About St. John the Baptist · San Lorenzo, California
St. John the Baptist is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Catholic parish in San Lorenzo, California, within the Diocese of Oakland. Its roots go back to about 1895, when Mass was first offered in the area under Father McEvoy; the mission was dedicated by Archbishop Riordan in 1900 and became an independent parish in July 1925 with Rev. Abel Costa as its first resident pastor. The present church building was completed in 1949 and the parish school in 1952, with a parish hall/gym added in 1972 under Fr. John Mallon. Today the parish is led by Fr. Sergio Lopez, JCD, with Fr. Arturo Cardenas as parochial vicar, and serves a vibrant, multi-generational community with a full K–8 Catholic school, the Presentation Sisters, the SPRED program for adults with developmental disabilities, a St. Vincent de Paul conference, and many liturgical and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1925
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Rev. Sergio Lopez, JCD
- Diocese
- Diocese of Oakland
Why belong here
St. John's offers a rare combination: a century-old parish with deep roots in the San Lorenzo community, an attached Catholic school (K–8) staffed historically by the Presentation Sisters, and a vibrant bilingual (English/Spanish) liturgical life with five weekend Masses. It is also notably welcoming to families and to persons with disabilities through its SPRED program (founded locally in 1999), active outreach to the homebound and to the poor via a St. Vincent de Paul conference, and a strong Confirmation and RCIA pipeline — all reasons both cradle Catholics and newcomers find a home here.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 4:30 pm
Adoration times
- Adoration with Divine Mercy Novena: Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 am – 10:00 am
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: First Friday, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm (followed by Mass in Spanish)
History of St. John the Baptist Parish
St. John the Baptist began as a rural mission church in the San Lorenzo farming community around 1895, established under Father McEvoy and dedicated by Archbishop Riordan in 1900. For nearly thirty years it was a mission of San Leander Parish in San Leandro until, with the post-war growth of the East Bay, it was formally erected as an independent parish in July 1925 with Rev. Abel Costa as its first resident pastor. Successive pastors oversaw the construction of the present church (1949), the parish school (1952), the convent (1952–1959), and the parish hall/gym (1972). The Presentation Sisters have staffed the school since its founding.
- c. 1895 – Mission founded under Father McEvoy
- 1900 – Original mission dedicated by Archbishop Riordan
- July 1925 – Erected as independent parish; Rev. Abel Costa first resident pastor
- 1930 – Rev. Arthur J. Cantwell succeeds Costa; heating, windows, organ, and lighting improvements
- 1942 – Rev. Philip J. Ryan takes over; property expansion and renovations
- 1946 – Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. Dermody begins longest pastorate; building program begins
- 1949 – Present church completed
- 1952 – Parish school opens (Presentation Sisters)
- 1952–1959 – Convent completed
- 1968 – Rev. John J. Wagner succeeds Dermody
- 1972 – Parish hall and gym built under Fr. John J. Mallon
- 1985 – Rev. Seamus J. Farrell serves as administrator
- 1999 – SPRED program established locally
- 2016 – Rev. Sergio Lopez, JCD, becomes current pastor
Mass & Parish Hours
The parish celebrates five weekend Masses — three in English and two in Spanish (with the parish's own Community Life page noting additional Spanish Sunday Masses) — plus daily Mass Monday through Friday. Confessions are heard twice weekly. Adoration is offered on Wednesdays and Fridays and all day on First Fridays, followed by a Spanish evening Mass.
- Weekday Mass (English): Mon–Fri 8:30 am
- Tuesday Spanish Mass: 6:00 pm
- Thursday Spanish Mass: 6:00 pm
- Saturday Vigil English: 4:30 pm
- Saturday Vigil Spanish: 6:30 pm
- Sunday English: 7:30 am and 9:30 am
- Sunday Spanish: 11:30 am and 1:30 pm
- Confessions: Tuesday and Thursday, 4:30 pm
- Adoration with Divine Mercy Novena: Wed & Fri 9:00–10:00 am
- First Friday Adoration: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm, followed by Mass in Spanish
- Parish Office: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–12:00 pm and 1:00–5:00 pm
Sacraments
St. John's prepares parishioners for the seven sacraments through age-appropriate catechesis and required formation classes. Infant baptism is scheduled monthly in English and Spanish, with required pre-baptismal classes for parents and godparents. Older children not yet baptized follow a two-year preparation parallel to RCIA and receive Baptism and First Eucharist together at the Easter Vigil Mass. Marriage preparation begins at least six months in advance, and Anointing of the Sick is available to those seriously ill or facing significant health challenges.
- Baptism (Infant & Youth)
- First Eucharist (after two-year preparation)
- Confirmation (two-year high school program)
- Matrimony (six-month preparation)
- Anointing of the Sick
- RCIA for adults
- Quinceañeras (by appointment)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Beyond the parish school, St. John's offers a full parish-based faith formation program for children not enrolled in Catholic school, built on four pillars: Knowledge (Bible and Catholic teaching), Prayer (personal and communal), Celebration (Sunday Mass and the liturgical year), and Experience/Application (service and Christian living). Catechists lead weekly sessions and welcome new volunteers.
- Children's Faith Formation (grades 1–8)
- Confirmation Program (two years, high-school-aged)
- RCIA (adults)
- SPRED — Special Religious Education for adults 22+ with developmental disabilities (established locally 1999, Oakland Diocese SPRED network)
St. John Catholic School
St. John Catholic School (270 E. Lewelling Blvd.) is the educational ministry of the parish, serving approximately 150 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. The school has been staffed historically by the Presentation Sisters since its 1952 founding. The parish school offers faith-integrated academics in a Catholic environment.
