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A HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH PARISH
ELK GROVE, CALIFORNIAAs told by
Voices From the Past
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery at Rancho Murieta (formerly Live Oak)
Site of original St. Joseph Catholic ChurchBeneath the dappled shade of live oak trees lie the remains of “those poor Irish miners” and the beginnings of St. Joseph Parish. Now known as St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery, the land was originally part of the Hartnell grant
(1858-1861), stage stop, ”livery stable, blacksmith shop, butcher shop, two hotels, and four saloons” surrounded the cemetery.”(1)
According to old-timers, John “Driscoll and other Irish settlers built the church sometime between 1853 and 1860. The date is uncertain, since no record of the church exists in the archives of the Sacramento diocese. The building had one window and 10 rows of pews on each side of the
main aisle.”(2).
Mass was offered by priests who traveled from St. Rose of Lima in Sacramento, then St. John the Baptist in Folsom, and St. Patrick’s in Jackson and Sutter Creek (Immaculate Conception).
“Legend tells of a wild celebration …. The priest, dressed in his Sacramental robes, came up the main aisle and approached the altar. He knelt before it. Then, he suddenly jumped up and began a frantic dance. After a few jumps and jigs he ran out of the church. Following him was a swarm of bees. The poor man had knelt over a knothole in the floor under which was a beehive.” (2).
“Recorded history of the mission area of Elk Grove is traced as far back as 1864. Priests from Sacramento served Folsom from St. Rose of Lima, the first Catholic church in Sacramento. They made their way into the mission fields along the gold trails as often as time and weather permitted.
The priests followed the “American River digs” and also went into the “Cosumnes River digs” that included Michigan Bar, Sloughhouse, Live Oak, Elk Grove and Galt.” (3). The area was known as the “Jackrabbit Parish”.
“Father Neal Gallagher noted in 1864 there were many baptisms recorded in the register of St. John the Baptist of Folsom for those living in Elk Grove, Michigan Bar, Sloughhouse, Courtland and Walnut Grove.”(3)
Registries from St. John the Baptist Church in Folsom list baptisms, marriages, deaths
and confirmations, so we may assume that services were held in Elk Grove. “St. Joseph’s mission in Live Oak was abandoned when the Elk Grove church was established. Tony Riella... said the old building became an eyesore and Art Granlees, a grandson of John Driscoll and a church official, tore it down in the 1920s."(7)
The first recorded Catholic services we know of “ in Elk Grove were held in 1903 at the home of the Daresay family.”(4)
From 1912 (1913?) through 1917, mass was held in the home of Mrs. (Joe) DaRosa.
We don’t know exactly which parish claimed us as a mission in the early 1900’s. According to a history of Immaculate Conception Church in Sacramento, during some of the time when Father William Ellis was pastor, 1909 - 1922, Elk Grove was part of Immaculate Conception Parish, although it may have been referring to the Immaculate Conception Church in Sutter Creek that was a mission of St. Patrick’s in Jackson. Some old timers have said that priests came from Sutter Creek to Live Oak (Michigan Bar).
Father John Ellis became pastor (1911-1918) of Jackson’s St. Patrick’s Parish. The mission of Elk Grove w as moved from Folsom to Jackson. Fathers John and William Ellis were brothers and assisted each other – including the design and Father William Ellis Father John Ellis building of the St. Joseph Church on Grove Street.
On December 26, 1917 property was bought on the corner of Grove and Gage Streets by Bishop Thomas Grace for $10 in gold from Maria and A.P. Bettersworth. “The conveyance of the property … was recorded in Sacramento on January 11,1918, by Wm. Douglas. … The church was
completed in 1918 and dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus.”(3)
“Miss Ida DaRosa of Elk Grove and Thomas Farrell were the first couple to be married in the church.” (5)
“Special donations to the church were the stations of the cross by Thomas Farrell of Sacramento:
Statue of the Virgin Mary by Mrs. Laura Coons; Statue of St. Anthony by Bertha Mooney; Statue of the Sacred Heart, Mrs. Helen McKinstry of Alameda, mother of Laura Coons;
Statue of St. Joseph, Mrs. Ida DaRosa Farrell…. The altar, original organ and other accessories were donated by priests of other parishes. The window of St. Joseph was donated by a priest. It was stained glass, circular in shape, designed and made in Germany.” (3) This window now hangs in the present church. The statues of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph are in the side chapel.
