About St. Jarlath · Oakland, California
St. Jarlath Catholic Church is a Capuchin Franciscan parish in the Dimond/Fruitvale area of Oakland, California, at 2620 Pleasant Street. Founded in 1910 by Irish-born Father Patrick M. McHugh, it has served a diverse, multilingual community for over a century — today offering Mass in English, Spanish, and (monthly) French to roughly 1,000 registered households. Since August 1, 2022 the parish has been in the pastoral care of the Capuchin Franciscans of the Western America Province of Our Lady of Angels — the first diocesan parish in Oakland ever entrusted to the order.
- Established
- 1910
- Patron
- Saint Jarlath (Jarlath of Tuam)
- Rector
- Father Simon Mbuthi, OFM Cap (effective October 2025)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Oakland
Why belong here
St. Jarlath is a trilingual, Capuchin Franciscan parish where Mass is celebrated in English, Spanish, and (one Sunday a month) French — a natural fit for Oakland's diverse Fruitvale and Dimond neighborhoods. Daily Mass, weekly confession in three time-slots, all-day Tuesday adoration and all-night First Friday adoration, plus a vibrant RCIA, Children's Faith Formation, Confirmation, Cursillo Movement, Knights of Columbus, Music Ministry, and Ministries of Mercy make it easy to find a way to belong. The 1954 church, with its 88 stained glass windows, is widely considered one of the most beautiful in the Bay Area.
Mass times at St. Jarlath
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
- Friday 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
- Saturday 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
- Anytime by request to a priest in person or via the Parish Office (510) 532-2068
Adoration times
- Tuesday 8:00 AM – 6:15 PM
- Friday 8:00 AM – 6:15 PM
- First Friday of the month, all-night Adoration 7:15 PM – 7:45 AM (Friday/Saturday)
Our Story & History
St. Jarlath was founded on March 10, 1910 by Rev. Patrick M. McHugh, an Irish priest from the Diocese of Tuam. With no land or parish house to start, he built the first shingle church at Fruitvale and Montana, which opened for Mass on Christmas Eve, 1910. Archbishop Patrick W. Riordan formally consecrated the parish on May 11, 1911. Father McHugh shepherded the community for 45 years and opened the parish school in 1930. In 2022 Bishop Michael Barber, SJ, entrusted St. Jarlath to the Capuchin Franciscans of the Western America Province of Our Lady of Angels — the first diocesan parish in Oakland ever run by the order.
- Founded March 10, 1910; first Mass Christmas Eve 1910
- Consecrated by Archbishop Patrick W. Riordan on May 11, 1911
- Founding pastor Rev. Patrick M. McHugh served 45 years
- Current (1954) church dedicated September 25, 1954
- Capuchin Franciscan pastoral care began August 1, 2022
The Name: Saint Jarlath of Tuam
Saint Jarlath was a contemporary of St. Patrick and is venerated as the founder of the Diocese of Tuam in Connaught, Ireland. According to tradition he was consecrated a bishop without a see, then told by prophecy to found his diocese at the spot where the wheel of his carriage broke — a story the parish invokes as its emblem 'The Broken Wheel,' a symbol of being broken and blessed for mission.
- Contemporary of St. Patrick
- Founder of the Diocese of Tuam, Connaught
- Feast day: June 6
- 'The Broken Wheel' is the parish's devotional image
Architecture & Stained Glass
The present church, dedicated September 25, 1954, was designed by San Francisco architects Paul A. Ryan and John Michael Lee and built by Carrico and Gautier as a steel-reinforced concrete structure faced in brick to harmonize with the 1930 school. Landscaping was designed by J. Vendes Mann of Oakland. Between 1953 and 1964 the Carl Huneke Century Stained Glass Studio created and installed 88 stained glass windows — the feature for which the church is best known and which the studio calls one of the most beautiful church interiors in the Bay Area.
