"In the Beginning…St. Mary Parish first began to serve the people of El Centro in 1902 through the efforts of Monsignor H. Eummelin who also rode from town to town trying to meet the needs of Imperial Valley Catholics in Brawley, Imperial and Calexico. Our parish was officially established in 1907.
In 1913, the first belfry of St. Mary was raised at 5th and Orange Avenues. The church tower rose sixty-four feet. Its blue-tiled dome crowned with a gold cross, beckoned members and visitors to congregate within for spiritual refreshment and worship.
In the late 1930’s, Bishop Buddy first visited St. Mary; shortly after his appointment to the Diocese of San Diego. Until that time, Imperial Valley parishes had been part of the Los Angeles Archdiocese.
When the earthquake razed the church in 1940 activities were moved to the Veterans Hall near the Courthouse. Plans for rebuilding the church began, but with the advent of World War II, materials and labor were in short supply. The basement of the church was renovated in 1942 under Father George Rice and parishioners were able to use that part of the facility. Finally, the church was reopened and the parish gratefully celebrated a joyous Christmas Mass in December 1946.
St. Mary Parish (on 5th and Orange) was dedicated on March 16, 1947. It was rebuilt and refurnished at a cost of $95,000 and could accommodate 250-275 people at one Mass.
During the mid-1940’s, students from St. Mary families were transported to St. Joseph School in Holtville. Then in 1954-1955, the parish purchased 12 acres at the site of Heil and Waterman Avenues and built St. Mary’s School and convent; relying greatly upon the perseverance and efforts of so many of the parish’s families at that time.
In 1968, plans for a parish building program evolved to match the growing needs of St. Mary’s community of the day. Under the guidance of Father Daniel O’Callaghan, Pastor, and Father Robert DePonte, Assistant Pastor, a myriad number of team captains and section chairpersons supervised the canvassing of the parish membership and sought pledges to establish an initial contribution to a building fund. Many of those families who participated in St. Mary’s initial campaign would once again become actively involved in the building program which enabled us to fulfill the dream and complete the construction of St. Mary Parish at Heil and La Brucherie.
With the completion of the building of the new church, St. Mary Parish finally accomplished the goal by which parish school and parish church were located at the same site. The potential of witnessing to the Word of God and nourishment of His Spirit to the community-at-large emanating from this “spiritual center” can be and should be a veritable well-spring overflowing with the love and concern of Our Lord for all his people.
Today…Our blue dome, topped with the cross of our faith, once more beckons to all; inviting parishioners to reach out to each other and to our community, to anyone who needs our help." (
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