About St. Joseph · Alameda, California
The Basilica of St. Joseph is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and parish located at 1109 Chestnut Street in Alameda, California, belonging to the Diocese of Oakland. Established in 1873 as a mission church of St. Anthony Parish in Oakland, it became an independent parish in 1885 and was elevated to the rank of minor basilica by Pope Paul VI on January 21, 1972 — making it one of only four basilicas in the western United States at that time. The current Spanish Colonial Revival church, designed by H.A. Minton and inspired by the Mission San Carlos in Monterey, was built after the second church on the site burned in 1919, consecrated in 1935, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (added September 18, 1978). It serves as a parish church for central Alameda and hosts daily Mass, Sunday liturgies, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for all ages, and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Mario Rizzo (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Oakland
Why belong here
St. Joseph Basilica is a welcoming parish with deep roots in Alameda (founded 1873) and a rare identity as a minor basilica under the Diocese of Oakland, offering daily and Sunday Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday confessions, and a wide range of formation opportunities for every age and stage — including SPRED for individuals with developmental delays, RCIA, adult confirmation, youth confirmation, and Scripture studies. The parish combines its historical and architectural significance (Spanish Colonial Revival, National Register, restored 1921 stained glass, Schoenstein organ) with active liturgical ministries, a Spirit Ensemble choir, an outreach-and-service arm, scripture reflection groups, and a second worship site at St. Barnabas — making it both a heritage landmark and a living community for Catholic life on the Island City.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday after the 8:00 am Morning Mass, ending at 9:00 am (or until all confessions are heard)
- Saturday 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
- By appointment — call Fr. Mario at 510-995-9421
Adoration times
- Friday 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Eucharistic Adoration; subject to change)
History & Heritage
St. Joseph's traces its origins to 1873, when San Francisco Archbishop Jose Sadoc Alemany established a mission church in Alameda on land at Santa Clara Avenue and Chestnut donated by a non-Catholic benefactor. It was served from Oakland by Fr. William Gleeson, who rode across the estuary each Sunday. The mission was raised to a parish in 1885 under Archbishop Patrick William Riordan with Fr. Michael McNaboe as founding pastor; the gothic wooden church of 1895 was destroyed by fire on September 29, 1919, and replaced by the present Spanish Colonial Revival basilica, modeled on Mission San Carlos in Monterey, dedicated in stages between 1920 and 1935. Pope Paul VI elevated the church to a minor basilica in January 1972, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
- Mission established 1873 (dedicated April 6, 1873)
- Parish formally constituted 1885 under Fr. Michael McNaboe
- Second (gothic) church built 1895, destroyed by fire September 29, 1919
- Current basilica cornerstone laid August 22, 1920; first Mass December 25, 1921
- Altar and church consecrated August 17, 1935 by Archbishop John J. Mitty
- Elevated to minor basilica by Pope Paul VI on January 21, 1972
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places September 18, 1978
- Designated an Alameda Historical Monument
Architecture & Art
The basilica is built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, deliberately modeled on the old Mission San Carlos in Monterey. It was designed by Massachusetts architect H. A. Minton — who had come west to help rebuild San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake — working with W. D. Shea, and built by J. J. Leonard. The bell donated by the Knights of Columbus was cast from metal salvaged from the bell of the 1895 church. The parish's stained-glass windows were funded and installed one at a time beginning in 1921 and were fully restored in 2013 thanks to parishioner donations. The basilica houses a Schoenstein organ and bears the papal conopaeum (yellow-and-red silk umbraculum) and tintinnabulum that mark its status as a minor basilica.
- Spanish Colonial Revival style, modeled on Mission San Carlos in Monterey
- Architect: H. A. Minton (with W. D. Shea); Builder: J. J. Leonard
- Bell donated by Knights of Columbus (metal from 1895 church bell)
- Stained-glass windows installed 1921 onward, restored 2013
- Schoenstein organ
- Papal conopaeum and tintinnabulum (symbols of basilica status)
Mass & Liturgy
The parish celebrates the Eucharist every day of the week: Morning Mass is offered Monday through Saturday at 8:00 am, with a Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 pm. Sunday Masses are celebrated at 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 12:00 pm, and 7:00 pm. During the current closure for renovations (May through November), a single Sunday 10:00 am Mass is celebrated.
- Daily Mass: Monday–Saturday 8:00 am
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm
- Sunday Masses: 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 12:00 pm, 7:00 pm
- Renovation-period Sunday Mass: 10:00 am (May–November)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Faith Formation office, directed by Anne Marie Fourre, offers programs for every age and stage of Catholic life. There is no age limit to faith formation at St. Joseph's: the parish serves children, teens, adults, individuals with developmental delays, catechumens and candidates preparing for sacraments, and adults seeking deeper Scripture study or small-group faith sharing. The SPRED (Special Religious Education) program partners each participant with a 'Friend' for monthly gatherings, with an adult group offered at St. Barnabas.
- Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- Adult Confirmation
- Children's Faith Formation classes
- Youth Confirmation
- Adult Faith Formation
- Scripture Studies
- Sunday Experiences for Families
- SPRED — Special Religious Education (developmental delays)
Liturgical Ministries
Lay faithful participate in the parish's liturgical life through a wide array of ministries. All volunteers must complete online Safe Environment training before serving. Music is led by Music Director Michael Chinnavaso and the Spirit Ensemble. Ushers and greeters welcome worshippers; Lectors proclaim the Word; Extraordinary Ministers of Communion distribute the Eucharist; Altar Servers and Sacristans assist at the altar; and the Arts & Environment team cares for the sacred space. Altar Server sign-ups are accepted through the parish website.
- Ministers of Communion
- Ministers of the Word / Lectors
- Ushers & Greeters
- Altar Servers & Sacristans
- Arts & Environment
- Music & Choir (Spirit Ensemble)
- Safe Environment training (required for all volunteers)
Outreach & Ongoing Formation
Beyond the sanctuary, the parish offers ongoing Scripture reflection and outreach opportunities that round out parish life. The Thursday Scripture Reflection group meets for adults who want to deepen their faith through study of the Word. The Outreach & Service ministry coordinates the parish's charitable works in the wider Alameda community. SPRED provides monthly small-group faith-sharing for adults with developmental disabilities at St. Barnabas.
- Thursday Scripture Reflection
- Outreach & Service
- SPRED adult group at St. Barnabas
- Safe Environment volunteer training
Pastoral Team & Staff
The parish is currently led by Parochial Administrator Rev. Mario Rizzo, supported by Parochial Vicar Rev. Kenneth Nobrega and Pastoral Associate Jimmy Jimenez-Garcia. Anne Marie Fourre directs Faith Formation, Sherley Lim serves as Parish Secretary and Funeral & Infant Baptism Coordinator at the St. Joseph site, Michael Chinnavaso directs the Spirit Ensemble, Stanton Schonberg is Business Manager, Gloria Maldonado is Parish Secretary at the St. Barnabas site, Chris Moffett is Maintenance Technician, and Santiago Campos is Custodian.
- Rev. Mario Rizzo — Parochial Administrator ([email protected])
- Rev. Kenneth Nobrega — Parochial Vicar
- Jimmy Jimenez-Garcia — Pastoral Associate
- Anne Marie Fourre — Director of Faith Formation
- Sherley Lim — Parish Secretary; Funeral & Infant Baptism Coordinator (St. Joseph site)
- Michael Chinnavaso — Music Director, Spirit Ensemble
- Stanton Schonberg — Business Manager
- Gloria Maldonado — Parish Secretary (St. Barnabas site)
- Chris Moffett — Maintenance Technician
- Santiago Campos — Custodian
Visiting & Practical Information
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed for lunch 1:00–2:00 pm) for in-person visits. The basilica itself is closed for major renovations from May 18 through November; the parish continues to celebrate Sunday 10:00 am Mass during this period. The mailing address is 1109 Chestnut Street, Alameda, CA 94501. The parish's federal Tax ID is 94-1156709 (St. Barnabas site: 94-1156708).
- Parish office hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (closed for lunch 1:00–2:00 pm)
- Basilica closed for renovations May 18 – November
- Sunday 10:00 am Mass during renovation period
- Phone: (510) 522-0181 (parish), (510) 995-9421 (Fr. Mario)
- Email: [email protected]
- Tax ID 94-1156709 (St. Joseph); 94-1156708 (St. Barnabas)
St. Barnabas Worship Site
St. Barnabas Church operates as a second worship site of St. Joseph Basilica, serving the western end of Alameda including transient military families historically stationed at Naval Air Station Alameda. The parish secretary at the St. Barnabas site is Gloria Maldonado, and an adult SPRED faith-sharing group meets there.
- Operates as a second site of St. Joseph Basilica
- Adult SPRED group meets at St. Barnabas
- Parish Secretary (St. Barnabas): Gloria Maldonado
- Tax ID 94-1156708
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Gleeson1873–1885
First pastor of the mission church; rode from Oakland to serve Alameda.
- Rev. Michael McNaboe1885–1892
First pastor of the formally constituted parish; died March 1, 1892.
- Rev. John J. Sullivan1892–1898
Second pastor; oversaw building of the 1895 gothic church; resigned due to illness.
- Rev. Patrick A. Foley1898–c.1913
Third pastor; later transferred to St. Raphael's, San Rafael.
- Rev. James Bernard Praught1913–1943
Founded St. Joseph Elementary School in 1916; oversaw the 1920 church rebuilt after 1919 fire; Pastor Emeritus until his death in 1949.
- Rev. Robert J. O'Connor1943–1957
Previously pastor of St. Philip Neri, Alameda, since 1928; died 1957.
- Rev. Msgr. Alvin P. Wagnerc.1957–1983
Made a Domestic Prelate by Pope John XXIII in 1962; oversaw transition to Diocese of Oakland in 1962.
- Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SS.CC.)1983–2007
Religious order invited by Oakland Diocese to staff the parish.
- Diocesan priests2007–present
Returned to diocesan staffing by Oakland Bishop Allen Vigneron after SS.CC. departure.