About St. Joseph · Lincoln, California
St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln, California is a culturally and geographically diverse Roman Catholic community of the Diocese of Sacramento, officially described as 'one parish — three churches' because it includes two mission churches, St. Boniface in Nicolaus and St. Daniel in Wheatland. The parish traces its roots to 1864, when land was acquired from the Crosby family under the leadership of Father John Leahey, with the first church built and dedicated in 1877 by Archbishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany. It became an independent parish in 1925, built a new church in 1926, and the present Oak Tree Lane church was completed and dedicated on March 18, 2007.
- Established
- 1925
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Fredhelito E. Gucor
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sacramento
Why belong here
St. Joseph Parish welcomes families, newcomers, and longtime residents across three worship sites (Lincoln, Nicolaus, and Wheatland) with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish, daily Eucharistic adoration in the chapel, and a deep bench of ministries for every age and stage of life. Parishioners grow in faith through CCD classes (grades 1–6), a two-year Confirmation program (grades 7–11), the Life Teen youth ministry, and OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults seeking full initiation. Outreach is anchored by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus, Respect Life Ministry, Legion of Mary, and a Prayer Line, while daily Mass is also livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (only the first Saturday of the month; Solo el Primer Sábado del Mes)
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM at St. Joseph Church, Lincoln
- Also available by appointment — call the Parish Office
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM in the Chapel
- First Sunday of the month at 7:00 PM (Holy Hour with music, reading, and reflection)
Parish History
Saint Joseph was one of the earliest Catholic congregations in Lincoln, with land acquired from Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Crosby in 1864 under Father John Leahey. The first church was built in 1877 and dedicated by Archbishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany. After decades as a mission (first of Marysville, then Folsom, then Saint Rose in Roseville), Lincoln became an independent parish in 1925 under Father Patrick Donnelly, who built the 1926 church at 6th and D Streets. The present-day church on Oak Tree Lane was dedicated March 18, 2007, after capital campaigns and land gifts from Ethel Mulligan and the Ferrari family. A more complete timeline of pastors and milestones is preserved on the parish's About Us page.
- 1864 — land acquired from the Crosby family
- 1877 — original church built and dedicated by Archbishop Alemany
- 1925 — Lincoln becomes an independent parish (Father Patrick Donnelly, first resident pastor)
- 1926 — new church built at 6th & D Streets; dedicated Pentecost Sunday by Bishop Patrick J. Keane
- 1936 — rectory built next to church (Father Daniel Twomey)
- c. 1948 — military barracks from Beale AFB converted to parish hall (Father Andy Tynan)
- 1983 — interior renovation (Father John E. Boll)
- Fall 1987 — first Capital Stewardship Program
- 2002 — second Capital Stewardship Program (Father Vincent Brady)
- Fall 2002 — Father Pol Gumapo appointed Administrator, later Pastor
- March 18, 2007 — present Oak Tree Lane church dedicated
- 2009–2021 — Father Eric Lofgren oversees Family Center and courtyard construction
- July 1, 2021 — Rev. Fredhelito E. Gucor appointed Pastor
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full sacramental preparation program for children, youth, and adults, supported by the Religious Education Office at 916-645-2684. Adults can deepen their faith through Bible Study and the FORMED Catholic media platform, which the parish subscribes to for all parishioners.
- CCD Religious Education — Grades 1–6, classes Monday–Wednesday, prepares for First Communion
- Confirmation Program — two-year process for Grades 7–11 who have received Baptism, First Reconciliation, and First Eucharist
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — formerly RCIA; four-period process running roughly August through Easter Vigil
- OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation of Children) — for children ages 9–17
- Adult Faith Formation — Bible Study, FORMED subscription (formed.org), Adult OCIA team
Youth Ministry — Life Teen
St. Joseph's Life Teen program is for teens ages 13–18 who have been Confirmed, in both English and Spanish. Its mission is to help teens build a relationship with Christ, their parish, and the wider community through Adoration, retreats, faith groups, and works of mercy.
- Open to confirmed teens ages 13–18
- Offered in English and Spanish
- Pillars: Eucharistic Adoration, retreats, faith groups, works of mercy
- Connected to Steubenville Conferences and the broader Life Teen network
- Coordinator: Jessica Alvarado (Lifeteen Youth Minister); contact: Dianna Noyes, 916-645-2684
Parish Staff & Pastoral Leadership
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Fredhelito E. Gucor and Parochial Vicar Rev. Karun Kumar Gade, supported by a staff team and six deacons (two retired). A separate Pastoral Council with members from all three church communities advises the pastor on parish life and mission.
