Saint Joseph Parish (Mountain View, CA)
Encyclopedia
Saint Joseph Parish in Mountain View, California
is a parish
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
. The parish and its church are located in Mountain View in the state of California
, the parish falls under the jurisdiction
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose in California
and its bishop
. It is named after Saint Joseph
, husband of Mary
, the mother of Jesus
; for whom the diocese and the nearby city of San Jose
is also named.
The parish church is located on Hope Street, having been in continuous service since its initial building in 1905.
The parish school, St. Joseph Catholic School is located on Miramonte Avenue, and is an elementary school for children from kindergarten through eighth grade.
of Santa Clara
. The original structure was a little white wooden building, topped by a cross, nestled among tall shade trees and enclosed by a white picket fence at the corner of El Camino Real
and Alviso Road. The land was donated by John Sullivan whose teams hauled the lumber from Watsonville
. It was a small church accommodating 150 people until 1884 when its capacity was increased to 250. Rev. John J. Cullen was appointed the first pastor in 1901.
The present church property, located on Castro, Church and Hope streets, was donated by the Castro family. In 1905 concrete was poured for the foundations and a wooden church was established. St. Joseph's Parish then included the towns of Mountain View, Los Altos
, Sunnyvale
, and Mayfield (south of Palo Alto
), ranging from San Francisco Bay
to Skyline Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains
at that time.
The population growth, spurred by the railroad, put great pressure on the parish and its church within a few years after its completion. Therefore, in 1916 St. Martin's Parish was established in Sunnyvale, followed by St. Aloysius
in Mayfield in 1919, St. Athanasius
in Mountain View in 1947 and St. William's in Los Altos.
In 1928, St. Joseph's Church burned down as a result of a fire set by a pyromaniac. In 1929 the present church was built with a seating capacity
of 650. Starting in 1948, under the direction of Father James Doyle, the church acquired 15 acres (6.1 ha) off Miramonte Avenue near El Camino Real and established St. Joseph's Elementary School and Holy Cross High School for girls.
period. As such, the main floor of the church contains the narthex
, nave
, transept
, sanctuary, and sacristy
. The bottom floor contains Father Doyle Hall, a meeting hall, as well as the church's restrooms.
Because the parish church was founded prior to the Second Vatican Council
, the church contains a high altar
, behind which the large portrait of St. Joseph served as a reredos
. These two features are particular to the celebration of the Tridentine Mass
, which predated the Novus Ordo Missae promulgated by the Second Vatican Council. This form of the mass is now known as the Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite
, in accordance with the Summorum Pontificum
of Pope Benedict XVI
. The altar rails
have since been removed, allowing easier access to the laity
who now participate in the service of the Mass.
At either side of the church, on the altar side of the transept are two grotto
es. Upon the left is the tabernacle
, containing the reserve of the consecrated
hosts
. Upon the right is the almery
which contains the vessels of the Oil of the Catechumens
, Oil of the Sick
, and Sacred Chrism
. These vessels are replenished annually, when a new supply is blessed at the chrism mass by the bishop
. The oils are then received at the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper, in accordance with local ritual.
The main floor of the church is decorated with several stained glass
windows, reflecting the Gothic architecture. These may be found at the ends of the transept, along the nave, and above the high altar. There is an additional stained glass window not easily seen at the rear of the church, above the choir loft and organ pipes.
The pipe organ
of the church is in frequent use at weekly services, and during services scheduled during the week. This point is of significant mention, as many churches no longer use the organ on a regular basis for service music. The church bell
s are not normally rung; due in part to the close proximity of residential neighbors, and due also in part to the adverse effects the tolling of the bell may have upon the organ pipes, which share the common rear wall of the building.
The organ pipe
s occupy most of the choir loft, with the great pipes centrally located at the rear, the chorus pipes upon one side, and the swell pipes upon the other. The chorus and swell pipes are contained in chambers on either side of the church.
Although it is a Catholic School, a non-discriminatory policy is in effect, whereby students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin may be admitted. Students who are not Roman Catholic are exempted from parts of the curriculum which are specific to religious education or ministration of sacraments. Grade placement is determined by a test battery to verify basic skills.
The school maintains one classroom per grade, with a school network connecting at least two computers in each classroom. In addition, the school maintains a science room, library, auditorium, and computer lab.
The school serves approximately 200 families, and has an enrollment of over 300 students.
