St. Jerome

About St. Jerome Catholic Church

St. Jerome is a parish of the Diocese of Oakland (Roman-Latin rite), located at 308 Carmel Avenue on the corner of Carmel Avenue and Curry Avenue in El Cerrito, California. The parish serves Kensington and portions of El Cerrito, Berkeley, and Albany, drawing families from the hillside neighborhoods east of Interstate 80 and north of Berkeley. Founded in 1941, it has an established, stable congregation and is home to a Saint Vincent de Paul conference, a music ministry at every weekend Mass, and a year-round Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for those exploring Catholicism or returning to the faith.

• Founded 1941 by Monsignor James J. Rohan
• Parish of the Diocese of Oakland (Roman-Latin rite)
• Serves Kensington, El Cerrito, Berkeley, and Albany

History of St. Jerome Parish

The idea of a new Catholic parish for El Cerrito was first studied in 1937. St. Jerome was officially established on June 21, 1941, with Fr. James J. Rohan as pastor; the first Mass was offered just one month later, on July 20, 1941, in a private home. Construction on a permanent church began in the fall of 1941. The building was designed by architect Martin J. Rist of San Francisco and built by Moore and Roberts, and was formally dedicated on June 7, 1942. The parish grew rapidly during the post-WWII boom and, in 1955, Monsignor Rohan welcomed five Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary to staff a new parish school, which opened that September with 160 students in grades 1–4 and expanded to K–8 over the following decades.

• 1937 — concept for the parish first studied
• June 21, 1941 — parish established; Fr. James J. Rohan founding pastor
• July 20, 1941 — first Mass said in a private home
• Fall 1941 — construction of the church begins
• June 7, 1942 — church dedicated
• August 21, 1955 — five Sisters of the Sacred Hearts welcomed
• September 1955 — St. Jerome Catholic School opens (grades 1–4, 160 students)
• 1982 — kindergarten added; 1985 — Red Balloon Extended Day Care launched
• 1992 — 'Commemorative History of St. Jerome Church and Its Times' published

St. Jerome Catholic School

St. Jerome Catholic School is a parish-affiliated K–8 school founded in 1955 by Monsignor Rohan through the parish. It opened with grades 1–4 and 160 students under the leadership of five Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and grew to span grades 1–8 by 1959. The school added kindergarten in 1982 and the Red Balloon Extended Day Care Program in 1985. Its mission, rooted in the Diocese of Oakland's Catholic-school vision, educates children in the Catholic faith and nurtures mind, body, and soul — inspiring students to live the Gospel, reach their full academic and creative potential, and serve their community.

• Kindergarten through 8th grade parish school
• Founded 1955; Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary original staff
• Red Balloon Extended Day Care Program (since 1985)

Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation

St. Jerome supports families and children through Children/Family Catechesis, which combines weekly children's classes with whole-family gatherings during Advent and Lent. A separate track prepares children/youth for the sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, and First Eucharist, with individual family meetings, weekly classes, and monthly family meetings. The pastor celebrates a monthly Mass that recognizes children and family in the parish community. The parish also runs a youth Confirmation program for baptized Catholic students entering freshman year of high school, taught every other year and culminating in the spring. For adults, the year-round RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) welcomes those interested in learning about Catholicism or becoming Catholic.

• Director of Children's Catechesis: Elizabeth Oishi
• Resource texts: Finding God (Loyola Press); Blessed (Dynamic Catholic); God's Gift (Loyola Press); Growing Up Catholic (Pastoral Center)
• Youth Confirmation: every other year; classes biweekly Sundays 4:00–6:00 PM
• Confirmation contact: Carol DuPont
• RCIA — year-round process for adults

Music Ministry

Music ministry is offered at all weekend Masses at St. Jerome, drawing musicians and singers from the parish community to enhance worship. (The parish website lists a music ministry but does not publish detailed contact information or audition details in the content available.)

St. Vincent de Paul Conference

St. Jerome's St. Vincent de Paul Conference is an entirely volunteer-run outreach that operates a food pantry out of the parish at 308 Carmel Avenue, open every Wednesday from 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM. Gently used clothing and small household items are also distributed during those hours, with a limit of three clothing items per visitor. The conference asks neighbors in need to review other resources first; if further help is required, calls (510-809-5377) and emails ([email protected]) are answered. Utility-bill assistance requests must include a copy of the current bill and an explanation.

• Food pantry: Wednesdays, 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
• Phone: 510-809-5377
• Email: [email protected]
• Clothing/household items available in limited quantities

Parish Staff & Leadership

St. Jerome is currently led by Father Michael Nghia Pham, who serves as Parochial Administrator. Father Michael arrived in the U.S. from Vietnam in 2003 and began studies for the Diocese of Oakland, completing Philosophy at Mount Angel Seminary (2006–2009) and Theology at St. Patrick's Seminary (2009–2014). He was ordained by Bishop Michael Barber in May 2014. His first assignment was the Catholic Community of Pleasanton (2014–2017), followed by St. Joseph in Fremont/Mission San Jose (2017–2019) and St. Anthony / Mary Help of Christians in Oakland (2019–2021) before being assigned to St. Jerome. Elizabeth Oishi serves as Director of Children's Catechesis and Carol DuPont coordinates Youth Confirmation, both reachable through the parish office at 510-525-0876.

• Father Michael Nghia Pham — Parochial Administrator
• Elizabeth Oishi — Director of Children's Catechesis
• Carol DuPont — Youth Confirmation Coordinator

Visit & Contact

Parishioners and visitors can reach the office by phone (510-525-0876) or fax (510-526-2721), or by email at [email protected]. The parish offices are located on the ground floor of the Rectory at 308 Carmel Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530. From Interstate 80, take the Central Avenue exit and head east (toward the hills) to the end of Central Avenue, then turn right on Ashbury, left on Fairmount, and right at the next stoplight onto Carmel Avenue — the church is at the corner of Carmel Avenue and Curry Avenue. The parish encourages newcomers to attend Mass and join in worship, social, and service activities.

• Parish Office: 510-525-0876
• Fax: 510-526-2721
• Email: [email protected]
• Office located on the ground floor of the Rectory