About St. Mary - Escondido · Escondido, California
St. Mary Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Escondido, California, belonging to the Diocese of San Diego. Established in 1888, it is one of the oldest parishes in inland North County San Diego and today is the largest parish in the diocese, with a worshipping community of more than 7,000 that gathers daily in English and Spanish. The parish is known for its traditional interior, perpetual adoration chapel, broad ministry network (Altar & Rosary Society, Legion of Mary, OCIA, youth and young adult groups, Filipino American community, and a K-8 school and preschool), and a 1929 bell salvaged from its original 'Church on the Hill.'
- Established
- 1888
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Scott Herrera
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
St. Mary offers daily Mass in both English and Spanish, perpetual Eucharistic adoration (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), and a full schedule of Confessions. It runs a two-year Religious Education program for First Communion and Confirmation, an OCIA (formerly RCIA) process for adults, a youth group for ages 13–18, a young adult ministry (ages 18–36), and a K-8 school and preschool on site. With more than two dozen parish ministries — including the historic Altar & Rosary Society, Legion of Mary, Filipino American Community, Pro-Life Ministry, Divine Mercy devotion, Holy Face devotion and Devotion to the Holy Face — and an active life of service through Interfaith Community Services, newcomers of any background can find a spiritual home, formation for their children, and a Catholic community in Escondido's historic Broadway district.
Mass times at St. Mary - Escondido
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 7:15 am – 7:50 am
- Tuesday 5:00 pm – 5:50 pm
- Thursday 7:15 am – 7:50 am
- Thursday 5:00 pm – 5:50 pm
- Saturday 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (access between 7:30 pm and 7:00 am requires a FOB key from the Parish Office)
About St. Mary Parish
St. Mary Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of San Diego, located at 1170 South Broadway in Escondido, California. The parish community worships in English and Spanish, serves the largest congregation in the diocese, and offers daily Mass, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, full sacramental programs, a K-8 school and preschool, and a wide range of lay ministries. Its mission statement centers on welcoming all into God's covenant of love, forgiveness and healing through Roman Catholic practice.
Parish History
Established in 1888 when Bishop Francis Mora of Los Angeles sent Father Robert F. Byrne to found a church in Escondido, St. Mary opened its first building on the corner of 9th and Kalmia streets in 1890 — the so-called 'Church on the Hill.' That structure no longer stands, but the parish relocated to 13th Street and Broadway in 1950 and moved into its current red-brick sanctuary at 1170 South Broadway in 1965–66. A bronze bell purchased for the original church in 1929 still hangs outside today's sanctuary. By 2011 the parish was already drawing 900–1,000 worshippers at a single Mass, with two Saturday vigil and seven Sunday Masses scheduled each weekend. The parish marked its 135th anniversary in 2023.
- 1888 — Parish founded by Father Robert F. Byrne
- 1890 — Original 'Church on the Hill' opens at 9th & Kalmia
- 1929 — Bell installed at original church (still at present sanctuary)
- 1950 — Parish relocates to 13th Street & Broadway
- 1965–66 — Current red-brick sanctuary dedicated on 11-acre site
- 1895 — St. Mary's Altar and Rosary Society founded
- 2023 — 135th anniversary; scrapbooks donated to local Pioneer Room
- 2025 — Altar and Rosary Society celebrates 130th anniversary
Clergy and Pastoral Staff
St. Mary is currently shepherded by Father Scott Herrera, who has served as pastor for more than a decade and is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is assisted by associate priests, visiting priests, and a permanent deacon who also serves as Director of Religious Education. The parish office (760-745-1611) is open Monday–Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed for lunch 12:00–2:00 pm.