Mountain View, California
-Downtown:Mountain View has a pedestrian-friendly downtown centered on Castro Street. The downtown area consists of the seven blocks of Castro Street from the Downtown Mountain View Station transit center in the north to the intersection with El Camino Real in the south...
is a parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. The parish and its church are located in Mountain View in the state of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, the parish falls under the jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility...
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose in California
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose in California
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San José; in California is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the northern California region of the United States. It comprises Santa Clara County, and is led by a bishop. Its patron saints are Saint Joseph and Saint Clare of...
and its bishop
Patrick Joseph McGrath
Patrick Joseph McGrath is the second Roman Catholic Bishop of San José in California, USA. Known as P.J., McGrath was born in Dublin, Republic of Ireland....
. It is named after Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ ....
, husband of Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
, the mother of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
; for whom the diocese and the nearby city of San Jose
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
is also named.
The parish church is located on Hope Street, having been in continuous service since its initial building in 1905.
The parish school, St. Joseph Catholic School is located on Miramonte Avenue, and is an elementary school for children from kindergarten through eighth grade.
History
The first Catholic church in the Mountain View was built in 1867 with funds gathered by Rev. Joseph Bixio, S.J.Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
of Santa Clara
Santa Clara, California
Santa Clara , founded in 1777 and incorporated in 1852, is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. The city is the site of the eighth of 21 California missions, Mission Santa Clara de Asís, and was named after the mission. The Mission and Mission Gardens are located on the...
. The original structure was a little white wooden building, topped by a cross, nestled among tall shade trees and enclosed by a white picket fence at the corner of El Camino Real
El Camino Real (California)
El Camino Real and sometimes associated with Calle Real usually refers to the 600-mile California Mission Trail, connecting the former Alta California's 21 missions , 4 presidios, and several pueblos, stretching from Mission San Diego de Alcalá in San Diego...
and Alviso Road. The land was donated by John Sullivan whose teams hauled the lumber from Watsonville
Watsonville, California
Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 51,199 according to the 2010 census.Located on the central coast of California, the economy centers predominantly around the farming industry. It is known for growing strawberries, apples, lettuce and a host...
. It was a small church accommodating 150 people until 1884 when its capacity was increased to 250. Rev. John J. Cullen was appointed the first pastor in 1901.
The present church property, located on Castro, Church and Hope streets, was donated by the Castro family. In 1905 concrete was poured for the foundations and a wooden church was established. St. Joseph's Parish then included the towns of Mountain View, Los Altos
Los Altos, California
Los Altos is a city at the southern end of the San Francisco Peninsula, in the San Francisco Bay Area. The city is in Santa Clara County, California, United States. The population was 28,976 according to the 2010 census....
, Sunnyvale
Sunnyvale, California
Sunnyvale is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. It is one of the major cities that make up the Silicon Valley located in the San Francisco Bay Area...
, and Mayfield (south of Palo Alto
Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto is a California charter city located in the northwest corner of Santa Clara County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, United States. The city shares its borders with East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Portola Valley, and Menlo Park. It is...
), ranging from San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay is a shallow, productive estuary through which water draining from approximately forty percent of California, flowing in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers from the Sierra Nevada mountains, enters the Pacific Ocean...
to Skyline Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Santa Cruz Mountains
The Santa Cruz Mountains, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges, are a mountain range in central California, United States. They form a ridge along the San Francisco Peninsula, south of San Francisco, separating the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco Bay and the Santa Clara Valley, and continuing south,...
at that time.
The population growth, spurred by the railroad, put great pressure on the parish and its church within a few years after its completion. Therefore, in 1916 St. Martin's Parish was established in Sunnyvale, followed by St. Aloysius
Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish
Started in 1901 and completed in 1902, St. Thomas Aquinas Church is the oldest church in Palo Alto, California and is a registered historic landmark. Its distinctive Carpenter Gothic Victorian style makes it a signature building for the downtown area....
in Mayfield in 1919, St. Athanasius
Saint Athanasius Parish
Saint Athanasius Parish is a territorial parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose in California. The parish was established June 19, 1959, by John J. Mitty, D.D., Archbishop of San Francisco, to serve Catholics of Mountain View and Palo Alto. The parish is named for Athanasius, Patriarch of...
in Mountain View in 1947 and St. William's in Los Altos.
In 1928, St. Joseph's Church burned down as a result of a fire set by a pyromaniac. In 1929 the present church was built with a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 650. Starting in 1948, under the direction of Father James Doyle, the church acquired 15 acres (6.1 ha) off Miramonte Avenue near El Camino Real and established St. Joseph's Elementary School and Holy Cross High School for girls.
