About St. Paul · Tranquillity, California
St. Paul Catholic Church is a bilingual (English and Spanish) parish in the small rural community of Tranquillity, in western Fresno County, California, serving the people of Tranquillity together with its mission parish, St. Vincent de Paul in San Joaquin, as a single Catholic Christian community. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Fresno and is currently administered by priests of the Society of Missionaries of the Marian Month of Mary (SMMM). Welcoming all to the celebration of God's love, the community gathers for Sunday Mass in both English and Spanish, offers weekly confession, prepares parishioners for the sacraments, runs a youth group, and partners with Catholic Charities for monthly food distribution. The parish celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024, marking a century of Catholic faith, family, and farm-country life on the West Side.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Marcelinus Ekenedo, SMMM (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fresno
Why belong here
St. Paul's is a small, family-friendly bilingual parish where the entire Catholic Christian community of Tranquillity and San Joaquin worship together — Mass is offered in both English and Spanish every Sunday, weekday Mass is celebrated on Fridays, and confessions are heard weekly. The parish supports families through sacramental preparation for baptism, marriage, and quinceañera, runs a youth group for the community's young people, and partners with Catholic Charities to host a monthly food distribution for neighbors in need. As a parish nearing its second century, it offers a quiet, rooted place to grow in faith, raise a family, and serve the West Side of Fresno County.
Mass times at St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday, 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM (St. Paul, Tranquillity)
- Thursday, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM (St. Vincent de Paul, San Joaquin)
- Friday, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (St. Patrick, Kerman)
History of St. Paul's Parish
Catholic life in Tranquillity began in 1919 when Fr. Foyne of St. John's Cathedral in Fresno first celebrated Mass at Tranquillity High School at the request of local families. The area was cared for by the Priests of St. Alphonsus from 1920 to 1924. Dr. Janss donated the land and $500 toward building a church, and in 1924 Fr. Francis McAuliffe, with help from the Catholic Extension Society, completed St. Paul's Church. Families bought pews for $50 each, donated doors, statues, and religious articles, and Mrs. Maria Machado donated a Baptismal font that is now in use at the mission parish in San Joaquin.
- 1919 — First Mass celebrated by Fr. Foyne of St. John's Cathedral at Tranquillity High School.
- 1920–1924 — Care of the area by the Priests of St. Alphonsus.
- 1924 — Fr. Francis McAuliffe completes St. Paul's Church with help of the Catholic Extension Society.
- Within two years, the adobe shifted and the church split down the middle; re-braced by Frank and George Gragnani.
- 1999 — Parish celebrated its 75th anniversary.
- 2024 — Parish celebrated its 100th anniversary with a commemorative photo-book project.
The Church Building, Altar and Art
St. Paul's was built in 1924 as an adobe church, and many of its original furnishings remain. Frank Martin and George Gragnani built the altar that is still used today. Under the long pastorate of Fr. Michael W. Cariglia (1975–1996), the parish added artwork, padded pews, restrooms, and air conditioning, and Fr. Cariglia personally designed the stained-glass windows and the mural project. The stained glass includes the seven sacraments, the symbols of the Church, and the life of Jesus (the glass artist slipped in a subtle self-portrait of Fr. Cariglia as a bald follower on the Sermon panel).
- Original 1924 altar built by Frank Martin and George Gragnani — still in use.
- Stained-glass windows designed by Fr. Michael W. Cariglia depicting the seven sacraments and the life of Jesus.
- Seven-panel mural arch behind the altar painted by artist Sue St. Johns portraying scenes from the life of St. Paul.
- Parishioner Joe Armas served as the model for St. Paul in the murals.
- Memorial plaque honoring Fr. Cariglia and a statue of St. Francis placed at the side entrance in 1999.
Our Priests — Current and Past
St. Paul's has been served by a long succession of priests since 1924. Today the parish is led by three members of the Society of Missionaries of the Marian Month of Mary (SMMM): Fr. Marcelinus Ekenedo as Administrator, together with Parochial Vicars Fr. John Agwu and Fr. Bartholomew Ifionu.