- Architects: Paul A. Ryan and John Michael Lee (San Francisco)
- General contractors: Carrico and Gautier
- Landscape design: J. Vendes Mann of Oakland
- Stained glass: 88 windows by Carl Huneke Century Stained Glass Studio (1953–1964)
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by Capuchin Franciscan friars and a lay staff. Father Simon Mbuthi, OFM Cap, was appointed pastor effective October 2025, and Father Michael Ronayne, OFM Cap, serves as parochial vicar / associate pastor. The friary is staffed by Brother Austin, OFM Cap. Raquel Vasquez coordinates Faith Formation and assists in the office; Joseph Williams coordinates RCIA; Elizabeth Delgadillo and Popoy Fulgueras (Music Ministry) round out the team.
- Pastor: Fr. Simon Mbuthi, OFM Cap
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Michael Ronayne, OFM Cap
- Friary: Br. Austin, OFM Cap
- Faith Formation: Raquel Vasquez
- RCIA: Joseph Williams (541-0504, [email protected])
- Music Ministry: Popoy Fulgueras ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full sacramental formation program for children and adults, including Children's Faith Formation, Confirmation preparation (English and Spanish, with registration in Spring and Fall), and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for those discerning entry into the Catholic Church. RCIA classes are coordinated by Joseph Williams.
- Children's Faith Formation — Raquel Vasquez
- Confirmation (English & Spanish) — Spring/Fall registration
- RCIA — Joseph Williams, 541-0504
Sacraments
St. Jarlath prepares parishioners for Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, and Marriage, and offers ongoing Pastoral Care of the Sick. Baptism preparation classes for parents and godparents are held in Spanish on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM (a $10 per-person fee applies).
- Baptism prep in Spanish — 1st Tuesday, 7:30 PM
- Confirmation preparation — classes and retreats
- Marriage — by appointment with the Parish Office
- Pastoral Care of the Sick — by request
Parish Ministries & Community Life
The parish invites parishioners to 'Believe, Belong, and Bless' through a wide range of lay groups. Ministries of Mercy organize charitable outreach; the Knights of Columbus welcome Catholic men 18 and over; the Cursillo Movement runs weekly formation; and the Music Ministry leads worship. The parish also maintains an annual calendar of celebrations and devotional events.
- Ministries of Mercy (outreach)
- Knights of Columbus — Catholic men 18+
- Cursillo Movement — Wed School of Leaders 7–9 PM; 3rd Wed Ultreya 7–9 PM; Tue Apostolic Hour 5 PM
- Music Ministry — Popoy Fulgueras
- Pastoral Care of the Sick
Newcomers & Becoming Catholic
St. Jarlath welcomes inquirers through a structured RCIA journey. Those interested in becoming Catholic journey through stages of formation — learning Catholic teaching, prayer, discernment — and are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Fully initiated Catholics in good standing are invited to serve as RCIA sponsors.
- RCIA contact: Joseph Williams, 541-0504, [email protected]
- Easter Vigil reception for catechumens
- Sponsorship opportunities for Catholic parishioners
Visiting & Contact
St. Jarlath Catholic Church is located at 2620 Pleasant Street, Oakland, California 94602, on the edge of the Dimond District a mile from the Fruitvale District's International Boulevard. The Parish Office can be reached at (510) 532-2068 or [email protected]. Parishioners include about 1,032 registered households representing roughly 10 nationalities, with a large Latino community.
- Address: 2620 Pleasant Street, Oakland, CA 94602
- Phone: (510) 532-2068
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://saintjarlath.org/
- 1,032 registered households / ~3,096 individuals
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick M. McHugh1910–c.1955
Founding pastor; native of Tuam Diocese, Ireland; served 45 years; built the first church (1910) and opened the parish school (1930).
- Father Enrique Ballesterospre-2022
Diocesan priest who was St. Jarlath's pastor immediately before the Capuchin takeover.
- Father Hai Ho, OFM CapAugust 2022–c.2025
First Capuchin pastor; former chaplain of Saint Mary's College, Moraga; launched the 'Believe, Belong, and Bless' parish vision.
- Father Lijoy Jose, OFM Capc.2025
Listed on the parish website during the Capuchin transition.
- Father Simon Mbuthi, OFM CapOctober 2025–present
Appointed pastor by Bishop Barber, effective October 2025.