St. Patrick

Parish Identity & Mission

St. Patrick's Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish at 501 Fair Oaks Avenue in Arroyo Grande, California, part of the Diocese of Monterey in California. Its mission statement reads: 'As a Christ-centered family rich in tradition and cultures, we are called to live God's word. We will welcome, love and serve all people as we joyfully witness, worship and grow in our Catholic faith.' The parish describes itself as a vibrant, multicultural community of faith welcoming all people to experience the love of Christ.

History of St. Patrick's Parish

Catholic worship in the Arroyo Grande Valley began in 1881 in an old adobe house. The parish was formally established in 1886 when Irish-born Rev. Michael Lynch built the first St. Patrick's Church. The original church and parsonage burned on September 2, 1890, and were replaced the same year. Lynch was succeeded in 1903 by Rev. Frederick M. Lack, who also served the mission churches of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Guadalupe and St. Joseph's in Nipomo; by 1917 the combined congregation numbered about 2,000 adults and the mission territory stretched from Santa Maria to Edna and from the Kern County line to the Pacific. Lack died December 1, 1920, and is buried in the parish cemetery. Twenty-two priests and one religious sister have served the parish across more than 130 years, with the current pastor, Rev. José Alberto Vázquez, in office since 2016.

• 1881 — first Catholic services held in an old adobe house
• 1886 — Rev. Michael Lynch builds the first St. Patrick's Church and is appointed pastor
• 1887 — Old St. Patrick's Cemetery established on West Branch Street
• 1890 — church and parsonage destroyed by fire (Sept. 2); rebuilt that year
• 1903 — Rev. Frederick M. Lack succeeds Lynch; Lynch dies Aug. 11, 1903
• 1920 — Lack dies Dec. 1, 1920; buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery
• 1996 — Sr. Regina Roche, RSM serves briefly as Administrator
• 2016 — Rev. José Alberto Vázquez installed as pastor

Old St. Patrick's Cemetery

The parish's historic cemetery on West Branch Street was established on August 13, 1887, when local rancher John M. Price sold a sloping hillside to Bishop Francis Mora of Monterey and Los Angeles for $1.00, with the deed specifying the land was 'to be used for a Roman Catholic burial ground.' Roughly 200 souls are interred there, including both founding pastors (Lynch and Lack) and the Price family. The last burial was Kate Chapek in 1981. Wooden markers have rotted or been stolen over time, and many stone markers have been damaged by weather and vandalism; a stone and wrought-iron wall, contributed by developers Bonita Homes and Reuben Kvidt, now encloses the grounds, and the gate remains chained shut to deter further vandalism. Local genealogists and the South County Historical Society have worked to record the 'Record of Internment.'

• Founded August 13, 1887 by conveyance from John M. Price to Bishop Francis Mora
• Approximately 200 interments
• Last recorded burial: Kate Chapek, January 30, 1981
• Stone and wrought-iron wall donated by Bonita Homes and Reuben Kvidt

Clergy & Parish Staff

The parish is currently led by Rev. José Alberto Vázquez as pastor, with Rev. Abraham Barrera serving as Associate Pastor and Rev. Mr. Greg Dutra as Deacon. The staff also includes a Business Manager (Cristina Curzi), Office Manager/Bookkeeper (Juana Tlatenchi), Parish Secretary (Rosa Garcia-Baro, bilingual), Event Manager (Chantelle Conti, bilingual), Liturgy Coordinator (Laura Conti), Hispanic Ministry Coordinator, Director of Religious Education (Rachel Kovach, PhD), and parish office volunteers. A parish Outreach team is led by Lynnette Borgman, Nita Dolan, Patricia Fairbanks, and Bernadine Judson.

