Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
In 1944, Most Rev. Charles F. Buddy, the first Bishop of San Diego, authorized the establishment of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Otay, California. The parish register opened on December 12, 1944, with the first baptism celebrated on December 14 by Rev. Vincent Cizauskas, the first pastor (1944–1945). Construction of the first church began with the generous donation of land by the San Martin family, in whose home the first Masses had been held. The small church was located at the corner of Anita and Fresno Streets, with only twelve pews on each side.
From 1945 to 1946, Rev. Paul B. Ward served as pastor, followed by Rev. Theodore J. Hatton (1946–1947) and Rev. J.A. Browne (1947).
That same year, Rev. Jacob A. DeMoor requested from the diocese a permanent priest to serve the Spanish-speaking community. He was assigned pastor and remained for 10 years (1947–1958).
As the number of parishioners grew, plans for a new church began. About one mile from the original site, on 4th Street between Palomar and Oxford, 4.22 acres of land were purchased. Bishop Buddy granted permission to build a larger church of Our Lady of Guadalupe there. Parishioners helped in the construction, but after much discussion, the new church was renamed Most Precious Blood Church and was dedicated in late 1958.
The parishioners of Our Lady of Guadalupe petitioned the bishop to return to the original site at Anita and Fresno to better serve the Spanish-speaking community.
From Diocesan to Religious Congregation Administration
In 2017, Bishop Robert McElroy entrusted the parish to the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo (Scalabrinians), whose charism is the pastoral care of migrants, refugees, and seafarers. The first Scalabrinian pastor was Rev. Ramiro Chan, C.S., with Rev. Louis Féliere, C.S. as associate. Though the transition was challenging, the priests worked hard to introduce the Scalabrinian mission and form Scalabrinian lay collaborators, who also support the Casa del Migrante in Tijuana.
