About St. Rita · Fairfax, California
St. Rita is a Catholic parish serving the town of Fairfax in Marin County, California, located at 100 Marinda Drive on the slope of Mount Tamalpais. Founded in 1916 as a mission church of St. Anselm and elevated to parish status in January 1930, it belongs to the Archdiocese of San Francisco and is currently one of three parishes — along with St. Cecilia in Lagunitas and St. Mary in Nicasio — that cooperate as the Valley Catholic Parishes. Sunday Masses are offered at 9:00 and 11:00 AM, with a Saturday Vigil at 5:00 PM and a daily 7:30 AM Mass. The parish is currently led by Fr. Sebastine Bula, V.C., assisted by Parochial Vicar Fr. Martin Njoalu, V.C.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- St. Rita of Cascia
- Rector
- Rev. Sebastine Bula, V.C.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. Rita offers a welcoming, tight-knit Catholic community in the heart of Marin's San Geronimo Valley, with daily Mass, a beloved First Friday Holy Hour, Lenten Stations of the Cross, and a Saturday Vigil Mass that draws families from Fairfax and surrounding towns. Parish life centers on shared worship in a mid-century church with stained glass by Carl Huneke and a 328-pipe organ, supported by an active Parish Council, a Men's Group that meets every other Saturday for breakfast and faith-sharing, and a Religious Education program for children ages five and up. As one of three Valley Catholic Parishes working together, St. Rita combines small-parish warmth with broader collaborative resources.
Mass times at St. Rita
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- First Friday: Holy Hour after the 7:30 AM Mass
- Fridays during Lent: 6:00 PM Adoration and Confession
Our Story: A Mission Church Becomes a Parish (1916–Present)
St. Rita began in 1916 as a mission church of St. Anselm, built on three acres for $4,500 and dedicated by Archbishop Edward J. Hanna in August of that year. Elevated to parish status in January 1930, it grew with the post-war migration of Catholic families from San Francisco, prompting the construction of the present-day church in 1953 and the parish school in 1957. Today St. Rita continues to serve as the spiritual home of the San Geronimo Valley and remains one of the most historic Catholic parishes in Marin County.
- 1916 — Mission of St. Anselm founded; church dedicated by Archbishop Hanna
- January 1930 — Becomes an independent parish
- May 30, 1953 — Current church dedicated by Archbishop Mitty
- September 1957 — Parish school opens with 220 students
- 1986 — Bennett House opens on parish property
- 2015 — St. Rita School closes by order of Archbishop Cordileone
Architecture and Sacred Art
The present St. Rita Church was completed in 1953 as a 8,500-square-foot building seating 550 on the main floor and another 100 in the choir loft, at a total cost of $200,000. A 328-pipe organ was installed in the choir loft that same year, and the 20 stained glass windows that line the nave were designed by Carl Huneke of San Francisco.
- 1953 sanctuary, 8,500 sq ft
- 328-pipe organ (1953)
- 20 stained glass windows by Carl Huneke
- Original 1916 mission church still standing as Parish Hall
St. Rita School: 1957–2015
Funded by a major campaign blessed by Archbishop Mitty in January 1955 and built with volunteer labor, St. Rita School opened in September 1957 under the Daughters of the Holy Spirit. It grew to eight grades and became a centerpiece of parish life for nearly six decades. After years of declining enrollment and deficit spending, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone ordered the school closed at the end of the 2014–15 academic year despite efforts by parents and parishioners — including a 2013 fundraising campaign that raised nearly $700,000 — to keep it open. The campus has since been leased to Cascade Canyon School, a private secular K–8 program.
- Opened September 1957 with 220 students in grades 1–5
- Staffed by Daughters of the Holy Spirit from 1957 to June 1976
- Kindergarten added in 1978; extended day care added in 1982
- Closed by Archbishop Cordileone at end of 2014–15 school year
- Site now leased to Cascade Canyon School
Bennett House: Senior and Affordable Housing on Parish Grounds
In 1986 Catholic Charities of San Francisco, Catholic Social Services of Marin, and St. Rita Parish jointly developed Bennett House, a 70-unit retirement complex for low-to-moderate-income elderly and disabled residents on property adjacent to the school yard. It was funded with a U.S. Department of Housing and Development loan and grants from Marin County and the San Francisco Foundation, and is named for Fr. Peter Bennett, the parish's second pastor (1930–1946).