• Rev. José Alberto Vázquez — Pastor
• Rev. Abraham Barrera — Associate Pastor
• Rev. Mr. Greg Dutra — Deacon
• Rachel Kovach, PhD — Director of Religious Education K–12
• Juana Tlatenchi — Office Manager / Bookkeeper
• Chantelle Conti — Event Manager (Habla Español)
• Laura Conti — Liturgy Coordinator
• Rosa Garcia-Baro — Parish Secretary (Habla Español)
• Andrea Torrejón — Hispanic Ministry Coordinator
• Jerri Fife — OCIA / Adult Confirmation / Annulments
• Terri Bledsoe, L.C.S.W. — Marriage Preparation and Counseling
• Denise Barcus — Jr. High Ministry
• Outreach team: Lynnette Borgman, Nita Dolan, Patricia Fairbanks, Bernadine Judson

Faith Formation & Youth Ministry

The parish runs a robust religious-education program for children and teens under Director of Religious Education Rachel Kovach, PhD. The K–6th Grade Faith Formation Program is for children enrolled in non-Catholic schools or homeschool and meets weekly on Tuesdays from 4:30–5:30 pm at St. Patrick's School, with two catechists per class and a $40 annual fee per child. First Penance and First Eucharist are prepared through a two-year process (Diocese of Monterey) and generally received in 2nd grade. Older children and teens preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist follow the Children's Catechumenate (OCIA for Children and Teens), meeting Tuesdays 4:00–5:15 pm, with initiation typically celebrated at the Easter Vigil. A High School Youth Confirmation program is also offered.

• K–6th Grade Faith Formation (Tues 4:30–5:30 pm at St. Patrick's School)
• First Confession / First Eucharist (two-year preparation)
• OCIA for Children and Teens (Children's Catechumenate, Tues 4:00–5:15 pm)
• High School Youth Confirmation

Adult Faith: OCIA, Marriage & Annulments

Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church, adult Confirmation, or help with annulments are served by Jerri Fife (ext. 190, mobile 805-459-2535). Engaged couples preparing for marriage at St. Patrick's work with Terri Bledsoe, L.C.S.W., for Marriage Preparation and Counseling.

• OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — Jerri Fife
• Adult Confirmation
• Annulment processing — Jerri Fife
• Marriage Preparation and Counseling — Terri Bledsoe, L.C.S.W.

Hispanic / Spanish-Language Ministry

St. Patrick's has an active Hispanic Ministry led by Andrea Torrejón and supported by bilingual staff including Chantelle Conti and Rosa Garcia-Baro. The parish celebrates three regular Spanish-language Masses each week: Saturday 7:00 pm, Sunday 12:15 pm, and Tuesday 7:00 pm.

• Spanish Masses: Sat 7 pm, Sun 12:15 pm, Tue 7 pm
• Hispanic Ministry Coordinator: Andrea Torrejón

St. Patrick Catholic School

St. Patrick Catholic School is a parish preschool-through-junior-high school in Arroyo Grande. According to the school, its Schoolwide Learning Expectations focus on student growth and success, with 'living our faith and the charism of the Sisters of Mercy' foundational to its tradition of academic success and model citizenship.

• Preschool through Junior High School
• Founded in the charism of the Sisters of Mercy
• Hosts parish Faith Formation and OCIA classes on Tuesdays

Outreach, Music & Senior Ministry

The Outreach Ministry is staffed by Lynnette Borgman, Nita Dolan, Patricia Fairbanks, and Bernadine Judson (parish office extension 100). A Music Ministry supports the parish liturgies under the Liturgy Coordinator (Laura Conti), and a Senior Adult Ministry serves the older members of the parish community. Parishioners interested in any of these ministries are invited to leave a message at the parish office.

• Outreach Ministry
• Music Ministry
• Senior Adult Ministry

Mission Station — St. Francis of Assisi, Oceano

In addition to the main church in Arroyo Grande, St. Patrick's ministers to Catholics in Oceano through the mission station of St. Francis of Assisi at 1711 Beach Street, listed by the Diocese of Monterey as part of St. Patrick's parish territory.

• St. Francis of Assisi, 1711 Beach St., Oceano, CA

Visiting & Contact Information

Parishioners and visitors may reach the parish office at (805) 489-2680 or [email protected], or visit 501 Fair Oaks Avenue, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9:00 am–12:00 pm and 1:30 pm–5:00 pm; Wednesday 9:30 am–12:00 pm and 1:30 pm–5:00 pm; closed Friday through Sunday and most federal holidays. Confessions are offered Saturday 3:30–4:30 pm, Sunday 5:30 pm, and by appointment.

• Phone: (805) 489-2680
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: 501 Fair Oaks Avenue, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
• Office closed Fri–Sun and on most federal holidays