Architecture and Design
St. Joseph Parish Church is designed along the cruciform lines of the GothicGothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
period. As such, the main floor of the church contains the narthex
Narthex
The narthex of a church is the entrance or lobby area, located at the end of the nave, at the far end from the church's main altar. Traditionally the narthex was a part of the church building, but was not considered part of the church proper...
, nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
, transept
Transept
For the periodical go to The Transept.A transept is a transverse section, of any building, which lies across the main body of the building. In Christian churches, a transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform building in Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architecture...
, sanctuary, and sacristy
Sacristy
A sacristy is a room for keeping vestments and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records.The sacristy is usually located inside the church, but in some cases it is an annex or separate building...
. The bottom floor contains Father Doyle Hall, a meeting hall, as well as the church's restrooms.
Because the parish church was founded prior to the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
, the church contains a high altar
Altar
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. Altars are usually found at shrines, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of worship...
, behind which the large portrait of St. Joseph served as a reredos
Reredos
thumb|300px|right|An altar and reredos from [[St. Josaphat's Roman Catholic Church|St. Josaphat Catholic Church]] in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. This would be called a [[retable]] in many other languages and countries....
. These two features are particular to the celebration of the Tridentine Mass
Tridentine Mass
The Tridentine Mass is the form of the Roman Rite Mass contained in the typical editions of the Roman Missal that were published from 1570 to 1962. It was the most widely celebrated Mass liturgy in the world until the introduction of the Mass of Paul VI in December 1969...
, which predated the Novus Ordo Missae promulgated by the Second Vatican Council. This form of the mass is now known as the Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite
Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite
"An extraordinary form of the Roman Rite" is a phrase used in Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio Summorum Pontificum to describe the liturgy of the 1962 Roman Missal, widely referred to as the "Tridentine Mass"...
, in accordance with the Summorum Pontificum
Summorum Pontificum
Summorum Pontificum is an Apostolic Letter of Pope Benedict XVI, issued "motu proprio" . The document specified the rules, for the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, for celebrating Mass according to the "Missal promulgated by John XXIII in 1962" , and for administering most of the sacraments in...
of Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
. The altar rails
Altar rails
Altar rails are a set of railings, sometimes ornate and frequently of marble or wood, delimiting the chancel in a church, the part of the sanctuary that contains the altar. A gate at the centre divides the line into two parts. The sanctuary is a figure of heaven, into which entry is not guaranteed...
have since been removed, allowing easier access to the laity
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
who now participate in the service of the Mass.
At either side of the church, on the altar side of the transept are two grotto
Grotto
A grotto is any type of natural or artificial cave that is associated with modern, historic or prehistoric use by humans. When it is not an artificial garden feature, a grotto is often a small cave near water and often flooded or liable to flood at high tide...
es. Upon the left is the tabernacle
Church tabernacle
A tabernacle is the fixed, locked box in which, in some Christian churches, the Eucharist is "reserved" . A less obvious container, set into the wall, is called an aumbry....
, containing the reserve of the consecrated
Transubstantiation
In Roman Catholic theology, transubstantiation means the change, in the Eucharist, of the substance of wheat bread and grape wine into the substance of the Body and Blood, respectively, of Jesus, while all that is accessible to the senses remains as before.The Eastern Orthodox...
hosts
Sacramental bread
Sacramental bread, sometimes called the lamb, altar bread, host or simply Communion bread, is the bread which is used in the Christian ritual of the Eucharist.-Eastern Catholic and Orthodox:...
. Upon the right is the almery
Almery
Almery, aumbrie, or ambry , in architecture, is a recess in the wall of a church, sometimes square-headed, and sometimes arched over, and closed with a door like a cupboard...
which contains the vessels of the Oil of the Catechumens
Oil of catechumens
Oil of the Catechumens is the oil used in some traditional Christian churches during baptism; it is believed to strengthen the one being baptized to turn away from evil, temptation and sin....
, Oil of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick, known also by other names, is distinguished from other forms of religious anointing or "unction" in that it is intended, as its name indicates, for the benefit of a sick person...
, and Sacred Chrism
Chrism
Chrism , also called "Myrrh" , Holy anointing oil, or "Consecrated Oil", is a consecrated oil used in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Rite Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, in the Assyrian Church of the East, and in Old-Catholic churches, as well as Anglican churches in the administration...
