Parish History

1940s - 1950s

The families and farm laborers of the Queen Creek area, with the help and guidance from Saint Anne Parish in Gilbert, organized the first Catholic congregation in the late 1940’s. By the early 1950’s, the school district had acquired several wooden barracks from Williams Air Force Base for use as classrooms, a cafeteria and an auditorium. The auditorium doubled as a facility for mass and for the visiting priest to hear confessions. Nuns would also teach catechism classes during the summer. Although the congregation appreciated the use of the school building, they looked forward to a time when they could worship in their own church.

1950s - 2000

In 1960, the members started raising money for a building fund. Father Joseph N Patterson of Chandler helped with the purchase of property and Father Charles O’Hern of Gilbert helped acquire a barracks building from Williams Field Air Force base. The barracks building was moved to the site on the north side of Ocotillo Road where it still stands today. By 1975, the chapel building was deemed unsafe and new fundraising efforts were started. In 1988, seven acres of land was purchased across the street for a new multipurpose building. Father Douglas Lorig was appointed as the first administrator on July 1, 1988. Groundbreaking on the new facility took place in July 1988 for use as a worship space and hall to seat up to 400 people. The new church and hall were dedicated on December 12, 1988. The old chapel was converted into classrooms and ministries space.

2000s - Today

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission began to grow over 1,200 families around 2006. With this burgeoning population came calls for a dedicated parish, a place of worship offering the Catholic sacraments and ministries. Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission was elevated to parish status by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix on June 20, 2006. The new parish was administered by the Legionaries of Christ. Father Michael Shannon was appointed as the first pastor on August 15, 2006.

In 2004, the Juan Diego building began construction and was completed in 2006. The building provided offices for the parish and classrooms for Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy. Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy Catholic school was in existence from 2008-2014.

The current pastor is Father Craig W.M. Friedley. Our parish currently serves 3,000 families and growing…

Summary found in Diocese of Phoenix-Encountering the Living Christ 2009.