- Rev. Scott Herrera — Pastor
- Rev. Manuel Gutierrez del Toro — Associate Pastor
- Rev. Juan Pablo Barragan Mendoza, TOR — Associate Pastor (assigned December 1; since reassigned)
- Rev. Raymond Philip Napuli — Visiting Priest / Associate Pastor
- Rev. Joseph Khuyen Van Lai — Visiting Priest
- Deacon Andres Sanchez — Director of Religious Education
- Vicky Briceno — Confirmation/Youth Group Coordinator & Secretary, Religious Education
- Ivon Ayala — Religious Education staff
- Ranulfo Rojas — Spanish-language OCIA contact
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The Office of Religious Education provides a two-year catechetical program preparing children for the sacraments of Confession, First Communion, and Confirmation, using an intergenerational model in which parents and godparents participate in retreats and adult evangelization classes alongside the children's instruction. Post-sacramental classes continue from First through Twelfth grade. The office also runs the OCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process in English and Spanish for adults seeking to enter or complete the Catholic faith, and offers sign-language catechism on Tuesday evenings.
- Two-year Sacramental Preparation (First Communion, Confirmation)
- OCIA / OCIC — English and Spanish (Spanish classes Tuesday 7:00–8:30 pm)
- Youth Group — ages 13–18, Fridays 6:00 pm
- Young Adult Ministry — ages 18–36
- Sign Language Catechism — Tuesdays 6:30 pm (children) and 7:30 pm (adults)
- Post-sacramental classes — grades 1–12
- Contact: (760) 745-1611 x806; [email protected]; [email protected]
Parish School and Preschool
St. Mary School serves preschoolers through grade 8 on the parish campus, with a recently renovated facility featuring three new buildings, a playground with artificial turf and shaded play structure, a peace garden, and a greenbelt for outdoor learning. The school is accredited and integrates Catholic faith into daily life, helping children develop reverence for the liturgy and an appreciation of God's creation. The Preschool, in operation for more than 30 years, uses a Common Core-aligned, project-based curriculum with self-checking learning materials and weekly science, art, and faith experiences, including a summer 'Science Camp.'
- St. Mary School — Preschool through Grade 8 (stmesc.org); (760) 743-3431
- St. Mary Preschool — (760) 705-9906; 30+ years of operation
- Three new school buildings, new playground, peace garden, greenbelt
- Project-based curriculum aligned with Common Core
- Summer Science Camp with weekly themes (physics, space, fossils, ocean life, nature art)
Parish Ministries and Devotions
St. Mary offers more than two dozen lay ministries and devotional groups. The historic Altar and Rosary Society (1895) maintains the altar, vestments, eucharistic vessels, and flowers, and has historically run a thrift shop, raised funds for outreach, and supported Interfaith Community Services. Other groups include the Legion of Mary, Divine Mercy devotion, Devotion to the Holy Face, Pro-Life Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Filipino American Community, Perpetual Adoration adorers, St. Vincent de Paul outreach, the parish Gift Shop, and a youth group.
- Altar and Rosary Society (founded 1895)
- Legion of Mary
- Divine Mercy Devotion
- Devotion to the Holy Face
- Pro-Life Ministry
- Filipino American Community
- Young Adult Ministry (18–36)
- Youth Group (13–18)
- Perpetual Adoration Adorers (English & Spanish contacts: Donna Oeland 619-888-5751, Rafael Trejo 760-717-1596)
- Parish Gift Shop
Contact and Office Information
The parish office is located at 1170 South Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025, and can be reached at (760) 745-1611 (fax 442-248-8600). The office is open Monday–Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed for lunch 12:00–2:00 pm. The After-Hours Emergency Line for Anointing of the Sick and Last Rites is (858) 375-3075. Bulletin and communications requests may be emailed to [email protected].
- Address: 1170 South Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025
- Main Phone: (760) 745-1611
- Fax: (442) 248-8600
- Bulletin / Communications email: [email protected]
- After-Hours Emergency (Anointing / Last Rites): (858) 375-3075
- School: (760) 743-3431
- Preschool: (760) 705-9906
- Religious Education: (760) 745-1611 x806