- Built 1986
- 70 units
- Named after Fr. Peter Bennett (pastor 1930–1946)
- Operated by Catholic Charities SF / Catholic Social Services of Marin
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Sebastine Bula, V.C., who became pastor in 2024, and is assisted by Parochial Vicar Fr. Martin Njoalu, V.C. Both priests also serve the two other Valley Catholic Parishes. Office Manager Yvette Armendariz and Bookkeeper Gwyneth Varn handle parish administration, and Teresa Dallara coordinates Religious Education across St. Rita and St. Cecilia.
- Fr. Sebastine Bula, V.C. — Pastor (2024–present)
- Fr. Martin Njoalu, V.C. — Parochial Vicar
- Yvette Armendariz — Office Manager
- Gwyneth Varn — Bookkeeper
- Teresa Dallara — Religious Education
- Jan Zeller — Parish Council Chair
Parish Ministries and Groups
Parish life at St. Rita is shaped by an active Parish Council, a Men's Group that gathers every other Saturday for Mass and breakfast faith-sharing, and Religious Education for children. The Men's Group also serves the parish in practical ways, from seasonal decorating to repair work on the campus.
- Parish Council — seven parishioners, advisory to the pastor; chaired by Jan Zeller
- Men's Group — every other Saturday, 7:30 AM Mass + breakfast
- Religious Education — children ages 5 and up; contact Teresa Dallara (415-497-8528)
- Liturgical volunteers — seasonal decorating, setup/breakdown
- Flocknote — parish email newsletter
Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation
Religious Education for children ages five and up is offered jointly at St. Rita and St. Cecilia under the coordination of Teresa Dallara. First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation, along with other sacramental preparation, is arranged through the parish Religious Education program; the parish office can provide current details.
- Children's Religious Education (ages 5+) coordinated by Teresa Dallara
- First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation available
- Contact: 415-497-8528
Valley Catholic Parishes: A Three-Parish Collaboration
St. Rita shares its pastor and parochial vicar with two nearby rural parishes — St. Cecilia in Lagunitas and St. Mary in Nicasio — under the Valley Catholic Parishes umbrella. The three communities share a common mission: 'At St. Rita, St. Cecilia, and St. Mary Parishes, we are called to live and share the love of God and the Good News of Jesus Christ. As an active Catholic community, we express our faith through worship, service, and a steadfast commitment to equality, support, and the dignity of every person.'
- St. Rita — 100 Marinda Drive, Fairfax, CA 94930
- St. Cecilia — Lagunitas, CA 94938
- St. Mary — 450 West Cintura Avenue, Nicasio, CA 94946
- Shared clergy: Fr. Sebastine Bula, V.C. and Fr. Martin Njoalu, V.C.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Cantwell1916–1930
Served the mission from its 1916 founding until it became a parish.
- Rev. M. J. Walsh1930
First resident pastor after elevation to parish status in January 1930.
- Rev. Peter Bennett1930–1946
Long-tenured pastor; Bennett House, the 1986 senior housing complex, is named for him.
- Rev. Edgar Boyle1946–1949
- Rev. Thomas O'Kane1949–1951
- Rev. Albert Duffy1951–1960
Invited the Daughters of the Holy Spirit to staff the new school, which opened under his tenure.
- Rev. Jeremiah Gleeson1960–1972
- Rev. Ernest Spacher1972–1973
- Rev. John Heaney1973–1979
- Rev. Gerald Horan1979–1984
- Rev. Joseph Sullivan1984–1986
- Rev. Albert Vucinovich1986–1998
Oversaw construction of Bennett House (1986), Hall renovation (1990), and the science/computer building (1998–99).
- Rev. Robert Cipriano1998–2004
- Rev. Dr. Kenneth Weare2004–2024
Led the parish through the prolonged fight and eventual 2015 closure of St. Rita School.
- Rev. Sebastine Bula, V.C.2024–present
Current pastor; accompanied by Parochial Vicar Fr. Martin Njoalu, V.C.