- Grades K–8
- Approximately 150 students
- Founded 1952 under Monsignor Dermody
- Staffed historically by the Presentation Sisters
- Current Principal: Veronica Gonzalez; Vice Principal: Marina Ledezma
- Located at 270 E. Lewelling Blvd., San Lorenzo, CA 94580
Music Ministry
Music at St. John's is led by two parish choirs serving the English and Spanish Masses. Both choirs welcome new members regardless of musical background; rehearsals are held weekly in the church.
- English Choir (St. John's Choir): rehearsals Wednesdays 6:15 pm; Coordinator: Melody McHan-Round
- Spanish Choir: 16 active members; sings Saturday 6:30 pm and Sunday 2:00 pm Masses; rehearsals Tuesdays 7:00 pm
Liturgical Ministries
St. John's relies on a wide network of lay liturgical ministers. Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist distribute Communion at Mass and bring it to the homebound; lectors proclaim the Scriptures; greeters welcome parishioners; the Liturgy Committee coordinates all liturgical celebrations; and the Family Mass intentionally involves children as choir members, greeters, lectors, and gift-bearers.
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist (English: Connie Simone 510-693-0113; Spanish: Carmen Ruiz 510-258-2627)
- Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound (14 ministers)
- Lectors
- Greeters
- Liturgy Committee (monthly meetings; contact Jesus Enriquez 510-461-5411)
- Family Mass
Outreach & Service
St. Vincent de Paul is the parish's signature outreach ministry, distributing food Monday through Friday at 4 pm and providing clothing, toiletries, bus tickets, gift cards, rent, and utility assistance to neighbors in need. The conference meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6 pm in the SVDP room adjacent to the gym. Parishioners are invited to donate non-perishable food staples through the church basket. Collection Counters help with the safe handling of Sunday offertory.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (President LeNora Carroll, ext. 2007)
- Food distribution Mon–Fri at 4:00 pm
- Rent and utility assistance
- Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound (Pastoral Care)
- Collection Counters (every two weeks)
Hispanic Community
St. John's Hispanic Community offers vibrant Spanish-language liturgies and sacramental celebrations throughout the year. Spanish Masses are celebrated every weekend and on First Fridays, and the community gathers for special devotions including the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the annual Kermes honoring the parish patron in late June.
- Saturday Spanish Vigil: 6:30 pm
- Sunday Spanish Masses: 11:30 am and 1:30 pm
- First Friday Spanish Mass: 7:00 pm
- Spanish religious education classes
- Baptisms, Quinceañeras, and Weddings by appointment
- Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December)
- Annual Kermes for St. John the Baptist (late June)
Meet the Team — Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Sergio Lopez, JCD, and Parochial Vicar Rev. Arturo Cardenas. A team of parish and school staff supports faith formation, music, liturgy, business operations, facilities, communications, and sacramental preparation.
- Pastor: Rev. Sergio Lopez, JCD
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Arturo Cardenas
- Business Manager: Geena Morales
- School Principal: Veronica Gonzalez
- Vice Principal: Marina Ledezma
- Confirmation Coordinator: Rheine Nguyen
- RCIA Coordinator: Kristen Elliott
- English Choir Music Coordinator: Melody McHan-Round
- Building and Grounds: Daniel Enos
- Parish Staff: Marsha Villarreal, Berta Saavedra, Mario Cuesta
- Parish Web Developer & Social Media Coordinator
Visit Us — Location & Contact
The parish church is located at 264 East Lewelling Boulevard in San Lorenzo, with a mailing address of 11642 Ashland Ave., San Lorenzo, CA 94580. It is part of the Diocese of Oakland and is accessible from I-880 via either the Hesperian Blvd (exit 31) or Lewelling Blvd (exit 30) off-ramps. AC Transit bus lines 85 and 93 stop nearby. The parish office receives visitors and phone calls Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
- Church: 264 E. Lewelling Blvd., San Lorenzo, CA 94580
- Mailing: 11642 Ashland Ave., San Lorenzo, CA 94580
- Phone: (510) 351-5050
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stjohnsanlorenzo.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563775837755
- Diocese: Diocese of Oakland
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Abel Costa1925–1930
First resident pastor when San Lorenzo mission was erected as an independent parish; repaired the church and built the rectory with donations from the Stanton family and John Baptista.
- Rev. Arthur J. Cantwell1930–1942
Installed new heating system, windows, organ, and lighting.
- Rev. Philip J. Ryan1942–1946
Expanded the parish property and oversaw renovations.
- Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. Dermody1946–1968
Acquired land for convent and playground, built temporary church for growing population, launched drive for new school and convent (completed 1952–1959); led parish through post-war growth and Vatican II.
- Rev. John J. Wagner1968–1969
Succeeded Monsignor Dermody; brief tenure.
- Rev. John J. Mallon1969–1983 (history page lists him from 1972 for major construction)
Built the parish hall/gym complex in 1972 and remodeled the rectory and school.
- Rev. William J. Marshall1983–1985
- Rev. Seamus J. Farrell1985 (Administrator)
Served as parish administrator.
- Rev. Brian T. Timoney1985–1993
- Rev. William J. Dunn1993–1997
- Rev. David Link1997–2003
- Rev. Michael Lacy2003–2016
- Rev. Sergio Lopez, JCD2016–Present
Current pastor; Doctor of Canon Law (JCD); leads bilingual parish with expanded ministries.