Queen of Angels Catholic Church

In 1946, a hopeful whisper echoed through the remote hills of Alpine. Catholic families, longing for a place of worship closer than the 30-mile trek to El Cajon or Descanso, finally had their prayers answered. The Sheedy family generously opened their ranch on Highway 80 for Mass. This humble beginning marked the birth of what we now know as Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Queen of Angels wasn’t always its name. Originally, the church, built on land donated by John Vitalich, was christened St. Philomena. On Christmas Day, 1951, the first Mass was celebrated within its newly constructed walls. Later, on June 15, 1952, Bishop Charles F. Buddy officially dedicated the parish. Imagine the close-knit community gathering in the church, choir loft, and even the small kitchen for catechism classes. Queen of Angels Catholic Church continued to grow. Parishioners, demonstrating their dedication, built new classrooms in 1966. These rooms, steeped in history, are still in use today. In 1984, under the guidance of Father Laurence McLaughlin, the church underwent an expansion to accommodate its burgeoning congregation of 225 families. A new kitchen and a multipurpose room, now serving as the parish hall, were added. Queen of Angels Catholic Church has always been more than just bricks and mortar. It represents the unwavering faith and dedication of its members. Three women, Cleo Wallen, Carmen Lewis, and Anna Jerney, stand as testaments to this spirit. In the early 1990s, they were honored by Pope John Paul II for their roles as founding members. The parish itself celebrated these remarkable women in August 1999. By the late 1990s, Queen of Angels was bursting at the seams. The “Built of Living Stones” capital campaign was launched, paving the way for a new building. Ground was broken in January 2010, and in May 2011, the first Mass was celebrated in the expanded space. Queen of Angels Catholic Church stands as a beacon of faith, a testament to the dedication of its founders and the continued devotion of its community. It has grown from a humble gathering on a ranch to a thriving parish, serving generations of families.