About St. John the Baptist · Napa, California
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is a historic, bilingual parish in downtown Napa, California, founded in 1858 and now part of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. It serves as the oldest Catholic community in the Napa Valley, offering English and Spanish Masses daily, a 24/7 Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, and a parish school. The parish is led by Fr. Ismael Mora (Pastor) and Fr. Raju Kolanti (Parochial Vicar), supported by five deacons and a wide range of lay ministries.
- Established
- 1858
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Fr. Ismael Mora
- Diocese
- Diocese of Santa Rosa
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist is the historic heart of Catholic life in Napa Valley, worshipping in a 2,000-seat Vatican II church and running a 24/7 Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel that is open to all faiths. The parish is genuinely bilingual (English and Spanish) with a strong Hispanic ministry, and offers a full sacramental and devotional life: daily 12:05pm Mass, multiple weekend Masses in English and Spanish, Saturday confessions, a thriving Religious Education program, and dozens of lay ministries from St. Vincent de Paul and Knights of Columbus to Cursillo-style movements and a music ministry. It is also home to a TK–8th grade Catholic school, making it a true parish family for cradle Catholics, newcomers, and young families alike.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30pm – 4:15pm (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- St. Pope John Paul II Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel — Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to people of any faith (ID required between 11:00pm and 6:00am)
Welcome to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Napa
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is a historic, bilingual Roman Catholic parish located in downtown Napa, California, at 960 Caymus Street. The parish's own mission statement reads: 'Coming together in faith to pray and follow in the path of Jesus Christ, to serve as committed stewards of our Catholic faith through our parish church, and to minister with compassion to each other and our community.' The parish embraces a vision of 'renewing our individual faith and our faith family through prayer, celebration, mutual support, inclusivity and hospitality, that we might walk more closely with God in Jesus Christ.' Its stated values are: Build Unity, Foster Youth, Celebrate Diversity, Respect Traditions, and Serve Others.
- Mission: pray, follow Christ, steward the Catholic faith, minister with compassion.
- Vision: renew faith through prayer, celebration, hospitality, and inclusivity.
- Values: Build Unity · Foster Youth · Celebrate Diversity · Respect Traditions · Serve Others.
Parish History — A Catholic Presence in Napa Since 1858
The Catholic community in Napa existed for two years before the parish was officially established. In 1856, local merchant George N. Cornwell donated a lot at Main and Caymus Streets for a church. Until then, Mass had been said in private homes, in Mrs. Margaret McInerney's boarding house on South Main Street, in John Truebody's warehouse, and in an upstairs hall at Main and First Streets. In 1858 a brick church was begun; the baptismal and marriage books opened October 1, 1858, and Bishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany dedicated the building on November 24, 1859.
- 1856 — George N. Cornwell donates the Main and Caymus Street lot.
- 1858 — Brick church begun; architect Fairfield, contractor William Richmond; cost $4,862.
- 1858, Oct 1 — Baptismal and marriage books opened; first baptism: Marie Diffley O'Hagan.
- 1859, Nov 24 — Dedicated by Bishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany.
- 1860 — First resident pastor, Fr. Peter Deyaert, appointed.
- 1881 — Larger Gothic wood-frame church built (7 arches, 28 stained glass windows, tower).
- 1898 — Original brick church damaged by earthquake and demolished.
- 1962 — Becomes part of the new Diocese of Santa Rosa under Bishop Leo Maher.
- 1967, Jan 29 — Current Vatican II-era church dedicated on Napa Street (capacity ~2,000).
Parish Staff
Behind the clergy is a robust parish staff running faith formation, music, youth ministry, the bulletin, and day-to-day operations.
- Maria G. Gallegos — Office and Facilities Manager ([email protected], ext. 15)
- Rocio Lockhart — Receptionist Assistant (ext. 17)
- Kevin Escobar — Receptionist (ext. 10)
- Caroline Eibenberger — Bookkeeper ([email protected], ext. 16)
- Anthony Mayor — Music Director ([email protected])
- Javier Gloria — Religious Education Director (707-345-6218)
- Edna Solorio — Religious Education Director & Youth Coordinator (707-956-0858)
- Isabel Martinez — Bulletin Editor ([email protected])
Parish Ministries
St. John's offers a wide spectrum of lay ministries, many of them bilingual or specifically Spanish-language. The parish sees ministry as stewardship — a way for parishioners to share the gifts God has given them with the wider community.
- Religious Education (Catechism) for children — contact Javier Gloria & Edna Solorio.
- Altar Servers / Monaguillos (English & Spanish).
- Lectors Ministry — contact Lynne Baker, 707-666-1172.
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist — contact Lynne Baker or Dcn. Joe Oberting.
- Music Ministry / Parish Choir — contact Anthony Mayor.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — 707-257-0387.
- Detention Ministry (prison visitation & Bible study) — 707-255-5187.
- Knights of Columbus — 707-287-1131.
- El Buen Pastor (Spanish charismatic prayer & Bible study group) — Pedro Gordillo, 707-331-6137.
- CERS — Comunidad Evangelizadora para la Reconciliación y el Servicio — Carlos Gutiérrez, 707-227-4364.
- San Juan Bautista couples ministry — Gaby Vargas, 707-287-0998.
- Movimiento Familiar Cristiano (MFC) — Jesús Velázquez, email coordinator via parish.
- Apologetics Ministry.
- Bible Study / Estudio de Biblia.
- Prayer Line — 707-226-8408.
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all the usual sacraments, with bilingual preparation for Baptism and Marriage.
- Baptism — preparation in English and Spanish (707-226-9379).
- Marriage Preparation — 707-226-9379 ext. 10.
- Anointing of the Sick — call the parish office.
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:30–4:15pm or by appointment.
St. John the Baptist Catholic School
St. John the Baptist Catholic School is the parish's TK through 8th-grade elementary school, located at 983 Napa Street, Napa, CA 94559 (phone 707-224-8388, fax 707-224-0236). According to the Diocese of Santa Rosa's Office of Catholic Schools, the school was founded in 1950 and serves as a Christ-centered academic community in the heart of Napa. The school shares a campus and several ministries with the parish, including the Religious Education program and deacon Joe Oberting's ministry assignments.
- Address: 983 Napa Street, Napa, CA 94559.
- Phone: (707) 224-8388 · Fax: (707) 224-0236.
- Grades: Transitional Kindergarten through 8th.
- Founded: 1950 (per Diocese of Santa Rosa).
- Website: stjohnscatholic.org.
Visit, Contact & Directions
The parish is located at 960 Caymus Street, Napa, CA 94559. The main parish office number is (707) 226-9379, with fax (707) 254-9262. The general office email is [email protected]. Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00am–12:00pm and 1:00pm–5:00pm. The 24/7 Adoration Chapel is open to people of any faith — a rare and distinctive feature of this parish.
- Address: 960 Caymus Street, Napa, CA 94559.
- Phone: (707) 226-9379 · Fax: (707) 254-9262.
- Office Email: [email protected].
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00am–12:00pm and 1:00pm–5:00pm.
- Website: http://www.stjb1858.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Largan1858
Pastor of Sonoma who opened the parish's baptismal and marriage books on October 1, 1858, recording the first baptism.
- Fr. Rousche1859
First 'priest-in-charge' of the new parish, assisted by Fr. Larkin.
- Fr. Peter Deyaert1860
First resident pastor, appointed by Archbishop Alemany; served an enormous four-county territory (Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Solano) and traveled it on foot. Built the rectory in 1866 and purchased land for a future school.