About St. Peter · Dixon, California
St. Peter the Apostle is a bilingual Catholic parish in Dixon, California, in the Diocese of Sacramento (Solano County, Yolo Deanery). Established in 1877 and worshipping today in a 1915-1916 Gothic Revival church, the parish serves a growing and culturally mixed community through three English and three Spanish weekend Masses, daily Mass in two languages, perpetual Adoration, full sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Quinceañera, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick), and roughly two dozen lay ministries. The parish shares its 105 S. 2nd Street campus with Chesterton Academy at the Valley of the Sacred Heart.
- Established
- 1877
- Patron
- St. Peter the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Ronald V. Torres (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sacramento (Yolo Deanery, Solano County)
Why belong here
St. Peter's offers a small-town Catholic community that has served Dixon for nearly 150 years, with a richly bilingual liturgical life (six weekend Masses, daily Mass in English and Spanish, and a Saturday Bilingual vigil). The parish welcomes families through full sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Quinceañera, and Marriage, and it sustains an unusually rich schedule of devotions — including more than 80 hours of weekly Adoration with 24-hour Adoration every Thursday. With about two dozen lay ministries (Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Renovación Carismática, St. Vincent de Paul, Migrant Camp, Bible Study, Pro-Life, youth and college groups, RCIA/RICA, and more), there is a clear place for nearly any talent or vocation to serve the Body of Christ here.
Mass times at St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Friday 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday 7:00 PM through Friday 8:00 AM (24-hour Adoration, Thursday into Friday)
History of the Parish
St. Peter the Apostle traces its roots to 1868, when a wooden mission church was built on what is now the parish parking lot between East A and East Mayes Streets. At the time, Dixon was part of the Suisun mission, served by Fr. L. Auger, who traveled the mission communities on horseback. In 1877, the community was formally established as a parish. The first recorded baptism (Joseph Silva, November 4, 1877) and marriage (Andrew Byrnes and Michelle Smith) took place under Fr. Patrick Ward, succeeded by Fr. John Nugent in 1878 and Fr. C. O'Connor in 1879. By the early 1900s the original wood church was too small, and the present Gothic Revival church was built at the other end of the same block — foundation laid in 1915, completed in 1916 at a cost of about $25,000. The old church served as a social hall until destroyed by fire in 1969.
- 1868 — first wooden mission church built
- 1877 — parish formally established; first baptisms by Fr. Patrick Ward
- 1915 — foundation stone laid for the present church
- 1916 — current Gothic Revival church completed (~$25,000)
- 1965 — present rectory built under Fr. James C. O'Connor
- 1969 — original 1868 church destroyed by fire
- early 1970s — parish hall built under Fr. John Kyne
- 1987 — extensive church restoration under Fr. Enrique Sanchez
- 1993 — religious education building completed under Fr. Jorge Moreno
- 2000 — parish celebrated its 132nd jubilee year
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates all seven sacraments, with particular care for family-based sacramental preparation in both English and Spanish. Baptisms are celebrated on the first Saturdays of the month, and First Communion and Confirmation are taught as two-year, family-oriented processes. Marriage and Quinceañera celebrations require at least six months of advance registration.
- Baptism: 1st Saturdays, 10:00 AM English / 1:00 PM Spanish; register ≥ 3 months ahead
- First Holy Communion: 2-year process beginning 1st grade; contact Marlene Vega or Patricia Guizar ([email protected])
- Confirmation: 2-year process beginning ~7th grade; contact Mary or Cynthia Camarena
- Marriage: 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 1:00 PM; register ≥ 6 months ahead
- Quinceañera: 3rd & 4th Saturdays, 1:00 PM; register ≥ 6 months ahead
- Anointing of the Sick: by appointment; emergencies 707-678-9424 or 707-249-0104
- RCIA / RICA: for adults seeking Baptism, Communion, or Confirmation
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Peter's is led by Fr. Ronald V. Torres as Parochial Administrator, with Fr. Pius Amah in priestly residence. Two active deacons (Daniel Blanton and John Fio) and two retired deacons (John King and Felix Lupercio) assist with parish life. Maria Cortez serves as parish secretary.
- Parochial Administrator: Fr. Ronald Torres — (707) 678-9424
- Priest in Residence: Fr. Pius Amah
- Deacon: Daniel Blanton
- Deacon: John Fio
- Deacon (Retired): John King
- Deacon (Retired): Felix Lupercio
- Secretary: Maria Cortez — (707) 678-9424
Lay Ministries
The parish's ministries page lists about two dozen lay-led groups, with most ministries offering both English and Spanish leadership. The full list — including contacts — is on the parish website; the parish office invites parishioners to 'get involved' and notes that 'we need your time and talent to build the Kingdom of God.'
