About St. James · Solana Beach, California
St. James – St. Leo is a Catholic parish community in Solana Beach, California, in the Diocese of San Diego. The parish is composed of two worship sites: St. James Church at 625 S. Nardo Avenue (the parish church) and St. Leo Mission at 936 Genevieve Street. Staffed by the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists, CJM), the community proclaims its mission in three parts: to Love God, Proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, and Serve all God's people. The parish offers weekday Masses, three Sunday Masses at St. James, two Sunday Masses at St. Leo, and ministries in faith formation, youth, music, and outreach.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- St. James the Apostle (parish name)
- Rector
- Fr. Ricardo Chinchilla, CJM
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
St. James – St. Leo is a bilingual, Eudist-staffed parish that welcomes Catholics from across coastal North County San Diego. Whether you prefer the main church on Nardo Avenue or the smaller St. Leo Mission on Genevieve Street, you'll find daily and weekend Masses, sacramental Reconciliation by appointment, a strong music ministry, faith formation for children and youth, Confirmation preparation with an annual retreat at Whispering Winds Catholic Camp, and adult formation through RCIA. The community lives out its three-fold mission to Love God, Proclaim the Good News, and Serve all God's people — making it an accessible parish for English- and Spanish-speaking families.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment only — call (858) 755-2545 or speak to the pastor or associate pastor
Parish Identity & Mission
St. James – St. Leo Catholic Community is a single Catholic parish in Solana Beach, California, that worships at two sites: St. James Church on Nardo Avenue (the main parish church and office) and St. Leo Mission on Genevieve Street. The community is staffed by the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists, CJM) and lives out a simple three-part mission: to Love God, to Proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, and to Serve all God's people. The parish falls within the Diocese of San Diego.
- Diocese of San Diego
- Eudist Fathers (CJM)
- Two worship sites: St. James Church and St. Leo Mission
History
GCatholic records that St. James parish was established in 1911 in the coastal community that is now Solana Beach. The parish today is served by Eudist priests, and the Most Rev. Michael Pham has overseen recent pastoral assignments there. In 2011, Fr. George Perez, CJM, joined St. James–St. Leo as a seminarian and later became associate pastor; in 2025 Bishop Pham assigned him as Pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Carlsbad. The associate pastor role at St. James–St. Leo was filled at the same time by Fr. Azam Mansha, CJM.
- Parish established 1911 (per GCatholic)
- Fr. George Perez, CJM, arrived 2011 as seminarian
- Fr. Ron Bagley, CJM, retired canonically at age 75 in 2025
St. Leo Mission
St. Leo Mission, at 936 Genevieve Street in Solana Beach, is the parish's second worship site and is also entrusted to the Eudists. It hosts two Sunday Masses, at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM, and can be reached at (858) 481-6788.
- 936 Genevieve St., Solana Beach, CA 92075
- Phone (858) 481-6788
- Sunday Masses 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Ricardo Chinchilla, CJM, as pastor (he ministers in Spanish and French). Fr. Azam Mansha, CJM, joined as associate pastor effective September 1, 2025. Fr. Gerard Lecomte, CJM, serves as Priest in Residence and offers his ministry in Spanish. Deacon Michael Cihak assists at the parish. Lay staff include parish secretary Susan Netzley, Director of Music Ministry VJ Brion, Music Coordinator Julianna Schmidt, two Youth Ministers (Gennie Holston and Sheyla Tellez), and Blanca Rodriguez, Director of Religious Education in Spanish.
- Fr. Ricardo Chinchilla, CJM – Pastor (español, français)
- Fr. Azam Mansha, CJM – Associate Pastor
- Fr. Gerard Lecomte, CJM – Priest in Residence (español)
- Deacon Michael Cihak
- Susan Netzley – Parish Secretary
- VJ Brion – Director of Music Ministry
- Julianna Schmidt – Music Coordinator
- Gennie Holston & Sheyla Tellez – Youth Ministers
- Blanca Rodriguez – Director of Religious Education, Spanish
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is offered for both children and adults. Children's faith formation and a Spanish-language Religious Education program under Blanca Rodriguez serve parish families. Adult initiation is through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. The parish also maintains Young Adult and Adult Communities for ongoing formation.
- Faith Formation for Children
- Spanish Religious Education (Blanca Rodriguez)
- RCIA – Adult Faith Formation
- Young Adult and Adult Communities
Youth Ministry & Confirmation
Youth Ministry at St. James–St. Leo offers formative, social, and service opportunities for junior and senior high school students, and is staffed by Youth Ministers Gennie Holston and Sheyla Tellez. The Confirmation preparation includes an annual spring weekend retreat at Whispering Winds Catholic Camp in the Cuyamaca mountains — a $320 per-teen weekend with two nights' accommodation, meals, bus transportation, live music, engaging speakers, prayer and worship, adoration, and activities. A matching donor supports up to $2,000 in scholarship contributions to keep the retreat accessible.
- High School and Confirmation
- Youth Ministry Contacts: Gennie Holston & Sheyla Tellez
- Confirmation Retreat at Whispering Winds Catholic Camp
- $320 per teen, scholarships available, up to $2,000 match
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry is led by VJ Brion, Director of Music Ministry, supported by Julianna Schmidt as Music Coordinator. The parish livestreams and records the Sunday 9:00 AM Mass, allowing homebound parishioners to participate.
- VJ Brion – Director of Music Ministry
- Julianna Schmidt – Music Coordinator
- 9 AM Sunday Mass livestreamed and recorded
Parish Life, Giving & Contact
The parish supports its ministry through online giving, periodic fundraisers such as parish Bingo, and pastoral notes from the pastor. The main parish office is at 625 S. Nardo Avenue, Solana Beach, CA 92075, phone (858) 755-2545. St. Leo Mission's office is at 936 Genevieve Street, Solana Beach, CA 92075, phone (858) 481-6788.
- Online Giving
- Bingo fundraiser
- Parish Office: 625 S. Nardo Ave., Solana Beach, CA 92075 — (858) 755-2545
- St. Leo Mission: 936 Genevieve St., Solana Beach, CA 92075 — (858) 481-6788
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ricardo Chinchilla, CJMCurrent (2025)
Pastor; ministry in Spanish and French
- Fr. George Perez, CJMSeminarian 2011; Associate Pastor ~2021–2025
Served under Fr. Gerard and Fr. Ricardo; assigned Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Carlsbad, effective September 1, 2025
- Fr. Ron Bagley, CJM
Canonically retired at age 75 in 2025