History of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Ontario, started as a chapel of St. George Parish, which planned it as a center of Christian doctrine dedicated to St. Teresa. On Sundays only one Mass with 75 participants was celebrated. Today 4,000 parishioners attend six Masses on the weekend.

The parish was established in 1935 with Fr. Jose Nunez as its first pastor. The construction of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at its present location in 1946 was completed for the opening ceremony on December 12, 1948.

Parishioners celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with special solemnity every year. Activities begin on the eve of the feast and continue throughout the night. The community profess their love to the Virgin in large numbers, coming to worship, sing, dance and bear candles and flowers. Holy Week activities also draw and involve large crowds of adults and children as the last days of Jesus' life are dramatized.

The 50th anniversary of the parish in 1998 occasioned a great celebration with Bishop Gerald R. Barnes, Bishop of the Diocese of San Bernardino, presiding.