About St. Mary · Walnut Creek, California
St. Mary Catholic Church (formally St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception) is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Walnut Creek, California, belonging to the Diocese of Oakland. The parish traces its origins to 1883 as a mission founded by Father Lawrence Serda and was designated as a parish on July 1, 1941. Today it serves a large and diverse community with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish, a parish elementary school, a dedicated Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, and more than a dozen active ministries serving youth, families, the Hispanic and Filipino-American communities, and those in need through St. Vincent de Paul. Its mission statement is 'To Know and Love Christ, and Make Him Better Known.'
- Established
- 1883 (as mission); 1941 (as parish)
- Patron
- St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Father William Rosario
- Diocese
- Diocese of Oakland
Why belong here
St. Mary is one of the oldest continuously operating Catholic communities in California, with a clear mission 'to know and love Christ, and make him better known.' Parishioners find a bilingual (English and Spanish) liturgical life with four Sunday Masses and weekday Masses, an affiliated K–8 elementary school, an extensive Faith Formation program for children through young adults, and a dedicated Eucharistic Adoration Chapel open almost every day of the week. Its ministries reach well beyond the parish walls through a food pantry, St. Vincent de Paul, Hospital Ministry, and Hispanic, Filipino-American, Knights of Columbus, and Young Adult groups, making it a place where new arrivals, returning Catholics, and long-time families alike can plug in and serve.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (in the Church)
Adoration times
- Sunday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM (in the Adoration Chapel, 2039 Mt. Diablo Blvd.)
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- First Friday Overnight Adoration: 8:00 PM – 9:00 AM
Our Story: From Crossroads Mission to Walnut Creek Parish
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception has roots stretching back to 1883, when Father Lawrence Serda began riding on horseback from Sacred Heart in Oakland to celebrate Mass for about ten families in what was then called 'The Crossroads.' A redwood-framed mission church was dedicated in 1884; the parish as it exists today was constituted on July 1, 1941, with the present concrete Romanesque / California Mission church dedicated by Archbishop Mitty in 1940.
- 1883 — Father Lawrence Serda founds St. Mary Mission
- 1884 — Red-framed mission church dedicated by Archbishop Alemany (October 12)
- 1937 — Caldecott Tunnel opens, sparking Walnut Creek's growth
- 1939 — Land purchased outside city limits; concrete church construction begins
- May 12, 1940 (Pentecost) — Archbishop Mitty consecrates the new church under the title St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
- July 1, 1941 — Mission becomes a parish; Father Louis Miller installed as first pastor
- 1960 — St. Mary Elementary School opens
- 1998 — Bell tower and bells added under Father John Mallon
- December 8, 2019 — Adoration Chapel commissioned under Father Fred Riccio
Mission, Vision and Pastoral Leadership
The parish mission statement is simply: 'To Know and Love Christ, and Make Him Better Known.' St. Mary is currently led by Father William Rosario as Pastor, supported by Parochial Vicars Father Bich Nguyen and Father Rolando 'Bart' Bartolay (who is also shared with neighboring St. John Vianney).
- Pastor: Fr. William Rosario ([email protected])
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Bich Nguyen
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Rolando 'Bart' Bartolay (shared with St. John Vianney)
- Office Manager: Ana Lau
- Bookkeeper: Aileen Baker
- Music Director: Pawel Walerowski / Charlene Escalante
Mass and the Sacrament of Penance
Daily Mass is celebrated twice on weekdays, with an additional Mass on Saturday morning and a Saturday Vigil, plus four Sunday Masses including one in Spanish. The Sacrament of Penance is offered every Saturday afternoon in the church.
- Weekday Mass: Monday–Friday 6:30 AM and 12:05 PM (livestreamed)
- Saturday Mass: 8:30 AM (livestreamed)
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM
- Sunday Mass: 7:00 AM, 9:30 AM (livestreamed), 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM Spanish (livestreamed)
- Confession: Saturdays 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM, in the church
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception School
The parish operates St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Elementary School, which opened in 1960 after years of advocacy and planning by Father Joseph McLaughlin and is currently led by Principal Jenny Bellows.