. These vessels are replenished annually, when a new supply is blessed at the chrism mass by the bishop
Roman Catholic Bishop of San Jose in California
The Roman Catholic Bishop of San Jose in California is the head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose in California, being the ordinary minister of the diocese. As such, he is a member of the College of Bishops, and is responsible for teaching, governing, and sanctifying the faithful of the...
. The oils are then received at the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper, in accordance with local ritual.
The main floor of the church is decorated with several stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
windows, reflecting the Gothic architecture. These may be found at the ends of the transept, along the nave, and above the high altar. There is an additional stained glass window not easily seen at the rear of the church, above the choir loft and organ pipes.
The pipe organ
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
of the church is in frequent use at weekly services, and during services scheduled during the week. This point is of significant mention, as many churches no longer use the organ on a regular basis for service music. The church bell
Church bell
A church bell is a bell which is rung in a church either to signify the hour or the time for worshippers to go to church, perhaps to attend a wedding, funeral, or other service...
s are not normally rung; due in part to the close proximity of residential neighbors, and due also in part to the adverse effects the tolling of the bell may have upon the organ pipes, which share the common rear wall of the building.
The organ pipe
Organ pipe
An organ pipe is a sound-producing element of the pipe organ that resonates at a specific pitch when pressurized air is driven through it. Each pipe is tuned to a specific note of the musical scale...
s occupy most of the choir loft, with the great pipes centrally located at the rear, the chorus pipes upon one side, and the swell pipes upon the other. The chorus and swell pipes are contained in chambers on either side of the church.
Succession of Pastors
| Name | Photo | Start | End | Background | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rev. Fr. John J. Cullen | 1901 | 1910 | First pastor | |
| 2 | Rev. Fr. Michael Horan | 1910 | 1917 | ||
| 3 | Rev. Fr. John Smyth | 1917 | 1922 | ||
| 4 | Rev. Fr. Lawrence Murphy | 1922 | 1923 | ||
| 5 | Rev. Fr. James W. Galvin | 1923 | 1944 | ||
| 6 | Rev. Fr. John M. Kennedy | 1938 | 1947 | ||
| 7 | Rev. Fr. James B. Doyle | 1947 | 1963 | The parish hall is named for him | |
| 8 | Rev. Fr. George D. Moss | 1963 | 1976 | ||
| 9 | Rev. Fr. William M. Lenane | 1976 | 1984 | ||
| 10 | 1984 | 1996 | Currently serving as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, he returns to St. Joseph to celebrate Mass in Gaelic every year. He was invested as a Chaplain of His Holiness Chaplain of His Holiness A Chaplain of His Holiness is a priest to whom the Pope has granted this title. They are addressed as Monsignor and have certain privileges, such as regards ecclesiastical dress.... on April 2, 2011. |
||
| 11 | Rev. Fr. Oscar D. Tabujara | 1996 | 2009 | Currently serving as pastor of Saint Athanasius Parish Saint Athanasius Parish Saint Athanasius Parish is a territorial parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose in California. The parish was established June 19, 1959, by John J. Mitty, D.D., Archbishop of San Francisco, to serve Catholics of Mountain View and Palo Alto. The parish is named for Athanasius, Patriarch of... , also located in Mountain View |
|
| 12 | Rev. Fr. Timothy J. Kidney | 2009 | 2010 | Remains In Residence | |
| 13 | Rev. Fr. Roberto Adrian Rojas | 2010 | 2011 | On leave of absence | |
| 14 | Rev. Fr. Luis E. Vargas | 2011 | Incumbent | Current pastor |
Parish School
The school was founded in 1952 by Rev. Fr. James B. Doyle. Originally the school was housed in temporarary quarters on what is now part of St. Francis High School. The current school location was constructed in 1954. As with St. Francis High School, the school was originally staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Cross Order. The order ceased to staff the school in 1982, thereby opening up staff positions to the laity. The current principal, Mrs. Stephanie Mirenda Knight, was a student of the school.Although it is a Catholic School, a non-discriminatory policy is in effect, whereby students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin may be admitted. Students who are not Roman Catholic are exempted from parts of the curriculum which are specific to religious education or ministration of sacraments. Grade placement is determined by a test battery to verify basic skills.
The school maintains one classroom per grade, with a school network connecting at least two computers in each classroom. In addition, the school maintains a science room, library, auditorium, and computer lab.
The school serves approximately 200 families, and has an enrollment of over 300 students.