History: St. Rita Catholic Church, 1930-2026

The original church, now the Parish Hall, was built in 1916 as a mission church of St. Anselm. The cost of the 3 acres of land and the new construction was $4,500. The new church was 30x90 feet and accommodated 225 people. On the first Sunday of August 1916, the church was officially dedicated by Archbishop Edward J. Hanna. The name of St. Rita was chosen by the Archbishop to honor the newly canonized Saint Rita of Cascia, who was referred to as “The Saint of the Impossible”. St. Rita remained a mission of Saint Anselm's until January 1930.

In January 1930, St. Rita's Church officially became a Parish. Major renovations to build a vestibule, baptistery and extend the choir loft occurred that year. Building a new sacristy, enlarging the sanctuary, and general refurbishing took place in 1947. However, with the influx of young Catholic families moving north from San Francisco, it became necessary to build a larger facility. In the fall of 1952, ground was broken for the new St. Rita's Church. When the building was completed, the dedication took place on May 30, 1953 officiated by Most Reverend John J. Mitty, Archbishop of San Francisco, with a large contingent of priests from throughout the Archdiocese. The new church was 8,500 square feet and seated 550 people on the main floor with 100 more seats in the choir loft. Total cost was $200,000. A 328 pipe organ was installed in the choir loft in 1953. The 20 stained glass windows were designed by Carl Huneke, of San Francisco.

The early 1950's saw the Parish grow from 60 families to 760. In January 1955 Archbishop Mitty gave his official blessing for a major fundraising campaign to build a new school and convent. Construction commenced in May 1957 and was completed in August, just in time for the opening of school in September 1957.

Father Albert Duffy invited a group of Sisters from the Daughters of the Holy Spirit to staff the school. They arrived on August 30, 1957. On September 10, 1957 school officially opened with an enrollment of 220 students representing grades 1st through 5th. An additional grade was added each year until there were 8 grades. The sisters remained at St. Rita's until June 1976 when they were replaced with lay teachers and a lay principal.

In October 1969 there were two fires at St. Rita's – one unplanned, the other planned. On a Saturday night, a fire of unknown origin broke out in the Hall and did extensive damage. The following day, Sunday, there was a “mortgage- burning” fire to celebrate the end of the school, church, convent and rectory debt.

The debt had been secured by parishioners who had pledged a specified sum during the special parish fund drive.

A kindergarten was established in 1978, housed in the former Holy Ghost Convent. In 1982 an extended day care center was added.

In 1986, Bennett House, a retirement complex for low-to-moderate income elderly and disabled people, was built on the property adjacent to the school yard. The complex was developed by Catholic Charities of San Francisco, Catholic Social Services of Marin and St. Rita Church. It was funded with a loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Development as well as grants from the Marin County and San Francisco Foundation. The 70-unit residence is named after Father Peter Bennett, a Pastor at St. Rita from 1930 to 1946. A major renovation of the Hall, as it exists today, was undertaken by an all-volunteer group of parishioners in 1990.

June 1998 saw the beginning of construction for the science and computer building. The work was also done with an all-volunteer group of parishioners, many of whom had previously donated their time and energy toward the Hall renovation. Father Al Vucinovich described the parishioners as "old time San Francisco...unpretentious, stable and with a can-do attitude when things need to be done". Official dedication of the science and computer building took place September 12, 1999 with Bishop John Wester officiating.

St. Rita’s is very fortunate to have had such dedicated and committed parishioners over the years. Those of us who are current parishioners, who enjoy the many blessings and benefits of St. Rita’s, are indeed indebted to those who have gone before us. We hope that we can leave for future generations the many blessings that make this Parish so very special.

Succession of Pastors

Rev. William Cantwell, 1916-1930

Rev. M. J. Walsh, 1930

Rev. Peter Bennett, 1930-1946

Rev. Edgar Boyle, 1946-1949

Rev. Thomas O’Kane, 1949-1951

Rev. Albert Duffy, 1951-1960

Rev. Jeremiah Gleeson, 1960-1972

Rev. Ernest Spacher, 1972-1973

Rev. John Heaney, 1973-1979

Rev. Gerald Horan, 1979-1984

Rev. Joseph Sullivan, 1984-1986

Rev. Albert Vucinovich, 1986-1998

Rev. Robert Cipriano, 1998-2004

Rev. Dr. Kenneth Weare, 2004-2024

Rev. Sebastine Bula, V.C. 2024-present