The Church of San Agustín, nestled in the hills above Santa Cruz, is named after the original Mexican Land Grant, “San AgustÍn Ranchero,” which comprises all of the Scotts Valley area. The parish was established in 1969, three years after the small community of Scotts Valley incorporated into a city. A house on the property was remodeled to become the parish rectory. The first Mass was celebrated in a field next this house on June 8, 1969 by our first pastor, Father Michael MacDonald. Mass was also celebrated at the Scotts Valley School and then in an enlarged converted barn/garage on the property until ground breaking for the new multipurpose building began in September of 1969. The building was completed the following year in September of 1970. Our beautiful Spanish mission style cross was fashioned by the San Agustin Men’s Committee from a Santa Cruz Mountain redwood tree. It’s dedication in April 1971 marked the first Easter in the new chapel. The Sante Fe train bell hanging over the church was given to the parish by the Weinmann family and installed in April of 1972 and later dedicated to the memory of our first pastor, Father Mac.
The parish was shepherded by three different Irish priests for its first seventeen years; Father Michael McDonald for a little over one year, Father Joe Leonard for eight years and Father Martin McDonald also for eight years. Under their guidance, the small community began to grow and changes were made to the building to enhance the worship space, provide for religious education classrooms and parish social events. The original 30 plus families grew to over 150 plus during these years. Early on the meeting room was used for many years by the city as the first Scotts Valley City Council and Planning Commission chambers. Father Joe used to threaten the members with trips to the Confessional if they didn’t get along. With Father Joe’s Irish wit and influence, he helped the parish organize its first St. Patrick’s Dinner Party. Father Joe also called the women of the parish to organize an Altar Society to help keep God’s house in order. The group was formed and they also dedicated themselves to the Blessed Mother by erecting the Mary’s Grotto and a Rose Garden in her honor behind the rectory. Both are blooming today.
The next eight years brought even more changes with Father Michael Adams as pastor. The Pope visited the Monterey Diocese in 1987 and many parishioners took part in the Liturgies during this historic event. A St. Vincent de Paul Conference was established to help those less fortunate in our immediate area. Skylights were installed in the sanctuary along with a 150 year old pipe organ. Outside, the parishioners created a playground below the rectory and dedicated it to Father Joe Leonard. When the Loma Prieta earthquake shook our area on October 17, 1989, people came to the church to seek refuge. Many spent several nights feeling safe in God’s house. Miraculously, the building only had minor cracks in the floors. The rectory wasn’t so lucky. The warm community spirit continued as more families came to worship.
In 1994 Father Marvin Steffes came as Administrator for the better part of that year to help lead the parish until our new pastor would arrive. Father Marvin helped the parish celebrate its Silver Jubilee 25th Anniversary with a grand celebration and a new parish anniversary directory. Later that year, Father Matt Pennington came to shepherd the flock in Scotts Valley. For the next twelve years, under his guidance, the parish community grew by leaps and bounds to over 600 families. Father Matt continued to bring the Spirit of God to live among us. His knowledge and love of Liturgies is still reflected today. The building and grounds were upgraded, a parish office was built and the Sanctuary changed again temporarily to make everyone feel a part of the Liturgy. With Father Matt’s drive and enthusiasm, the Angels’ Auction, which first took place just before his arrival in 1993 to fund a Director of Religious Ed., grew to become one of the main events and fundraisers for our parish. It became so fun and successful that many other local schools and organizations modeled their auctions after ours. The Angels’ Auction helped fund parish programs for exactly twenty years.
In 2005 under Father Matt’s direction, the parishioners rallied with their input to create the “Lift up our House to the Lord” campaign and raised one-and-a half million dollars to update the church to be an environmentally beautiful welcoming place for all who seek God. The plans were drawn, construction started, and the roof raised by installing a dormer roof. During the construction, the parish rented the Scotts Valley Community Center from the city and worshiped the weekend services there. The project was completed in October 2005. Soon after, Father Matt had to say his good byes.
In 2006, the Irish priests came back to attend the flock. Father Derek Hughes was appointed Administrator and served the parish for a year whereupon Father Jerry Maher was appointed pastor. The famous St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance was resurrected in full Irish style. Even with the fall of the economy, the community pulled together as a family ready to help anyone in need. Father Jerry’s Irish wit and loving and compassionate personality helped us to sustain our community and spirit of faith.
In 2010, the Catholic Community of San Agustín celebrated its 40th Anniversary! Father Jerry Maher left to follow a new calling, so we welcomed, Father Seamus O’Brien as our 6th Irish priest. Under his direction, our annual San Agustín Golf Tournament was born. With his encouragement and guidance, the Knights of Columbus began establishing roots for a local council. Fr. Seamus helped us to make progress in continuing to pay off our building debt and balance our budget.
In 2013, our community received and welcomed Father John Griffin. Father John brought with him a background and of love of music and architecture. He inspired and encouraged unique changes to our worship and space during the various Liturgical seasons to enhance our sense of community. During his time with us, he helped our parish pay off our building debpt and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our Parish in June 2019.
Upon Father John's retirement and San Agustín's 50th Anniversary, our parish welcomed back a familiar Irish face, Father Seamus O'Brien. Father Seamus was thrilled to return to San Agustín and quickly rekindled the many relationships he had established in years past and enjoyed making new ones. He went right to work focussing on deferred maintenance needed including new landscaping, an upgrade to our sounds system, classroom flooring and painting, enhancement to our Sacred Heart statue, and a new Baptismal font where we welcome all new members into our faith family. Father Seamus also guided our parish through the uncertain and challenging times presented by the COVID pandemic.
At the end of June of 2023, Father Seamus retired from the priesthood and we once again welcomed back yet another familar Irish face, Fr. Jerry Maher. Fr. Jerry has settled right back in serving our special faith community, renewing friendships, making new ones and planning for the future of our parish.
Today our parish is comprised of about 500 registered households. Although considered a small parish, San Agustín has been able to sustain a a faith community and worship throughout the pandemic and today is welcoming new families, renewing ministries, community outreach, parish activities and faith sharing. ALL are are welcome to come, serve and worship the God who lives among us.