About St. Mary Parish, Gilroy · Gilroy, California
St. Mary Parish is the historic Catholic parish of downtown Gilroy, California — the southernmost city in the Diocese of San Jose — and has been serving the South County Catholic community for more than 150 years. Founded in 1865, it is the spiritual center of a bilingual (English/Spanish) congregation that worships at six weekend Masses, plus daily Mass in both languages. The parish community is built on what it calls its 'three-legged' identity: the Parish itself, St. Mary School (on Church Street, run for generations by the Presentation Sisters), and St. Joseph Family Center, the social-service arm that grew out of the 1961 St. Mary Catholic Ladies Aid Society welfare center.
- Established
- 1865
- Patron
- St. Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary) — also referred to as 'St. Mary of the Assumption' on some directory listings
- Rector
- Fr. Michael Hendrickson
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Jose (since 1981; previously Archdiocese of San Francisco from 1932, and before that the original Diocese of Monterey-Los Angeles)
Why belong here
St. Mary is a bilingual Catholic home that takes seriously the call to reach the 'peripheries' — the poor, immigrant, homeless, incarcerated, elderly, mentally ill, unborn, and trafficked in South County — through parish, school, and the St. Joseph Family Center working together. With six Sunday Masses (three in English, three in Spanish), active youth and Confirmation ministries, an RCIA journey offered in both languages, a thriving Presentation-Sisters Catholic school, and a long roster of parish groups (Knights of Columbus, Discalced Carmelites, Marriage Encounter, Fil-Am community, and more), it offers every age and background a way to belong, serve, and grow.
Mass times at St. Mary Parish, Gilroy
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 3:30 PM (Sábados a las 3:30pm)
- By appointment (o haciendo cita)
History of St. Mary Parish
St. Mary Parish was founded in 1865 by Father Thomas Joseph Hudson on Monterey Street in downtown Gilroy — then in the far northern reach of the Diocese of Monterey-Los Angeles. The parish was relocated in 1926 to the corner of Monterey and First Streets; in 1932 Gilroy was transferred to the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and in 1981 St. Mary became part of the new Diocese of San Jose. The present church, the third on the site, was dedicated in December 1965. The adjacent Old St. Mary Cemetery, established alongside the parish in 1865, still rests on its original location and holds the graves of John Gilroy, Jose Maria Amador, parish benefactress Catherine O'Toole Murphy Dunne, and 22 pioneers moved from a San Martin chapel cemetery.
- Founded 1865 by Fr. Thomas Joseph Hudson (served 43 years)
- First church dedicated December 1865 on Monterey Street
- Parish relocated to Monterey & First Streets in 1926
- Current church (third on the site) dedicated December 1965
- Joined Diocese of San Jose at its creation in 1981
A 'Three-Legged' Parish: Parish, School, and St. Joseph Family Center
The parish community understands itself as three intertwined ministries. St. Mary Parish is the worshipping community; St. Mary School, established in 1871 by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and run by the Presentation Sisters since 1890, has educated generations of Gilroy children; and St. Joseph Family Center, born of a 1961 welfare initiative by the St. Mary Catholic Ladies Aid Society, now serves as the social-service arm of a consortium of local churches, businesses, and individuals.
- St. Mary School, 7900 Church Street (408) 842-2827
- Presentation Sisters of Fitzburg, MA — in the school since 1890
- St. Joseph Family Center, 7950 Church Street, Suite A
Pastor and Parish Staff
Fr. Michael Hendrickson has served as pastor of St. Mary since 2019. A California native and Morgan Hill-raised former U.S. Navy officer and chaplain, he was ordained for the Diocese of San Jose in 2001, served as a chaplain with the Marines in Okinawa and aboard USS IWO JIMA, and was previously pastor of St. Victor Parish (2008) and St. Francis Cabrini (2013). He is assisted by Fr. Francisco Miramontes (Parochial Vicar) and Fr. Jose Rubio (Retired in Residence).
- Fr. Michael Hendrickson — Pastor ([email protected])
- Fr. Francisco Miramontes — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Fr. Jose Rubio — Retired in Residence ([email protected])
- Debbie Pelliccione — Office Manager
- Rebeca Aldaz — Administrative Assistant
- Marcee Ervin — School Principal
- Lawrence Garibaldi — Facilities
- Carlos Barba — Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
- Mariaelena Tantalo — Religious Education Director
- Homar Grajales — Director of Spanish Religious Education
- Emerita Murillo — Religious Education Secretary
- Rose Barry — Liturgy contact ([email protected])
- David Cox — St. Joseph's Family Center ([email protected])
Liturgical Ministries
St. Mary has a long-standing tradition of lay participation in its worship. Liturgical ministry is described as 'the work of the people' — altar servers begin in fifth grade after First Communion, lectors proclaim the Word at the five weekend Masses, lay Eucharistic ministers (some of whom bring Communion to the homebound) offer the Body and Blood to the assembly, and parish choirs of all skill levels lead sung prayer.
- Altar Servers (training twice a year; begin in 5th grade)
- Lectors (quarterly formation and training)
- Lay Eucharistic Ministers (quarterly formation; some serve the homebound)
- Choir (rehearses weekly; all skill levels welcome)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education and sacramental preparation are led from the Religious Education Office at 7950 Church Street, Rm 100. The Sacramental Preparation Program is a two-year journey (Year 1 and Year 2) for children in grades 1–8 preparing for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, with weekly sessions on Sundays (9:15–10:45 AM) or Mondays (3:30–5:00 PM). A separate two-year Confirmation journey meets monthly on Sunday afternoons for high-school candidates.
