From the establishment of Saint Oscar Romero parish in Eastvale on Nov. 29, 2015, with an opening Mass at Jurupa Valley High School celebrated by founding pastor, Father Patrick Kirsch, the Catholic population in this bedroom community of western Riverside County has continued to grow. So much so that it’s time to build a home of their own.
The parish marked its 10th anniversary last month by launching a capital campaign to build a parish Ministry Center on its 10–acre site on Chandler Street in Eastvale. While St. Oscar Romero has grown steadily in its first decade, the parish has continued to celebrate weekly Mass at nearby school campuses while it pursued plans to build its own campus.
“Our past has laid a strong foundation, but it’s our future that fills my heart with excitement, a future made possible by the dedication of our parishioners,” parish Pastor, Father Tomás Guillen said in a video message. “We are Rooted in Faith and Rising in Hope! I am deeply grateful to the over 60 individuals who have poured their time and talents into planning our capital campaign.”
St. Oscar Romero’s long-range vision includes a new church, ministry center and grade school. The first construction after infrastructure upgrades will be the new parish Ministry Center. A series of capital campaigns will be needed in order to achieve all goals. The first campaign, in only a few weeks, had already raised $1.2 million, at press time.
The parish Ministry Center will be where weekend Masses are celebrated until a church is built. In 2016, the Mass location was moved to Rosa Parks Elementary School and eventually to the present location, Dr. Augustine Ramirez Intermediate School, Eastvale. The center will save the parish money as it would no longer have to rent the elementary school for worship services.
In April 2025, Fr. Guillen celebrated the parish’s first Mass on its Chandler Street property. Faithful parishioners sat outside on a cement slab as Fr. Guillen exclaimed, “Thanks to God, this is the first time that we gather here in this place, our home, and we hope and pray to say I will be there the very first day when the hall is right here.”
To help donate to St. Oscar Romero’s capital campaign, please call 951-647-4757 or visit https://buildstoscarromero.org/join-the-mission/