, and the Name 'Santa Rosa'
Native Americans lived along the creek that runs past the cathedral long before Europeans arrived. The Spanish established a mission on the site around 1829 and built an adobe—the first building in the Santa Rosa valley. In the late 1830s Spanish authorities deeded the land, including the abandoned adobe, to Señora María Ignacia López de Carrillo, who converted it into her home; in the early 1850s part of the adobe was used as a store. The Carrillo Adobe still stands adjacent to the parish today, slated to become a city park.
- 1829 Spanish adobe mission — first building in the valley
- Legend of Fr. Juan Amorosa baptizing a Native American girl in the creek on the Feast of Santa Rosa de Lima
- Carrillo Adobe ruins adjacent to parish
- City of Santa Rosa incorporated 1868
Clergy & Staff
St. Eugene's is served by a team of priests and deacons led by Pastor Reverend Moses Brown. The parochial vicars are Reverend Bala Putchakayala and Reverend Anil Yesupogu, with Reverend Jeffrey Keyes in residence. The pastoral team includes three deacons: Michael Heinzelman, Gary Moore, and Russ Bowden.
- Rev. Moses Brown — Pastor
- Rev. Bala Putchakayala — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Anil Yesupogu — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Jeffrey Keyes — In Residence
- Deacon Michael Heinzelman
- Deacon Gary Moore
- Deacon Russ Bowden
Liturgical Ministries
Acolytes and altar servers (adults and children) assist the clergy at Mass, while lectors proclaim the scriptures, ushers assist with seating and collections, and extraordinary ministers of holy communion take the Eucharist to sick and homebound parishioners. The Cathedral Choir provides music every other Sunday at the 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Masses and for many special Masses; try-outs are required. The Altar Society cares for altar linens, vestments, flowers, and helps with church cleaning and decorating for liturgical events.
- Acolytes and Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Cathedral Choir (auditions required)
- Altar Society
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Eugene's spans the whole life span. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) meets every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the Hope Room. Reconciliation and First Communion teachers prepare children during weekly classes throughout the school year. The parish school (opened 1953) hosts a 9:20 a.m. school Mass during the school year, and the St. Eugene Homeschool Academy (SEHA) meets M/W/F 8:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Parish school (opened 1953)
- St. Eugene Homeschool Academy (SEHA)
- Reconciliation & First Communion Teachers
- Confirmation preparation
Youth & Family Ministries
St. Eugene's offers a robust set of programs for children, teens, and families. The Our Lady of Grace Sodality brings together girls aged 13–18 for prayer and study 'through Mary' on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays. Little Flowers Girls Club is for girls in grades K–4 (3rd Saturdays). Troops of St. George is for boys in grades K–6 (2nd Sundays). The Holy Family Homeschool Cooperative supports Catholic families raising their children in the faith, rooted in parish life at the cathedral.
- Our Lady of Grace Sodality (girls 13–18)
- Little Flowers Girls Club (K–4)
- Troops of St. George (boys K–6)
- Holy Family Homeschool Cooperative
Adult Faith & Spiritual Life
Adults at St. Eugene's can grow in faith through a variety of ongoing groups. Women of the Word meets Tuesday mornings 9:00–11:00 a.m. for scripture study. A weekly Bible Study meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the PLC Hope Room. The Legion of Mary meets Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 p.m., with a Spanish Legion of Mary on Mondays 7:00–9:00 p.m. The Prayer Network prays privately for those who contact the parish with special requests. Golden Opportunities provides fellowship, programs, and lunch for retired and semi-retired parishioners on the third Thursday of each month.
- Women of the Word (Tuesdays)
- Weekly Bible Study (Wednesdays)
- Legion of Mary (Wednesdays)
- Spanish Legion of Mary (Mondays)
- Prayer Network
- Golden Opportunities (seniors)
Service & Outreach
The parish lives its mission of service through several ministries. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Eugene's provides food services to those in need on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12:00–2:00 p.m. The Cathedral Books & Gifts shop and the Cathedral Thrift Shop are staffed by volunteers and raise money for the parish. The Adoration Committee schedules committed adorers for the Perpetual Adoration Chapel and cleans the chapel. The Coffee Social Hospitality Committee serves coffee and donuts after Sunday morning Masses.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference (Tues & Wed 12–2 p.m., 707-584-1579)
- Cathedral Books & Gifts shop
- Cathedral Thrift Shop
- Adoration Committee
- Coffee Social Hospitality Committee
- Respect Life Committee
Fraternal & Community Organizations
Several fraternal and community organizations call St. Eugene's home. The Italian Catholic Federation meets on the first Monday of each month from 6:30–9:00 p.m. The Knights of Columbus Santa Rosa Council (formed by the merger of the St. Eugene's and St. Rose councils) meets on the second Wednesday of the month at St. Rose Parish. Soldiers of Christ – Men's Fraternity is a brotherhood of Catholic men that meets Thursdays 6:30–7:30 p.m., guided by a 'Rule of 7.' Cursillo offers a nondenominational short course in Christianity through a three-day weekend retreat.
- Italian Catholic Federation
- Knights of Columbus – Santa Rosa Council
- Soldiers of Christ – Men's Fraternity
- Cursillo
Devotions & Special Prayer
Beyond the Mass schedule, the cathedral hosts regular devotions. The International Rosary Crusade gathers at the Our Lady of Fatima Grotto on Wednesdays from 6:00–6:30 p.m. The Holy Hour of Reparation is held at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Grotto on the last Monday of each month from 1:00–2:00 p.m. Perpetual Adoration is available in the chapel across the parking lot, with committed adorers filling every hour of every day.
- International Rosary Crusade – Wednesdays 6:00–6:30 p.m. (Our Lady of Fatima Grotto)
- Holy Hour of Reparation – last Mondays 1:00–2:00 p.m. (Our Lady of Guadalupe Grotto)
- Perpetual Adoration – 24/7
Sacraments
St. Eugene's celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. The cathedral's baptistry vestibule contains a stained-glass window depicting the 1829 baptism of Saint Rose by Father Juan Amorosa. First Communion and Reconciliation are prepared for in weekly classes during the school year. Confirmation preparation is offered through the parish and the Diocese of Santa Rosa. Couples prepare for Matrimony with the help of the parish clergy, and the Anointing of the Sick is available to those in need. The parish actively nurtures vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life as part of its stated vision.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- First Holy Communion
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders / Vocations
Visiting, Directions & Contact
St. Eugene's Cathedral is located at 2323 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95405, on the north side of Montgomery Drive at the corner of Farmers Lane. From US 101, take CA-12 East toward Sonoma, exit Farmers Lane, turn left on Farmers Lane and right on Montgomery Drive. Parish office hours are Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed major holidays); phone (707) 542-6984; fax (707) 542-1621; email [email protected]. For life-threatening emergencies after hours, call (707) 987-6167. The on-site Cathedral Books & Gifts shop and Cathedral Thrift Shop are great places to visit, and the historic Carrillo Adobe ruins stand adjacent to the parish grounds.
- Address: 2323 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95405
- Phone: (707) 542-6984
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tue–Fri 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- After-hours emergency: (707) 987-6167
- Directions from US 101 via CA-12 East / Farmers Lane
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Erwin J. Becker1950–
Founded and organized St. Eugene's Parish on July 1, 1950; oversaw the dedication of the new church on November 25, 1951. The Parish Life Center youth room is named the 'Msgr. Becker Center' in his honor.
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