Parish History

1964

The parish was established in the late summer of 1964 when a local family donated a four acre property for a church site. This property, located on Maple Street was later traded for the present ten acre property.

While plans were drawn up to construct the church, the first daily Masses were held by the first pastor, Father Vincent Lyons, at Mr. Art Velardo’s residence at 224 Doyle Drive. Then at the Velardo’s family room on 223 Locust CCD classes, choir practices and parish meetings were also held. The original rectory was located two doors away at 211 Locust Drive.

The first Sunday Mass was celebrated on October 8, 1964 at the Kentwig Gym. The second Sunday Mass and subsequent Masses up until February 1965 were held at Rudy’s Supper Club. Thereafter, Masses were held in St. Basil’s Gym until the church was built.

1965

On May 17, 1965, a contract to build the church was signed and the ground breaking was presided over by Bishop Alden Bell on June 12, 1965. The church was completed in December 1965 and the first Mass was celebrated on December 19, 1965. Many of the church furnishings were donated by local parishioners in memory of deceased family members and relatives. The pews were purchased from a church in San Jose and stored in Hunter Philip’s garage. A group of men sanded and stained the pews. One individual spent hours making the Stations of the Cross.

St. Catherine’s held the first of its major fundraising drives to construct the original church building.

1970–1980

St. Catherine’s held the second of its major fundraising drives to construct the the current church building. The original church was designed as a gymnasium and lacked many attributes that limited the proper celebration of liturgy and sacraments. The old church could only seat about 400 persons. With the increased growth in housing in the East Vallejo area and the growing number of parishioners in the late 1980’s, a need for a larger church arose. A pledge drive was launched with the blessing of the Diocese of Sacramento. Hundreds of parishioners provided financial support.

Due to the efforts of Father Colm O’Kelly, then Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church in 1985 and the cooperation of many dedicated parents, the school opened its doors on September 2, 1985.

2011

Under the direction of Father Jesus Soriano, the St. Catherine of Siena Preschool opened across the street on Avian Drive in September 2011. Currently three and four year old students learn about our faith through play.