- Current Administrator: Rev. Fr. Marcelinus Ekenedo, SMMM
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. John Agwu, SMMM
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Bartholomew Ifionu, SMMM
- Longest-serving pastor on record: Rev. Michael W. Cariglia (1975–1996)
- Founding pastor: Rev. Francis McAuliffe (1924–1927)
The Rectory
The original rectory was a small two-bedroom house with screened porches attached directly to the church; all priests through Fr. Nelson lived there, and families like the Selzers cleaned it weekly. After the Millers moved out, chickens that had been kept in the porches required a major clean-up for the next priest, who inherited many cats that he fed and defleaed and affectionately called the parish cleaning ladies his 'Josephines.' In 1955 the Portuguese Lodge donated the lot by the hall for a new rectory; John Palmier of Firebaugh built the house, and the parish held a housewarming with gifts of furniture, dishes, linens, lamps, and clocks. Mrs. Elias was housekeeper for Fr. Kelly. Later pastors left their own marks: Fr. Higgins enclosed half the carport for a rock-polishing room (now storage); Fr. Cariglia filled the house with his own furniture, paintings, and books; Fr. Bede brought spices, music, and videos of Sri Lanka; and Fr. Oscar planted flowers along the walk.
Sacraments
The parish prepares families and individuals for the sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, and Quinceañera, and offers Mass Intentions. Updated fees and forms for 2026 are posted on the parish website. Couples must meet with the priest at least six months before marriage, and Quinceañera arrangements should also begin at least six months in advance.
- Baptism — third Saturday of the month at 10:00 AM; pre-baptism class required; birth certificate needed; $50
- Matrimony — $600 parishioners / $700 from another parish; 6 months advance appointment
- Quinceañera — $600; 6 months advance arrangements
- Mass Intentions — $10 per intention, max 7 per family per year; book 2–3 months ahead
- Certificates & Letters of Recommendation — $20
Ministries and Outreach
St. Paul's runs a youth group that meets every Thursday evening in San Joaquin, and partners with Catholic Charities to host a monthly food distribution at the church for neighbors in need. The parish also welcomes ongoing stewardship through weekly tithing, which may be mailed to the parish office during periods when in-person worship is limited.
- Youth Group — Thursdays at 6:30 PM, San Joaquin
- Catholic Charities Food Distribution — every third Tuesday of the month at St. Paul Church
- Weekly Tithing / Stewardship support (mail-in option available)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis McAuliffe1924–1927
Founding pastor; completed St. Paul's Church with help of the Catholic Extension Society.
- Rev. Thomas J. O'Brien1927–1929
- Rev. John Schritz1929–1930
- Rev. Barnard Habraken1930–1932
- Rev. John Foley1932–1934
- Rev. John Turner1934
- Rev. James Dillon1934–1939
- Rev. John Nelson1939–1943
- Mission of Kerman (Rev. Dennis O'Hara)1943–1953
Parish operated the mission of Kerman during this period.
- Rev. James Kelly1953–1960
Lived in the new rectory built in 1955; the Altar Society surprised him with a sidewalk while he was on vacation in Ireland.
- Rev. Joseph Eberhardt1960–1969
First priest to face the congregation in compliance with Vatican II.
- Rev. Joseph C. Barnes1969–1971
Communion rail was removed during his years.
- Rev. C. V. Higgins1971–1975
The angels on the altar 'flew away' under his watch and returned just in time for the 75th anniversary.
- Rev. Michael W. Cariglia1975–1996
Longest-serving pastor; added artwork, padded pews, restrooms, air conditioning; designed the stained-glass windows and the mural project.
- Rev. John Griesbach1996
Administrator.
- Rev. Bede De Silva1996–1999
Associate; brought exotic spices, music and videos of Sri Lanka.
- Rev. Oscar Gutierrez1999
Associate; did spring cleaning and flower planting along the walk.
- Fr. Gaspar Bautista1999
- Fr. Raul Diaz2000–2001
- Fr. Arturo Gomez2001
- Fr. Miguel Flores2001–2002
- Fr. Edgar Jiminez2002–2004
- Fr. Fintan Whelan2004–2005
- Fr. David Reed & Fr. Marcelinus Ekenedo2006–2016
Ten-year joint pastorship.
- Fr. David Reed & Fr. Juan Maldonado2016
- Fr. David Reed, Fr. Rayanna Pudota & Fr. Gonzalo Siller Ramirez2017
- Fr. Rayanna Pudota & Fr. Gonzalo Ramirez2017–2018
- Rev. Marcelinus Ekenedo, Rev. John Okeke Agwu & Rev. Bartholomew Ifionu2018–present
Current pastoral team, all from the Society of Missionaries of the Marian Month of Mary (SMMM).