About St. Paul · Winnemucca, Nevada
St. Paul's Catholic Church is the only Catholic parish in Winnemucca, a railroad town of roughly 7,000 in northern Nevada's Humboldt County. The parish was established in 1883 along the Central Pacific Railroad line to serve the Irish, Italian, and Basque Catholic families who built the community, and it continues that mission today under Father Jose "Pepe" Sobarzo. The current church — a striking white stuccoed Neo-Romanesque building with twin Renaissance-style towers — was completed in 1924 and marked its centennial in October 2024. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Reno, celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish, and live-streams its services on Facebook.
- Established
- 1883
- Patron
- Saint Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Father Jose "Pepe" Sobarzo (Sobarzo Guerra)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Reno
Why belong here
St. Paul's is the only Catholic parish in Winnemucca, making it a natural spiritual home for any Catholic family or visitor in Humboldt County. The parish welcomes both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking faithful, with a Spanish Mass every Sunday, a bilingual mission statement, and a Spanish prayer group among its active ministries. Parish life is supported by longstanding groups such as the Knights of Columbus, the Altar Society, and Bible Study, plus a dedicated ministry to the sick and homebound — and for those who cannot attend in person, Mass is live-streamed on Facebook.
Mass times at St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- By appointment
Parish History
St. Paul's Parish traces its roots to 1883, when it was established along the Central Pacific Railroad line in Winnemucca to serve the Irish, Italian, and Basque Catholic families settling northern Nevada. The original small wooden church was replaced by the present building in 1924, designed by San Francisco architect J. J. Foley in a blend of medieval Italian and Spanish Renaissance forms. In October 2024, the parish celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 1924 building with a weekend parade, fair, and dinner at the Winnemucca Convention Hall. A book documenting the parish's story — 'St. Paul's Parish: A Journey of Faith and Love' by Barbara Mentaberry — is sold through the Humboldt Museum.
- Parish established 1883 along the Central Pacific Railroad
- Original small wooden church replaced by current 1924 building
- Designed by San Francisco architect J. J. Foley
- Centennial of the 1924 church celebrated October 19–20, 2024
Architecture & Building
The 1924 church is the most architecturally significant religious building in the region. It blends a Neo-Romanesque body with twin towers in a late Renaissance style — a deliberate stylistic choice meant to evoke medieval and Counter-Reformation devotion and to assert the size and permanence of the local Catholic community. The cruciform plan, curved apse, rose window, and white stuccoed walls (a 1990 renovation) make it a visible landmark throughout Winnemucca.
- Neo-Romanesque body with twin Renaissance-style towers
- Stuccoed reinforced concrete walls, painted brilliant white in 1990
- Cruciform plan with short transept and curved apse
- Rose window above main entrance; louvered belfries topped by crosses
- Octagonal cupolas on each tower
Clergy & Staff
St. Paul's is shepherded by Father Jose "Pepe" Sobarzo (also listed as Father Jose Sobarzo Guerra), a priest from Ensenada, Mexico, who serves as pastor. The Diocese of Reno, like many dioceses in the American West, has long welcomed priests from other countries to staff its parishes. Alexandra Gonzalez serves as parish secretary and is a regular point of contact for the parish office.
- Father Jose "Pepe" Sobarzo (Sobarzo Guerra) — Pastor
- Alexandra Gonzalez — Parish Secretary
Parish Mission & Bilingual Identity
St. Paul's mission statement is published in both English and Spanish: 'Our mission at St. Paul's is to love unconditionally, serve joyfully, and guided by the Holy Spirit, live the gospel of Jesus Christ.' The Spanish-language version reads: 'Nuestra misión en San Pablo es de amar incondicionalmente, servir con alegría, orar con fe, y ser guiados por el Espíritu Santo, y vivir el evangelio de Jesucristo.' This bilingual identity is reflected in the Sunday Mass schedule, the parish's Spanish prayer group, and its outreach.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) mission statement
- Weekly Sunday Mass in Spanish at 11:30 AM
- Active Spanish prayer group among the parish ministries
Ministries & Groups
The parish supports a small but active network of lay ministries that serve both the spiritual and material needs of the Winnemucca community. Groups listed by the parish include the Knights of Columbus, the Altar Society, a Bible Study group, a Spanish prayer group, and a ministry to the sick and homebound.
- Knights of Columbus
- Altar Society
- Bible Study
- Spanish prayer group
- Ministry to the sick and homebound
Sacraments & Devotions
The sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation are celebrated according to the schedule above. The parish's ministry to the sick and homebound ensures that Catholics who cannot attend Mass in person remain connected to the parish, and Mass is also live-streamed on Facebook for the same reason.
- Eucharist: Saturday vigil, Sunday (English & Spanish), Mon–Wed noon
- Reconciliation: Saturday 4:30–5:00 PM and by appointment
- Visits to the sick and homebound
- Facebook live-stream of Sunday Mass
Centennial Celebration (2024)
On October 19–20, 2024, St. Paul's marked the 100th anniversary of its 1924 church building with a weekend of festivities hosted by the Diocese of Reno. Events included a parade, a fair, and a catered dinner at the Winnemucca Convention Hall. The dinner was catered by the famous Martin Hotel, with limited tickets sold in advance. The centennial was an invitation to all parishioners and visitors to celebrate the parish's enduring presence in the community.
- Saturday & Sunday, October 19–20, 2024
- St. Paul Centennial Parade and Fair
- Centennial Dinner at Winnemucca Convention Hall, catered by The Martin Hotel
- All welcome and invited