Padre Serra Parish facts for kids
Padre Serra Parish is a large Catholic church located in Camarillo, California. It was started in 1988, named after Father Junípero Serra after he was recognized by the church. For its first seven years, the church held its services at St. John's Seminary. In July 1995, a new, modern church building opened. This church is special because it has no traditional pews or kneelers, and its altar is in the center of the room. By 1995, the church had over 5,000 members. In 2007, Padre Serra Church became known for being the home parish of the first married Catholic priest in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.
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History of Padre Serra Parish
Before 1988, the area of Camarillo was served by St. Mary Magdalen Church. This church was established in 1910. By 1988, St. Mary Magdalen Church was not big enough for the growing population. So, about 2,500 church members from eastern Camarillo and the Santa Rosa Valley formed a new church.
For its first seven years, Padre Serra Church held its services in the main chapel of St. John's Seminary. This seminary is right next to where the church is today. During this time, they were planning and raising money for the new church building. By 1995, the church had grown to 5,000 members. Padre Serra Parish has had three main leaders, called pastors. They are Father Liam Kidney (1987–1999), Father Jarlath Dolan (1999–2010), and Father Patrick Mullen (2010–present).
Exploring the Church Buildings
A 12-acre site was chosen for the new church. This land is on Upland Road, next to St. John's Seminary. Father Kidney, the first pastor, felt the location was perfect. He said it had views of the sea, valleys, and mountains. He wanted the church to show "awesomeness, art, beauty, and life."
The new church opened in July 1995. Cardinal Mahony led the special dedication ceremony. By this time, the church had 5,000 members. The building cost $5 million and was designed by architect David Martin. His grandfather had designed Camarillo's first Catholic church. The Los Angeles Times described the new church as looking like a "Mediterranean villa." It has a bell tower and walls with earth-toned colors.
The church building has several unique features:
- Instead of long, fixed benches called pews, it has individual wooden seats. These seats can be moved. This allows the church to be set up differently for special events.
- Most Catholic churches are rectangular with the altar at the front. Padre Serra Church is shaped like an octagon. The altar is in the middle of the room. The architect, David Martin, wanted this design to focus more on the people attending.
- The tabernacle is not in the main church building. It is in a separate chapel called the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The tabernacle sits on a large granite rock in the center of this chapel.
- The church complex includes classrooms, offices, a chapel, and a courtyard. It also has a 75-foot bell tower. There were also plans for a school and a special garden.
- All parts of the building face a central courtyard. This courtyard has a fountain and plants. It leads directly to the main worship hall, which has large, wooden ceilings.
- The high ceiling has large, exposed wood beams. The designer, Ed Holakiewicz, said this creates a warm feeling. It also makes it seem like everything is reaching towards heaven.
- The church combines modern ideas with traditional California mission style. This includes the large wooden front doors, the bell tower, the courtyard, and the fountain.
David Martin, the architect, believed the church's design would appeal to new churchgoers. Ventura County Supervisor Maggie Kildee said the church would become a landmark. Its pink bell tower can be seen from far away.
Not everyone has praised the church's design. One Catholic publication described it as "an oddly designed building." It also mentioned the crucifix, saying it looked "contorted." The reviewer noted that there were "no stations of the cross, no tabernacle" in the main church. When directed to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, the reviewer found the tabernacle "shaped like a brass Dutch oven upon a rock." However, a 2000 poll ranked Padre Serra as one of the top churches for its architecture. It was praised for its "village" concept and unique design.
First Married Priest in Los Angeles Archdiocese
In 2007, Padre Serra Church received national attention. This happened when Reverend Bill Lowe was assigned to the parish. Reverend Lowe was a retired Episcopal priest from Massachusetts. He had been married for 44 years and had adult children and grandchildren. After retiring and moving to Camarillo, he became a member at Padre Serra. Reverend Lowe then decided to become a Catholic priest.
There is a special rule that allows married clergy who leave the Episcopal Church to become Catholic priests. They can get a special permission to not follow the Catholic celibacy rule. In May 2007, Cardinal Mahony ordained Reverend Lowe at Padre Serra Church. This made him the first married priest in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.
Connection with Father Serra
In December 1987, Pope John Paul II announced that Father Serra would be recognized by the church. Father Serra was the founder of the California Missions.
At that time, the Los Angeles Archdiocese asked for permission to name the new church in Camarillo "Blessed Junipero Serra." This was an unusual step, as this recognition usually comes before being named a saint. Father Liam Kidney, the first pastor, remembered that Cardinal Mahony asked him to name the new church after Father Serra.
Naming the church after Father Serra caused some discussion. Some California Indian leaders felt that Father Serra had a negative impact on their cultures. They believed he played a part in changing their way of life. Others, like Msgr. Francis J. Weber, had different views. He believed that the Native American cultures were not as developed as some thought. He also said that any discipline at the missions was like how parents disciplined children in Europe at that time. However, a professor from CSUN disagreed. They stated that California Indians had complex societies and beliefs. They felt that such comments ignored the rich cultures that existed.
Pastors of Padre Serra Parish
The priests who have led Padre Serra Church are:
- Rev. Liam Kidney, 1987–1999
- Rev. Jarlath Dolan, 1999–2010
- Rev. Patrick Mullen, 2010-
See also
- Santa Barbara Pastoral Region
