About St. John the Baptist · Chico, California
St. John the Baptist is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Chico, California, in the Diocese of Sacramento (Butte County, Sutter Buttes Deanery). Officially established in 1878, the parish is among the oldest Catholic communities in the Sacramento Valley and counts among its ministries Notre Dame School (founded 1928), a K-8 Catholic elementary school, and the St. James Mission in Durham. The parish ministers to a bilingual English and Spanish community, celebrating Mass in both languages daily, and offers a robust Faith Formation program, Youth Ministry (grades 7-12), the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), and a 24-hour Adoration Chapel (the Holy Family Adoration Chapel). The current church building, completed in 1908 and dedicated in May 1910, is noted for its Italian-made stained glass windows.
- Established
- 1878
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Rev. Francisco Hernandez
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sacramento (Butte County, Sutter Buttes Deanery)
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist welcomes longtime multi-generational parishioners and newcomers alike into a faith community with deep roots in Chico dating to the 1870s. Worship is offered in both English and Spanish every day, with a vibrant bilingual identity reflected in school and parish life. The parish supports families through Notre Dame School (K-8), a full Children's Faith Formation program including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and a Youth Ministry for grades 7-12, plus adult formation through OCIA (RCIA). A 24-hour Adoration Chapel, weekly Confession, and outreach to St. James Mission in Durham round out a parish where daily Mass, devotions, and sacramental life are central.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30pm at St. John's Confessional
- By appointment (contact the parish office)
- Lenten Penance Services (schedule published seasonally)
Adoration times
- Holy Family Adoration Chapel: open 24 hours a day, Monday–Friday
- First Friday Holy Hour: 6:00pm in the Church (English), Hora Santa de Adoración 6pm (Spanish)
- Adoration Holy Hour Wednesday: 6:30pm (at the end of the 6pm Mass)
Parish History
St. John the Baptist traces its roots to the 1860s — only a few years after the founding of Chico — when Catholic families began gathering for worship in the young farming community. The parish was officially established in 1878 and is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the northern Sacramento Valley. As the community grew, the current church building was completed in 1908 and formally dedicated in May 1910. The parish celebrated the centennial of the building in 2008, and Notre Dame School — a ministry of the parish — marked its 90th anniversary in 2019. A full history, 'Pulpit and Pew: A Centennial History of St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish,' is available for download as a PDF from the parish website.
- Roots in 1860s; officially established 1878
- Current church building completed 1908, dedicated May 1910
- Building centennial celebrated 2008
- Notre Dame School founded 1928, marking 90 years in 2019
- Parish history PDF available on the parish website
Church Building and Stained Glass
The most celebrated artistic feature of the parish church is a set of stained-glass windows made in Italy in 1908 by an unknown artist. The windows depict the original decades of the Rosary. The Joyful Mysteries run along the south side of the building and the Sorrowful Mysteries along the north side. The Glorious Mysteries are placed throughout the church, culminating in the Ascension window at the east entrance. Each window was commissioned through sponsorship by individual parishioner families, and those sponsors' names appear beneath the windows in the church.
- Windows crafted in Italy in 1908 by an unknown artist
- Joyful Mysteries — south side of the building
- Sorrowful Mysteries — north side of the building
- Glorious Mysteries placed throughout, with the Ascension window at the east entrance
- Each window sponsored by individual parishioners
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, a parochial vicar, and four deacons, supported by an office staff and program coordinators. The diocese lists the parish in the Butte County, Sutter Buttes Deanery. The parish office team handles parish administration, religious education, and sacramental coordination.
- Rev. Francisco Hernandez — Pastor
- Rev. Ivan Martin — Parochial Vicar (also referenced on staff page as Fr. Ivan Franco)
- Dcn. William Bruening
- Dcn. Leigh Langerwerf
- Dcn. Jesus Padilla Campos
- Dcn. Paul Sajben
- Sandra O'Horan — Office Manager
- Mary Krajcirik — Bookkeeper
- Manny O'Horan — Confirmation Coordinator
- Lori Smith — Director of RCIA for Families
- Ramona Arevalo — Directora de Educación Religiosa
- Maria Perez — Adoration Chapel Coordinator (contact through parish office)
Faith Formation (Children)
St. John the Baptist offers a multi-track Children's Faith Formation program from infancy through 6th grade. The standard Faith Formation track is designed for children in grades 1–6 to grow in knowledge and love of the Lord and to prepare them for the Sacraments. The parish also offers Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children aged 0–5, with age-appropriate presentations of the Catholic faith. First Reconciliation is typically received in 2nd grade.