- Address: 1158 Bont Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
- Phone: (925) 935-5054
- Principal: Jenny Bellows ([email protected])
- Vice Principal: Maureen Kimm
- Office Manager: Jennifer Cushing
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Faith Formation at St. Mary spans toddlers through adults, with age-specific groups branded by name (TORCH, KINDLE, SPARK, IGNITE) and a full OCIA process for adults entering the Church. The parish uses the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium method for younger children and runs an annual Vacation Bible Camp.
- Family Faith Formation (TORCH)
- 4th & 5th Grade Youth Group (KINDLE)
- Middle School Youth Group, grades 6–8 (SPARK)
- High School Youth Group (IGNITE)
- Youth Confirmation preparation
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Vacation Bible Camp (summer)
- Young Adult Group
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — contact Tim Mannix
- RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children ages 6–18)
- FORMED online faith content
- Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry: Marlene Lee
- Director of Adult Faith Formation: Tim Mannix
- Director of Next Gen & Small Faith Groups: Beverly Fung
Sacramental Preparation
In addition to Reconciliation offered weekly, St. Mary prepares parishioners for Matrimony, Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation and the Anointing of the Sick. Engaged couples are asked to contact Fr. William Rosario at the Parish Office at least a year before their wedding.
- Matrimony — arrangements begin with Fr. William Rosario; at least 12 months advance
- Baptism / First Communion / Confirmation — through Faith Formation and OCIA/RCIC
- Anointing of the Sick — through the Parish Office and Hospital Ministry
Parish Ministries, Outreach and Community Life
More than a dozen lay-led ministries support parish life, spiritual growth, and outreach beyond the parish boundaries. St. Vincent de Paul operates a food pantry, and cultural ministries serve the Hispanic and Filipino-American communities of Walnut Creek.
- Knights of Columbus (Grand Knight: John Cuddihy)
- St. Vincent de Paul (Barb Erickson) — food pantry
- Hispanic Ministry (Angeles Ron)
- Filipino-American Ministry (Elena Gaoiran)
- Hospital Ministry (Angeles Ron)
- Hospitality / Coffee & Donuts (Claudia Christy)
- Men of St. Joseph (Mike Gallagher)
- Walking with Purpose women's Scripture study (Mary Kerfs)
- Cursillo Saturday Group (Bob Conlon)
- Rosary Makers (Ana Lau)
- Young Adult Group (Bridget Ballard)
- Finance Council (Brian Mulligan)
- Eucharistic Adoration coordination (Ana Lau)
Visiting, Registering and Joining the Parish
St. Mary welcomes new arrivals, returning Catholics, and anyone curious about the faith. Visitors are invited to register online, stop by the Parish Office at 2051 Mt. Diablo Blvd., or begin with a simple conversation by calling (925) 891-8900. The parish also livestreams Masses for those at home or traveling.
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM for daily Mass)
- Register online at stmary-wc.org or in person at the Parish Office
- Phone: (925) 891-8900
- Mass livestreams: 12:05 PM weekday, 8:30 AM Saturday, 9:30 AM Sunday, 1:30 PM Sunday Spanish
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Lawrence Serda1883–
Founder; pastor of Sacred Heart Oakland who rode on horseback to found St. Mary Mission. Ordained at All Hallows Seminary.
- Father Louis Miller1939–1948
Pastor of St. Isidore Danville; purchased the parcel outside Walnut Creek city limits, oversaw construction of the 1940 concrete church, and was installed as St. Mary's first pastor when it became a parish on July 1, 1941.
- Father Joseph McLaughlin1948–
Advocated for a parish school, oversaw an addition raising seating to 520; St. Mary Elementary School opened in 1960 under his tenure.
- Father Daniel Cosgrove1969–
Added the parish hall and gym and installed the current stained-glass windows.
- Father John Mallon1983–
Arrived during the 100th anniversary of St. Mary; native of County Leitrim, Ireland; All Hallows Seminary alumnus. Oversaw the 1998 tower and bells and the sanctuary renovation.
- Father Paulson Mundanmani2006–2014
Led a major capital campaign that acquired the current Parish Office and Faith Formation buildings, demolished the former rectory, and founded the future Adoration Chapel.
- Father Fred Riccio2014–
Designed and built the Adoration Chapel, commissioned December 8, 2019, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
- Father William Rosariopresent
Current pastor.