“A banquet was held in the DaRosa home to celebrate the completion of the church. Bishop Thomas Grace of Sacramento and visiting priests were present.” (4)
Old St. Joseph’s Church 1918 – 1973, 8900 Grove Street
Now (2014) Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
“When the church building was completed, Elk Grove was still a mission under St. Patrick’s in Jackson, as was St. Christopher’s in Galt. … Father John Ellis was pastor of St. Patrick’s in Jackson; his brother, Father William Ellis, was pastor of Immaculate Conception in the Oak Park district of Sacramento. They both were active in helping the people of Elk Grove organize and build their church.” (3)
“In 1920 St. Christopher’s of Galt was made a parish and St. Joseph’s of Elk Grove was placed under it as a mission.” (3)
“On January 29, 1953, the mission church added to its main church building program by purchasing the old Cosmetology Building from the Sacramento Junior College. The men of the church remodeled it into a parish hall.
Top row: 1.George Mooney, 2. Delore Lawrence, 3,4,5,6,7? 8.Paul Betschert, 9. Ed Sievert, 10. Joe Furtado, 11? 12. Tony Souza, 13. Ed (David?) Gallaugher, Bottom row: 1. Ben Warmerdam, 2. John Zehnder, 3,4?, 5. Father Gilligan, 6. Joe Lopes, 7? 8. Paul Hrepich’s dad, 9,10?
Finally, in 1962, after being a mission of Galt for 42 years, St. Joseph’s became a parish with Father Patrick Gilligan as its first pastor. “Father Gilligan had great plans for the parish. He and Fr. Tobias Verecker, his assistant, moved into a rented house in Elk Grove until they could purchase a rectory. They finally purchased the home of George and Cecelia Moore on the corner of Elk Grove-Florin Rd. and 2nd Avenue.His love for children manifested itself in many ways, but none clearer than his efforts to build a Catholic school. He purchased forty acres of land on Bradshaw Road for a proposed convent and school. Father Gilligan was also responsible for a sizeable donation of land given as a gift to the Diocese for the purpose of building and establishing a Seminary and home for the Salvatorian Order” (3) on Twin Cities Road west of Highway 99. St. Pius X Minor Seminary served the diocese from 1961 to 1977 – serving as both seminary and a high school for local boys.
As the population of Elk Grove grew, so did the parish - packing the church at all Masses. Parishioners saw the need for a new and larger facility and in 1968-69 a Parish Advisory Committee was established to assist Fr. Boland in assessing the needs and resources for building a larger church. In 1970 Fr. Boland was transferred to St. Rose Church in Sacramento and Fr. John McDonald was installed as pastor of St. Joseph’s.
Father Jeremiah Bloand Father John McDonald
In 1972 the Grove Street Church was sold to the 14th Ave. Baptist Church. As of December 31, 1972, the church once again became a mission, this time serving the Baptists.
“However, by the kindly grace of our Christian brethren from the Fourteenth Ave. Baptist Church”(8) we were allowed to use the old church until our new parish center was completed.
The property on Bradshaw Road was turned over to the diocese and land that had been the Moll’s Jersey Dairy on Elk Grove-Florin Rd., across the street from Elk Grove Park was purchased for a parish center that would reflect the changes brought about by Vatican II.
Moll’s Dairy, site of the present St. Joseph Church, as it looked in 1972. The present rectory was built behind these eucalyptus trees.
Fr. McDonnell immediately began planning for a new and larger church – one that would serve not only as a church but as a community center. Vatican II had opened the window for many new ideas. Working with Brother Bob Usher of the Trappist Monastery at Vina, they designed a building for the future.