- Faith Formation classes for grades 1–6
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 0–5
- First Reconciliation in 2nd grade
- Bilingual formation including Educación Religiosa (Spanish)
- Ramona Arevalo — Directora de Educación Religiosa
Youth Ministry
St. John the Baptist Youth Ministry welcomes all students in grades 7 through 12 to grow in faith and fellowship. Programs include a weekly youth group meeting, service opportunities, retreats, and special events for both junior high and high school students.
- Open to grades 7–12
- Weekly youth group meetings
- Volunteer service opportunities
- Weekend retreats and special activities
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA / RCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA) is the parish's process for adults who are curious about the Catholic faith, unbaptized, or baptized Christians preparing for full communion with the Catholic Church. Sessions meet on Thursday evenings, and the program also welcomes adults who have not yet received Reconciliation.
- Open to unbaptized adults and Christians seeking full communion
- Thursday evening sessions
- Also for adults preparing for First Reconciliation
- Lori Smith — Director of RCIA for Families
Sacraments
The parish describes the Sacraments as the source of strength for Catholic life and offers preparation for each one. Parents and godparents attend a Saturday Baptism class before scheduling a Baptism. First Reconciliation is built into Children's Faith Formation, typically in 2nd grade. The OCIA process supports adults preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation. Couples are asked to contact the parish office for marriage preparation, and the Anointing of the Sick is available by appointment through the parish office.
- Baptism — Saturday preparation class 10:00am–12:00pm at the parish office
- First Reconciliation (2nd grade) — through Faith Formation
- Confirmation — through the parish Confirmation program
- First Communion / Eucharist — through Faith Formation
- Marriage — preparation arranged with the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment through the parish office
- OCIA — Thursday evenings
Notre Dame School
Notre Dame School is a Catholic elementary school operated as a ministry of St. John the Baptist Parish, serving Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade. The school partners with parents — recognized as the prime educators of their children — to create a Catholic Christian atmosphere in which each child is nurtured spiritually, intellectually, aesthetically, psychologically, socially, and physically. Notre Dame was founded in 1928 and marked its 90th anniversary in 2019.
- Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade
- A ministry of St. John the Baptist Parish
- Founded 1928; celebrated 90th anniversary in 2019
- Principal: Marci Johnson
- 435 Hazel Street, Chico, CA 95928
St. James Mission — Durham
St. James Mission in Durham is served as a mission parish from St. John the Baptist. It is listed by the Diocese of Sacramento as a mission of the parish under the Butte County, Sutter Buttes Deanery.
- St. James Mission — Durham
- Listed by the Diocese of Sacramento as a mission of St. John the Baptist
Parish Communications
The parish uses Flocknote, an email and text communication service for parishes, to send updates and announcements. Parishioners are invited to sign up to receive timely news about Mass, ministry events, and parish life. The parish also provides information about the parish app for ongoing engagement.
- Flocknote email/text updates
- Parish app available (information on website)
- For more information on videos to watch — link listed on parish site
Contact and Visiting
The parish office welcomes visitors and new parishioners and can be reached by phone or in person at 435 Chestnut Street, Chico, CA 95928. Whether you are a longtime multi-generational member of the parish or are visiting Chico for the first time, the parish invites you to introduce yourself at the parish office or to attend any of the daily Masses, Sunday liturgies, or sacramental preparation programs offered throughout the week.
- Parish Office: 435 Chestnut Street, Chico, CA 95928
- Phone: (530) 343-8741
- School Address: 435 Hazel Street, Chico, CA 95928
- Holy Family Adoration Chapel located across the street from the church