History of St. Mary’s Church

(1922-2021)

In the 1870s, Catholics in the Eastern San Joaquin Valley were served by visiting missionary priests from Visalia, Ca. They came to Centerville and other inhabited places in the area, before railroads determined which cities should grow and which should stagnate.

In 1888 the Southern Pacific Railroad laid its lines between Fresno and Bakersfield, which created the town of Sanger. Sanger was guaranteed its future when the young city was chosen as a terminus for a lumber flume early in the 1890s. The community thrived on the lumber industry and later became an important agricultural center.

Sanger’s first place of Catholic worship was the result of the efforts of “Aunt” Mary Laffterty in 1901. She solicited funds from among her Catholic and non-Catholic friends, and a mission church was constructed on Seventh Street, Between N and O Streets. This first church was led by Father Gerald Gay of Fresno as a mission of the parishes of St. Anthony of Reedley, St. Alphonsus of Fresno and Our Lady of Perpetual Help of Clovis for the next 20 years. It was not until August 10, 1922 that St. Mary’s Church was established as a parish of its own with Reverend J.W. Smiers as its first pastor (1922-1924).

Having benefited from mission service, St. Mary’s offered its help to other missions being established. First it offered its service to Clovis, and later under Fr. P.F. Casey, to St . Rita’s in Squaw Valley which is now a mission of St. Isodore the Farmer in Orange Cove, Ca. St Rita’s was established when Fr. Casey received help from the Bureau of Catholic Missions and Mrs. Overholser donated land for a church. The missions have continued development through the help of volunteer labor from the parish and funds from the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions. For 15 years the children and adults of St. Rita’s had benefited from the instruction of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament of Fresno.

Father Robert H. Lewis came to St. Mary’s in 1935, and under his guidance a mission was established in Del Rey (St. Katherine’s). Fr. Lewis was succeeded by the Reverend Michael Managan (1945-1953), it was under his leadership that the present church on O Street and its rectory were constructed. The first Mass was celebrated in the church on April 6, 1947.

In the postwar years, the City of Sanger grew so rapidly that it was deemed necessary to provide more adequate facilities for the parish. When Monsignor Joseph Losada arrived in 1959, there were over 1,000 families living within the parish boundaries. He negotiated the purchase of 10 acres of land at North and Bethel Avenues where St. Mary’s Hall now stands. Unfortunately, Fr. Losada never saw the fruits of his labors, as he died in an automobile accident while visiting Spain on September 1, 1961.

St. Mary’s Hall became a reality under Fr. Francis J. Gallagher, who succeeded Monsignor Losada. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on February 10, 1963. Through the generous efforts of members of the parish the building was finally completed and the first banquet was held in the hall in October 1963. This spacious structure for many years was used for Masses on Sunday, catechetical instructions and general parish functions and still functions as a place of gathering.

Also under Fr. Gallagher’s pastorate, St. Mary’s Church on O St. was renovated. New Altars were installed to comply with the teaching of Vatican II. In 1966 the old church located at the rear of the O St. property was torn down and the basement was filled in, allowing for an irrigation system to be installed and the property landscaped. Also during this period, chimes were installed in the church through the generosity of a parishioner.

The Reverend Harry L. Eggert became pastor of the St. Mary’s Parish on December 1, 1969. During his short stay at St. Mary’s, an air conditioning system was installed in the church hall and the halls parking lot was paved. Fr. Eggerts’ stay in St. Mary’s was brief, but he helped to develop the parish spiritually and financially. His tenure was noteworthy in that he was elevated to the position of Domestic Prelate with the title of Monsignor while here. Later he was transferred to St. Anne’s Parish in Porterville. Succeeding Fr. Eggert, Monsignor Maurice Lahey came to Sanger from Sacred Heart Parish of Fresno. Under his leadership, our parish celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 1972.

Any history of the parish world be incomplete without taking note of the significant contribution of the good sisters of the Holy Family who served as catechists at St. Mary’s from 1929 to 1984. Likewise, we recognize that parish efforts are the work of the people of God. So many parishioners have made significant contributions to the development our parish that we hesitate to mention them all by name, for we would not know where to end the list.

A major change in leadership of the parish came with the arrival of the Rogationist Fathers on July 1, 1978. Fr. Salvatore Ciranni R.C.J was the first Rogationist Pastor who brought new enthusiasm and spiritual renewal to the parish, he died in Messina, Italy on September 24, 2015. He was succeeded in 1981 by his associate Fr. Luigi Lazarri R.C.J. During his pastorate, different lay ministries were developed, especially for the youth with the Agape Youth Group which until today has brought Catholics education and involvement for the youth in Sanger. Fr. Luigi left Sanger in 1984 and is presently residing in Italy.

Fr. John Bruno R.C.J succeeded him as pastor, and in 1987 a fundraising campaign was started to build a new church to replace the hall as a place of worship fitting for the Lord. In 1944 the parish was expanded with the addition of a mission, St. Katherine’s Church in Del Rey. The dream of constructing a new church for worship was realized on January 11, 2000 when the new St. Mary’s Church was consecrated by his Excellency Bishop John T. Steinbock, D.D. After the consecration of the new church, Fr. John Bruno was reassigned to St. Elizabeth’s Church in Van Nuys Ca.

Fr. Vito Di Marzio R.C.J. became pastor from 2000-2004 succeeded by Fr. Fillipo Puntrello R.C.J. from 2004-2008 and Fr. Peter Quinto R.C.J. from 2008-2012. Fr. Rene Panlasigui R.C.J. administered the parish while waiting for the return of Fr. John Bruno R.C.J. as pastor, 2012-Present.

All of out Rogationist Priests have continued the work of their founder St. Hannibal Di Francia with an increased awareness of the charism of prayer for vocations and service of the poor. With the Fr. Hannibal House and Social Center founded in 1989, St. Mary’s has continually served those in need not only in the City of Sanger, but also in surrounding towns.

Now, as we approach the 100th Anniversary of our Parish, we remember and celebrate the many pastors and associate pastors who have built this church to what it is today with grateful hearts. We also celebrate the many individuals and group organizations who have worked incessantly for the betterment of our parish.

On August 10, 2021 we celebrated the opening celebration of 100 years of the parish (1922-2022). The Holy Mass was celebrated by Fresno Diocese Bishop Joseph Brennan, which was also the first time he had visited Sanger since he was appointed Bishop. When the service concluded the Bishop and fellow priests (Fr. John Bruno, Fr. Mark Destura, Fr. Rene Panlasigui, Fr. Peter Quinto, Fr. Denny Joseph, Fr. Thomas Michayel, Fr. Francisco Javier Flores, Fr. Raul Sanchez, Deacon David Alanis, Deacon Cesar Gonzales, Sr. Noemi Luna, Srs. of the Divine Zeal) held a procession with mariachi De la Tierra to the mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The mural by artist Ramiro Martinez was unveiled by Sanger Mayor Eli Ontiveros and Father John Bruno. After revealing the mural, members placed flowers at the feet of the Virgin Guadalupe and Bishop Joseph Brennan blessed the mural. When the Blessing was completed, community members were invited to St. Mary’s Hall for an exhibit of the history of St. Mary’s through the decades organized by Fr. Mark.

A few of our original parishioners and many of their sons and daughters, remember the significant events of the past 100 years. For them the history of St. Mary’s is a sentimental journey, while new parishioners will discover the rich heritage of St. Mary’s