About St. Paul · San Pablo, California
St. Paul Catholic Church is a multilingual parish in San Pablo, California, in the Diocese of Oakland. Established in 1869 (according to GCatholic) and reportedly dating back to a mission church founded in 1864 by Old St. Mary's of Oakland, it is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the East Bay. The parish is served by Conventual Franciscan Friars (OFM Conv.) and today worships in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, and Khmu, reflecting the diverse communities of western Contra Costa County. The parish operates St. Paul Catholic School (K–8) and runs a wide range of ministries for youth, families, and those in need.
- Established
- 1869
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Lazaro Sandoval, OFM Conv.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Oakland
Why belong here
St. Paul Catholic Church is a Conventual Franciscan parish where a single Sunday can include Mass in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Tagalog — a remarkable reflection of the Bay Area's diversity. The parish pairs that liturgical richness with a Catholic school (K–8), bilingual faith formation and Confirmation programs, a vibrant Charismatic prayer group (Pueblo Santo), Couples for Christ, a Youth Group called Maranatha, and an active St. Vincent de Paul Society that runs a weekly food pantry. Under the motto "Deus Meus et Omnia" ("My God and My All"), the pastor and friars invite newcomers to worship, learn, and serve alongside them — making it a natural spiritual home for families, young adults, and the wider San Pablo community.
Mass times at St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (and by appointment)
About St. Paul Catholic Church
St. Paul Catholic Church is a multicultural Catholic parish in San Pablo, California, served by Conventual Franciscan Friars (OFM Conv.) and belonging to the Diocese of Oakland. Its mission is summed up in the Franciscan motto "Deus Meus et Omnia" — "My God and My All." The parish worships in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese, and Khmu, and offers faith formation, a K–8 Catholic school, and a range of ministries for youth, families, and the wider community.
- Founded as a mission in the 1860s; parish established 1869
- Served by Conventual Franciscan Friars
- Diocese of Oakland
- Six liturgical languages
History of the Parish
St. Paul's roots in San Pablo go back to 1864, when it began as a Mission church of Old St. Mary's in Oakland and was reportedly the only Catholic church between Vallejo and Oakland. The parish is formally dated to 1869 by GCatholic. The Conventual Franciscans have long staffed the parish. In 1952 the parish opened St. Paul Catholic School, originally run by the Sisters of Notre Dame of Cleveland; the Sisters withdrew in the late 1970s and leadership passed to lay professionals, with the Conventual Franciscans continuing to collaborate on its mission today. The parish's street — Church Lane — is a reminder of the church's long presence on land once associated with the Emeric family estate.
- Mission founded ~1864 by Old St. Mary's, Oakland
- Parish formally established 1869
- St. Paul Catholic School opened September 3, 1952
- Sisters of Notre Dame of Cleveland staffed the school from 1952 until the late 1970s
- First 8th-grade class graduated in 1957
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Conventual Franciscans and supported by a deacon, parish secretary, bookkeeper, and school administration. The current team is published on the parish's Clergy & Staff page.
- Rev. Fr. Lazaro Sandoval, OFM Conv. — Pastor (Ext. 213)
- Rev. Fr. Tuan Nguyen, OFM Conv. — Parochial Vicar (Ext. 212)
- Rev. Fr. Anthony Howard, OFM Conv. — Parochial Vicar (Ext. 216)
- Resident Priest — OFM Conv. (Ext. 221)
- Rev. Mr. Arturo Jimerez — Deacon (Ext. 210)
- Skip Mata — Bookkeeper (Ext. 221)
- Irma Martinez — Parish Secretary
- Ms. Erma Flores — School Principal (510-233-3080)
- Ms. Melina Mora — School Secretary (Ext. 100)
Sacramental Schedule & Devotions
Confessions are heard every Saturday afternoon and by appointment. The parish gathers weekly for the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Wednesday evenings.
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (and by appointment)
- Novena – Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Wednesday 7:00 PM
Sacraments
The parish prepares families and individuals for the sacraments of initiation and marriage. Baptisms are celebrated monthly in English on Saturdays (and in Spanish by appointment with mandatory pre-baptismal class). Confirmation is offered in Spanish for youth (Friday evenings, 6:00–9:00 PM) with limited capacity, and an adult Confirmation track is also available in Spanish; English Confirmation classes are no longer offered at the parish. Couples must contact the parish office for marriage preparation and reservations.
- Baptism (English): monthly on Saturdays; Spanish by appointment with pre-baptismal class the first Wednesday of the baptism month
- Confirmation (Spanish youth): Fridays 6:00–9:00 PM, capacity 35–40; one-year program including classes, Masses, 10 service hours, and a retreat
- Marriage: by reservation; requires recent Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation certificates, priest interview, and two witnesses
- First Reconciliation / First Communion via Faith Formation
- Confession: Saturdays 3:30–4:30 PM and by appointment
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at St. Paul covers catechetical preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion, an annual Sacramental Preparation track, and Marriage Preparation. The Religious Education office can be reached at (510) 734-4725, and the Confirmation Program at (510) 262-3180.
- Religious Education: (510) 734-4725
- Confirmation Program: (510) 262-3180
- First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation
- Marriage Preparation track
- Adult Confirmation in Spanish
Ministries & Groups
St. Paul runs a wide array of liturgical, devotional, service, and family ministries — many bilingual in English and Spanish — that let parishioners of all ages get involved.
- Eucharistic Ministers / Ministros de la Eucaristía
- Altar Servers / Monaguillos
- Lectors / Lectores
- Ushers / Ujieres
- Sacristans / Sacristanes
- Youth Group Maranatha
- Grupo de Oración Carismático "Pueblo Santo" (Charismatic Prayer Group)
- Couples for Christ / Parejas para Cristo
- Escuela de Evangelización
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. Vincent de Paul & Outreach
The parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society serves neighbors in need with food, clothing, and other essentials. The food pantry distributes on Thursdays from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 1850 Church Lane, San Pablo. Contact: Luis Mejia, (510) 691-6404.
- Food Pantry: Thursdays, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
- Location: 1850 Church Lane, San Pablo, CA
- Contact: Luis Mejia — (510) 691-6404
St. Paul Catholic School
St. Paul Catholic School is a K–8 parish school and a ministry of St. Paul Church. It opened September 3, 1952 with 184 students in grades 1–4 under founding principal Sister Mary Agnessine and the Sisters of Notre Dame of Cleveland, with an original tuition of $2.00 per month. The first 8th-grade class graduated in 1957. The Sisters withdrew in the late 1970s and lay professionals now lead the school, working with the Conventual Franciscan Friars, the Diocese of Oakland, faculty, staff, and parents to provide a faith-based education. Current principal Ms. Erma Flores can be reached at (510) 233-3080.
- Opened September 3, 1952
- Originally staffed by Sisters of Notre Dame of Cleveland
- K–8 elementary school
- First 8th-grade class: 1957
- Principal: Ms. Erma Flores — (510) 233-3080
- Secretary: Ms. Melina Mora — Ext. 100
- Address: 1825 Church Lane, San Pablo, CA 94806
Visit, Contact & Parish Life
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM), and closed Friday through Sunday. Mass-goers can find recent facility upgrades — including a new accessibility ramp, parking lot improvements, and a new sports-field gate — completed thanks to parishioner support. The annual St. Paul Festival is a major community gathering held in late June.
- Address: 1845 Church Lane, San Pablo, CA 94806
- Phone: (510) 232-5931
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM (closed 12–1 PM for lunch); closed Fri–Sun
- New accessibility ramp, parking lot, and sports-field gate recently installed
- Annual St. Paul Festival: day of faith, fun, and community