- Altar Servers, Bible Study, Divine Mercy Ministry
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors (English & Spanish)
- Migrant Camp ministry, Pastoral Care of the Sick (English & Spanish)
- Pro-Life Committee, Vocations committee (English & Spanish)
- RCIA (English) / RICA (Spanish)
- Youth Ministry (Junior High & High School), College Catholic Group
- Lazarus Ministry, Couples Nights, Marriage Encounter
- Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Renovación Carismática Católica
- St. Bridget Group, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Respect Life Ministry
- Comite Hispano, Parish Council, Church Cleaning
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith formation is family-centered and offered in both English and Spanish, with age-appropriate tracks for children, youth, and adults seeking the sacraments of initiation.
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist — 2-year process, begins 1st grade
- Confirmation — 2-year process, begins ~7th grade
- RCIA / RICA — adults seeking Baptism, Communion, or Confirmation
- Bible Study (English) — Terri Heynen
- Youth Ministry (Junior High & High School) — Paolo Dorrego
- College Catholic Group
Outreach & Service
St. Peter's reaches beyond its walls in several distinct ways. The Migrant Camp ministry serves Spanish-speaking agricultural workers, the St. Vincent de Paul Society (707-305-8110) responds to local material need, the Lazarus Ministry accompanies families through bereavement, the Pro-Life and Respect Life ministries witness to the dignity of life, and the Pastoral Care of the Sick ministry brings Communion and prayer to the homebound and hospitalized in both English and Spanish.
- Migrant Camp (Spanish) — Isabel Santana
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — (707) 305-8110
- Lazarus Ministry — Joanne Banducci
- Pro-Life / Respect Life — Robert & Evelyn Williams
- Pastoral Care of the Sick (English) — Elodia Tarango
- Pastoral Care of the Sick (Spanish) — Octavio Ortega
Parish Life & Groups
Beyond liturgical service, St. Peter's fosters community through a range of small groups, family and couples ministries, fraternal organizations, and devotional sodalities that meet in both languages.
- Couples Nights (English) — Robert & Evelyn Williams
- Marriage Encounter (English) — Terry & Janet Doane
- St. Bridget Group (English) — Laurie
- Knights of Columbus (English) — Jerry Castañon (707-344-3544)
- Legion of Mary (English & Spanish) — Sara Davila
- Renovación Carismática Católica (Spanish) — Jose Leon
- Comite Hispano — Octavio Ortega
- Parish Council — Elodia Tarango
The Church Building
The present church is a 1915–1916 Gothic Revival structure with twin spires, pointed-arch windows, and a front gable with overhanging eaves in the Craftsman style. Inside, the nave is adorned with decorative murals, sacred statues, and a large blue stained-glass window on the façade depicting St. Peter flanked by St. John and another Evangelist. The interior altar mural is the work of artist Colleen Gnos. A 1965 rectory, a 1970s parish hall, and a 1993 religious education building complete the campus.
- Style: Gothic Revival with Craftsman-style front gable
- Twin spires and pointed-arch stained-glass windows
- Façade stained-glass window of St. Peter with St. John and an Evangelist
- Interior murals by Colleen Gnos
- 1915 foundation stone still visible at front steps
- Rectory built 1965; parish hall early 1970s; religious education building 1993
Getting Involved & Contact
The parish encourages parishioners to share their time and talent. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, closed for lunch 1:00–1:30 PM, and closed on Fridays. Callers are asked to leave a message and try again if not answered immediately, since staff may be assisting another parishioner.
- Parish Office: (707) 678-9424 | Fax: (707) 678-9432
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stpeterschurchdixon.com/
- Address: 105 South 2nd Street, Dixon, CA 95620
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (lunch 1:00–1:30 PM); closed Friday
- Sister school on campus: Chesterton Academy at the Valley of the Sacred Heart (530-574-0804)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. L. Augerpre-1877 (mission priest, Suisun mission)
Tended the Suisun mission communities on horseback before the parish was formally established.
- Fr. Patrick Ward1877
Performed the first baptisms and marriages in the new parish.
- Fr. John Nugent1878
Succeeded Fr. Ward as recorded in the baptismal register.
- Fr. C. O'Connor1879
Served as pastor in 1879 per parish baptismal records.
- Fr. James C. O'Connor1965 (rectory built)
Pastor when the present rectory was built in 1965.
- Fr. John Kyneearly 1970s
Oversaw construction of the parish hall.
- Fr. Enrique Sanchez1987
Led the extensive restoration and renovation of the church.
- Fr. Jorge Moreno1993 (religious education building completed)
Oversaw construction of the religious education building.