- Pastor — Rev. Fredhelito E. Gucor (since July 1, 2021)
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Karun Kumar Gade
- Deacons — Paul DeVito, Patrick Mahan, Roberto G. Ruiz, Juvencio (Juve) Vela, Emmett Pogue (Retired), Jesus Rodriguez (Retired)
- Lifeteen Youth Minister — Jessica Alvarado
- Religious Education Coordinator — Ana Barriga
- Business Manager — Diana Gutierrez
- Music and Liturgy Coordinator — Nina Malone
- Custodians — Juan Avalos, Jesus Rodriguez
- Administrative Assistant — Joselynne Rodriguez
Liturgical & Parish Life Ministries
Parishioners serve the liturgy through choirs, lectors, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, and ushers at all three church sites. The Liturgy Committee coordinates music and worship, with choirs for the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass and Holy Days, and a Men's Choir for the first-Sunday 8:00 AM Mass.
- Liturgy Committee (Nina Malone, Dorothy Voigt)
- Adult Choir — 10:00 AM Sunday Mass and Holy Days; practice Thursdays 6:00 PM
- Men's Choir — 8:00 AM first-Sunday Mass
- Altar Servers (4th grade through young adult; First Communion required)
- Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers
- Ministers of the Sick & Visitors to the Sick
- Floral Ministry, Altar Society
Outreach, Charity & Community Life
Outreach flows through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus, the Respect Life Ministry, and the Welcoming Committee, while groups like the Legion of Mary, Lay Canossians, and the Prayer Line sustain the parish's spiritual and corporal works of mercy. The Lazarus Committee hosts funeral luncheons for grieving families.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — meets 2nd & 4th Mondays, 3:00–4:00 PM at the Parish Family Center
- Knights of Columbus
- Catholic Men's Fellowship
- Respect Life Ministry — meets 3rd Friday at 9:30 AM
- Legion of Mary — Perpetual Novena
- Lay Canossians
- Divine Mercy Group
- Prayer Line Ministry
- Welcoming Committee, Rosary Guild, Vocation Committee, Religious Vocations
- Lazarus Committee — funeral luncheon hospitality
Three Church Communities — One Parish
St. Joseph Parish serves a wide swath of western Placer and southern Sutter/Yuba County through three worship sites. The mission churches of St. Boniface (Nicolaus) and St. Daniel (Wheatland) maintain their own Mass schedules and ministry contacts, while sharing pastoral staff and parish councils with St. Joseph in Lincoln.
- St. Joseph — 280 Oak Tree Lane, Lincoln, CA 95648 — (916) 645-2102
- St. Boniface Mission — 1045 Marcum Road, Nicolaus, CA 95659
- St. Daniel Mission — 214 Main Street, Wheatland, CA 95692
- Pastoral Council members from all three communities (Federico Gregorio, Ana Barriga, Dianna Noyes from St. Joseph; Louis Shalz from St. Boniface; Mark Richardson, Rosa Hernandez, David Troutman from St. Daniel)
Facilities & Parish Office
The St. Joseph Family Center and courtyard were completed under Father Eric Lofgren (2009–2021) and host many parish meetings, faith-formation classes, and fellowship events. The parish office is open Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM.
- St. Joseph Family Center (with rooms used for SVdP, Divine Mercy Group, and faith-formation classes)
- Parish Office — 280 Oak Tree Lane, Lincoln, CA 95648
- Office hours: Tuesday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM); Monday and Friday closed
- Religious Education Office — 916-645-2684; email [email protected]
- Daily livestreamed Mass from St. Joseph (Mon/Wed/Fri 8:30 AM; Sun 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM Spanish)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Leaheyearly settler era (pre-1877)
Led the establishment of the Lincoln congregation; land acquired from the Crosby family in 1864.
- Father Patrick Donnelly1925–
First resident pastor of the newly independent Lincoln parish; built the 1926 church on 6th & D Streets.
- Father Myles
Lived at the home of Manuel and Mary Costa on Sixth Street.
- Father Daniel Twomey1934–
Had the rectory built next to Saint Joseph Church in 1936; first priest to live in it.
- Father Andy Tynanc. 1948
Purchased two military barracks from Beale AFB to create the parish hall.
- Father Arnold Schaffer
Received six-acre Mulligan land donation and purchased an additional eight acres.
- Father John E. Boll1983
Directed renovation: painting, carpeting, reconciliation room, new altar and ambo.
- Father Manuel Soria
Received the 16-acre Ferrari land donation for the new church.
- Father Vincent Brady2002
Led the second Capital Stewardship program.
- Father Pol Gumapo2002
Appointed Administrator in fall 2002, later Pastor; oversaw planning for the Oak Tree Lane church.
- Father Eric Lofgren2009–2021
Oversaw the capital campaign, construction, and completion of the St. Joseph Family Center and courtyard.
- Rev. Fredhelito E. Gucor2021–present
Appointed Pastor July 1, 2021.