The building consists of two major areas: the “Meeting Room” (often called the fireside room)… and the “Community Room,” which could be used for Mass on Sundays and a variety of functions during the week. The sanctuary is located on one end of this room and a stage on the other.
The entire north wall of the “Community Room” was constructed of glass enabling the congregation to view an outdoor reflection pool and fountain…..”
“All doors throughout the church were completely hand carved without use of any modern tools by John Kendall and Charles McLeod. The carved figure on the front door is…, appropriately, of St. Joseph.
Included in the carving are all the symbols of carpentry, and the handle to the door itself is a large wooden saw – the major tool of the carpenter.”(9)
The “Community Room” was bare – no stations of the cross, and the sanctuary did not house the Blessed Sacrament.
“Father McDonnell explained,” In today’s liturgy, as in that of our more pristine past, the priest, people, and the action of Mass are central. Hence a more neutral type of design, seemingly cold and austere perhaps, when compared to the gingerbread of the past few centuries, is called for.” Thus the emphasis of a church service is not on things but on the participants and the Mass itself.
Some part of a church should give its people a feeling of security said Father McDonnell, so every church should have a section for devotional practices. This section is the Blessed Sacrament Chapel…
Along one wall are the Stations of the Cross, woven on tapestry by Eric Stabbinck of Belgium. In the corner is the Nativity scene hand carved on aspen logs. The doors leading out from the chapel are called “The Glorious Doors” with carved scenes of the Resurrection, Ascension, and the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.
Daily Mass is conducted in this chapel. It is interesting to note that all carvings outside the chapel symbolize Old Testament figures and happenings; whereas, all artifacts within the chapel were taken from the New Testament.”(9)
Blessed Sacrament Chapel Dedication of the new church was held on Sunday, August 26, 1973 with Bishop Alden J. Bell, assisted by his secretary Fr. James Kidder, former pastor Jeremiah Boland, and Msgr. James Poole. Fr. McDonnell directed the choir and the organist was Mr.Claire Grieve.
Thirty-five parishioners were confirmed. While a professional contractor supervised the building, there were many volunteer workers with building experience – without whom it would have cost a lot more than the estimated $245,000. And those volunteers have many stories to tell.
Brother Bob had been a Hollywood set designer, not an architect.
A story is told of some of the volunteers up on the top beams when Brother Bob decided that the shape should be changed slightly. Fortunately, the experienced builders prevailed, or, according to some parishioners, the building would have toppled.
One of the volunteers, Ed Horton, built the four large doors, upon which were placed the carvings, from ancient redwood lumber he salvaged from the old Yolo Causeway. Old time parishioners remember the drudgery of cleaning the huge windows and the pond.
One is remembered for backing her pickup unto the pool so she could reach the windows to clean them.
Nobody enjoyed cleaning the pool. The Knights of Columbus often worked late into the night, by the light of car headlights.
It was suggested that the pool was leaking and damaging the foundation of the church. It was a good excuse for getting rid of the pond. With the view of enlarging the church the pool had to go.
The Community Room proved to be just that.
In addition to Sunday Masses and weekday religious education, it was used for various community functions – everything from plays to dances to musical performances. Most memorable was the Cosumnes College production of “A Lion in Winter” starring Fr. McDonnell as Henry II.
Elk Grove continued to grow. Between 1976 and 1986, with Father Leo McAllister as pastor, the parish grew from 500 to 1700 families. A rectory was built. The kitchen was enlarged and the classroom was added. When Fr. McAllister convinced his friend, Msgr. Raymond Renwald, to retire to Elk Grove, the rectory was enlarged to accommodate this saintly gentleman.
Between Fr. McAllister’s friendliness and ability to remember everyone’s name and Msgr. Renwald’s kindly example, St.Joseph’s prospered as a truly Christian community. The Knights of Columbus kept the facilities maintained and the widows cared for.
Sisters of the Holy Family continued to direct the religious education program.
According to an article in the October 31, 1983 Catholic Herald “… it’s hard to keep St. Joseph hidden when he wants to return to his rightful place.”