- Sacramental Preparation Program (grades 1–8): Sundays 9:15–10:45 AM or Mondays 3:30–5:00 PM
- Registration fee: $60
- Director: Mariaelena Tantalo ([email protected], ext. 121)
- Director of Spanish Religious Education: Homar Grajales
- High School Confirmation: contact Carlos Barba ([email protected], (408) 337-2668)
Becoming Catholic (RCIA / RICA)
St. Mary hosts the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults in both English and Spanish for anyone curious about the Catholic faith, baptized-Catholics seeking full initiation, or adults preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion/Eucharist).
- English inquiries: Rose Barry, (408) 847-5151 ext. 105 — [email protected]
- English inquiries: Fr. Michael Hendrickson, ext. 103
- Spanish inquiries: Emerita Murillo ([email protected])
Youth Ministry
St. Mary's Youth Ministry serves middle- and high-school students (grades 6–12) with weekly meetings every Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the Youth Center (next to the Our Lady of Guadalupe grotto), September through June, plus an annual Summer Series of on- and off-site events in July and August. The program focuses on faith, friendship, and fun in a safe, casual environment.
- Youth Group: Wednesdays 7:00–8:00 PM, Youth Center
- Summer Series: July–August
- Contact: Carlos Barba, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry — [email protected], (408) 337-2668
Parish Groups and Community Life
St. Mary describes itself as 'a family of families,' and its parish groups reflect the multicultural community of South County: Spanish-language ministries (Familias Unidas, Unidad en Cristo, Grupo de Intercesión, Divina Misericordia, Llama de Amor, Soldados de Cristo, Escuela Parroquial), Filipino-American (PACG/Phil-Am), Italian-Catholic heritage (ICF), contemplative (Discalced Carmelites), marriage enrichment (Encuentro Matrimonial), and fraternal (Knights of Columbus, IFDES).
- Familias Unidas
- Unidad en Cristo
- Escuela Parroquial
- Encuentro Matrimonial / Marriage Encounter
- Discalced Carmelites
- St. Mary's Catholic Ladies
- ICF (Italian Catholic Federation)
- IFDES
- Grupo de Intercesión
- Divina Misericordia
- Llama de Amor
- PACG / Phil-Am
- Soldados de Cristo
- Knights of Columbus
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments, with dedicated preparation processes for each. Baptisms are scheduled after English preparation classes on the 1st and 2nd Wednesdays at 7:00 PM; Weddings require at least six months of preparation with the priest. Funerals, Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation each have their own formation tracks.
- Baptism: contact parish office; classes 1st & 2nd Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
- Marriage: minimum six months of preparation with the priest
- Confirmation (High School): two-year journey
- First Communion: Sacramental Preparation Program, grades 1–8
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:30 PM or by appointment
- Funerals: contact the parish office
Old St. Mary Cemetery
Established in 1866 alongside the founding of the parish and still in its original location just a short distance from the present church, Old St. Mary Cemetery contains the graves of many South Valley pioneers — including John Gilroy (the city's namesake), Jose Maria Amador, parish benefactress Catherine O'Toole Murphy Dunne, founder Fr. Thomas Joseph Hudson, and 22 bodies transferred from an older San Martin chapel cemetery. Since 2012, the 'Friends of Old St. Mary Cemetery' ad hoc committee has worked to reclaim and restore the site, with the parish donating marble from its former altar for memorial markers.
- Established 1866, blessed by Fr. Thomas Hudson
- First burial: three-day-old infant Jose Castro
- Holds graves of John Gilroy, Jose Maria Amador, Catherine O'Toole Murphy Dunne, Fr. Thomas Hudson
- 22 bodies transferred from San Martin chapel cemetery (death dates back to 1853)
- Friends of Old St. Mary Cemetery — restoration committee formed 2012
Live Stream and Online Giving
The parish livestreams its Sunday Masses at 9:00 AM (Spanish) and 11:00 AM (English), and provides an online giving option for parishioners who cannot attend in person. A YouTube channel hosts additional St. Mary Gilroy videos in both languages.
- Live stream Sundays: 9:00 AM Spanish and 11:00 AM English
- Online parish offering available on the website
Contact, Location, and Visiting
The Parish Office sits at 11 First Street in downtown Gilroy — the southernmost city in the Diocese of San Jose — and is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (closed Sunday, Monday, and Saturday). The Religious Education Office is at 7950 Church Street, Rm 100, and St. Mary School is at 7900 Church Street. St. Joseph Family Center is at 7950 Church Street, Suite A.
- Parish Office: 11 First St., Gilroy, CA 95020 — (408) 847-5151, fax (408) 847-4851
- Office hours: Tue–Fri, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Religious Education Office: 7950 Church St., Rm 100 — (408) 847-2652
- St. Mary School: 7900 Church Street — (408) 842-2827 — stmarygilroy.org
- St. Joseph Family Center: 7950 Church Street, Suite A — stjosephsgilroy.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Thomas Joseph Hudson1865–c. 1908
Founder; built the original 1865 church on Monterey Street and blessed Old St. Mary Cemetery in 1866. Served the parish for 43 years and is buried in the Old St. Mary Cemetery alongside two of his sisters.
- Fr. Michael Hendrickson2019–present
California native; Morgan Hill-raised. Former U.S. Naval Academy officer and Navy chaplain (served with Marines in Okinawa and aboard USS IWO JIMA including Hurricane Katrina relief). Previously Pastor of St. Victor Parish (2008) and St. Francis Cabrini (2013).