“A stained glass window of St. Joseph, once located over the altar of the first Catholic church in Elk Grove, was lost for 10 years. Broken, in need of repair and ready for the trash can, the circular window was found recently by stained glass enthusiasts Enica and Adriaan Don. The couple offered to return their find to St. Joseph’s Church. “ (10)
After three years and many fund raisers, including annual Art and Wine Tastings, the window was restored and mounted in the north window of the church. Thanks to the efforts of chairpersons Dorothy and Paul Hrepich and Jim and Nellie Trimboli, the window was rededicated on November 1 1985 – followed by a final Art and Wine Tasting.
Restorers were: David and Carolyn Belmore of Sacramento and Ray O. Gage of Elk Grove. The cost of restoration was $3,800 and the appraised value was $25,000 (in 1985 dollars).
1986 through 2005 was a period of building presided over by our master builder, Msgr. Albert O’Connor, for whom the social hall was later named.
With his guidance, not only were our building projects fully paid for, but money was set aside to
start Good Shepherd and St. Maria Gorretti. “In the spring of 1986, Father Leo McAllister was appointed Director of Development for the Diocese of Sacramento with residence at St. Joseph’s Parish in Clarksburg.” Father Albert O’Connor was appointed as pastor of St. Joseph’s. Msgr. Raymond Renwald, who had retired and chose to live at St. Joseph’s, continued in residence. He was much loved and admired and continued to give stellar service until he moved to Pioneer House because of his declining health. When Father O’Connor came to St. Joseph’s, Elk Grove was a small parish in number, but large in area. It extended from I-5 to the Amador Monsignor Albert O’Connor County line.
The total population was approximately 10,000. The town of Elk Grove had one four-way stop sign and a blinking red light at the intersection of Elk Grove Blvd. and Elk Grove-Florin Rd. As yet there was no traffic signal. How that was about to change!
Almost immediately housing developments were begun heralding the arrival of many new families. Some of these people came from San Francisco where they sold homes at higher prices and were able to purchase new, bigger, and better houses at less cost. Many of the newcomers resided in Laguna, where before long it was necessary to provide Sunday mass because of the overcrowding at St. Joseph’s. This started in a classroom at Foulks Ranch School. Later it was moved to the multipurpose room at the school. Mass was provided on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. This was the beginning of Good Shepherd Parish, which was formally established on July 1, 1993 with Father Thomas Bland as first pastor.
At the same time a new development had been started where St. Joseph had begun a century before. Rancho Murrieta now sprang up at Michigan Bar. The Catholic residents at Rancho Murrieta began to request mass in their area.
Mary Ann Campbell did a census and presented a list of 130 Catholic families to Fr. O’Connor. A mass was held in the community room of the mobile home park in October of 1986, which approximately 150 people attended. It was then decided that a mass would be offered on Saturday evening beginning in January of 1987 if a location could be found.
John Tissone, a parishioner, approached Pastor Appleby at the Community Church to see if we could sub lease from them. At the time they were leasing a commercial property. Pastor Appleby was most generous and accommodating and a regular weekend mass was started.
Later as the number increased, the people asked for a church.
Fr. O’Connor approached Fred Anderson, who graciously donated the land on which the present church was built.
A building fund drive was successful, and so Bishop Weigand blessed the site on July 27, 1998 and building commenced. The architect was Dennis Gish and the contractor was John Jackson.”(11)
“Monsignor O’Connor began acquiring and storing things that the new church would need – stained glass windows from the former residence of the bishop – pews that, years ago, had seated students at the former St. Pius Seminary in Galt, and later bore the weight of members of St. Joseph’s in Elk Grove …stations of the cross that were hand carved in Italy.”(2)
“The church was dedicated by Bishop Weigand on March 29, 1999 with approximately 15 priests in attendance.
Dedication of St. Vincent de Paul Church, March 29, 1999
The dedication was followed by a dinner in the hanger at Rancho Murieta Airport with a very large crowd in attendance. Later, a large hall and four classrooms for religious education were built and dedicated by Bishop Garcia. Dennis Gish was again the architect and John Jackson the builder. The finishing touches were put to the site when Dick Valladao and Jerry Hathaway designed and built a beautiful prayer garden.
The original site was not quite large enough for the expansion and additional land across the levee was donated by Carol Anderson Ward, It meant that the levee had to be moved and this was done by the Operating Engineers at no charge.
They used the project as a training operation for new recruits. The original cemetery had been neglected and had fallen into the hands of the Operating Engineers. Phil Neiderberger, Director of Catholic Cemeteries for the diocese, approached them and they were happy to deed it back to the church. There now lies an operating cemetery on the site of the original church and cemetery at Michigan Bar. Things have come full circle, where the original church was founded, it has been replaced and a flourishing church now stands.
Meanwhile, back at St. Josephs expansion was desperately needed owing to the large attendance. A social hall was added to accommodate social functions for the large community.
Msgr. Albert O’Connor Social Hall at St. Joseph’s Church, Elk Grove
It was built on a piece of land that Fr. McAllister had purchased before his departure. It accommodates all the social events, which were numerous. The church was enlarged with Dennis Gish again doing the architectural work and John Jackson the construction.
During reconstruction, a “bell” tower was added.
Construction of addition to St. Joseph’s Church.
The enlarged and renovated church was dedicated by Bishop Weigand on November 16, 1997 with a large number of clergy in attendance.
With the opening of Good Shepherd in Laguna the dream of a Catholic school in the area could be realized.
The site at St. Joseph was not large enough so it was decided that the school be located at Good Shepherd. Churches combined resources and so St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School became a reality, with the understanding that each parish would have its young members make up the student body. With support from both parishes a very successful school became a reality.
In 2005, after almost 20 years at St. Joseph’s, Father O’Connor decided it was time for a new singer and a new song at St. Joseph’s.
He transferred to Holy Spirit and was succeeded by Father Peter Bosque.
Father Bosque served for three years during
which time it was decided to divide the parish
one more time. This time the area to the north
and east became St. Maria Goretti Parish.
As had happened at Good Shepherd, St. Joseph gave seed money so that the new parishes could get off to a good start.” (11)
In 2009, Father Rodolfo Llamas, much beloved for his gentle kindness, was assigned to St. Joseph’s. His love for the Virgin Mary and devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe were deep. He made clear to us why Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of all the Americas. She appeared to a Native American in the garb of a native princess and spoke to the people of the new world.
In 2012 his devotion was rewarded with an assignment to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sacramento.
Father Brian Atienza is our glimpse of the future. He brings youth and energy. Being
appointed vocations director for some years,
he was enthusiastic about reaching out
to the youth in our community. St.
Joseph's was renovated during his time.
In 2016, Fr. Brian was assigned to go to
Washington DC to study Cannon Law.
Father Julito was appointed to our parish in
July of 2016 from being Pastorat St. Joseph Parish in Yreka. His humility and
kindness brings joy to everyone around him.
References
(1) Rosa, Ellen (great granddaughter of Jared Dixon Sheldon). Sheldon Family History, 2013
(2) Walter, Jim. The Inheritance and History of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. c. 1999
(3) Gallaugher, Christine. History of St. Joseph’s – Elk Grove (c.1962)
(4) Pinkerton, Elizabeth. History Happened Here. (Elk Grove Citizen, December 23, 2010)
(5) Armstrong, Lance. Echoes of Yesterday Elk Grove, An Inside View of Historic Sites, Regent
Press, Oakland, California. 2006
(6) Letter from Annie Jenkins to Helen Larkin
(7) West, Naida. Historic Church, cemetery remembered. (Murieta Times, July 20, 1994)
(8) O’Donnell. Rev. J.P. , Elk Grove Citizen, Dec. 20, 1972
(9) Broz, Jolene, Catholic Herald, August 1, 1974, “Design mirrors new liturgy”
(10) The Catholic Herald, October 30. 1983, “Treasure in a Trash Can”
(11) O‘Connor, Msgr. Albert, Memoirs of Msgr. Albert O’Connor 2013
Compiled by Cathy O’NeilEdited by Dominique Nicole O’Neil
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