Church of the Nativity stands at 210 Oak Grove Avenue in Menlo Park, a white-painted redwood church known for perpetual Eucharistic adoration, a Sunday Traditional Latin Mass and generations of neighborhood service. Its history includes two moves that earned the affectionate name the roamin' Catholic Church.
A Church That Moved Twice
The parish began in 1872 when Archbishop Alemany dedicated a chapel on an acre at Ringwood and Middlefield. It was a mission of St. Matthew's in San Mateo and served the Catholic populations of Menlo Park, Atherton, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Mountain View and nearby rural districts. Nativity became a parish in 1877, and Father G. A. Speckels became its first resident pastor.
The original building was 40 by 55 feet and largely made of redwood. When ownership of the surrounding land changed in 1878, the chapel was moved to Santa Cruz Avenue. It moved again in 1879 to Oak Grove Avenue, where it was enlarged with the present altar and tower. Peter Donohue gave the 1,200-pound bell, which rang for the first time on Christmas Day 1881. A transept and sacristy were added before the expanded church was dedicated on February 12, 1888, by Archbishop Riordan. The Altar Society donated the rose window over the main altar in 1900.
The 1906 earthquake left the church virtually untouched, although a fallen chimney heavily damaged the rectory and trapped several priests, who escaped unhurt on fire department ladders. The present rectory dates to 1941, and Nativity Hall was built in 1908. Nativity was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
Redwood Gothic and Italian Art
The church's Gothic Revival form resembles late-19th-century New England parish churches, with pointed arches, buttresses and pinnacles. Its redwood frame is painted white, and the interior includes handmade stained glass, hand-carved side altars and the rose window. Lawns, palms and oaks surround the church.
Father Luigi Sciocchetti brought a European artistic presence to the parish. Ordained in 1901, he studied at the Vatican Gallery under Ludwig Seitz and earned a national reputation for church painting in Italy. After being banished from Italy by Benito Mussolini in 1925, he and his brother were invited to serve in the Archdiocese of San Francisco by Archbishop Edward Hanna. Father Sciocchetti worked at Nativity in the 1940s and frequently assisted its Italian community.
- The Nativity Grotto and sculptures of the Holy Family
- The designs and paintings of both side altars
- The Our Lady of Perpetual Help icon and Our Lady of Fatima mosaic
- The St. Joseph statue and altar brackets
- The St. John the Baptist plaque in the Reconciliation Room
- The main altar painting, completed in 2008
He signed his work with Opus Amoris, meaning a work of love.
Mass on Oak Grove
Nativity's regular worship schedule includes Mass every morning and evening on weekdays, Saturday morning Mass, a Saturday vigil and four Sunday Masses.
- Saturday vigil: 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
- Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:00 a.m.
The 12:30 Sunday Mass is celebrated in the Traditional Latin rite. The Mass is centered on the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist: Scripture is proclaimed, the Psalm is sung, the homily is shared, the Creed is professed, bread and wine are offered, and the Eucharist is received. Nativity teaches that Jesus Christ is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist, which is at the center of the Church's sacramental life.
Confession at Nativity
Sacrament of Confession is offered on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m., from 10:00 a.m. to noon with an Opus Dei priest, and from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. with a parish priest. A Sunday confession is also offered from noon to 12:30 p.m.
Low-Gluten Hosts
Low-gluten altar bread is available for people who are gluten-intolerant. The hosts contain less than 0.01 percent gluten and are approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Communicants who need one may go to the end of the Communion line and tell the priest.
Twenty-Four Hours Before the Blessed Sacrament
Since 1996, Church of the Nativity has maintained Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration around the clock, every day of the week. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the altar in the monstrance, and people are present for adoration at all times except during official functions such as Mass, weddings and funerals. Catholics from the parish and surrounding area sign up to spend one hour each week in prayer.
Each hour begins with a prayer said in community, followed by silence. The stated intentions include peace in the world, protection of marriage and families, religious liberty, the spiritual growth of Nativity Parish and School, increased priestly and religious vocations, respect for human life from conception onward, the souls in purgatory, the needs recorded in the parish petition book and gratitude for God's gifts. People unable to keep a scheduled hour are encouraged to give as much advance notice as possible.
Learning at Nativity
School of Religion for Children and Youth
The Nativity School of Religion serves Grades 1 through 8. Its catechesis introduces children to the goodness and beauty of God, helps them experience the Catholic community and supports their growth in faith, understanding of Catholic tradition, unity in Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Children at Nativity School and in the School of Religion are prepared for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation.
Confirmation preparation follows a two-year sequence beginning in seventh grade, with Confirmation conferred in eighth grade. First Communion is generally celebrated in spring for second-grade students after two years of preparation. Altar serving is open to boys and girls beginning in fourth grade, with training in the Mass, the responsibilities of the role, decorum and appropriate attire.
Adult Initiation and Faith Formation
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults welcomes people who are not baptized, were baptized in another Christian tradition, are Catholics who have not received First Communion or Confirmation, or are returning to active Catholic life. Weekly Wednesday classes from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. in the O'Hare Center combine study, prayer and discussion. The program follows six stages:
- Evangelization and the period of inquiry
- The Order of Initiation
- The Catechumenate
- The Rite of Election
- Purification and Enlightenment
- Mystagogy after the Easter Vigil
Adult faith formation has included Bible study and discussions of the Catechism, the sacraments, spiritual life, prayer, Mary, apologetics and other aspects of Catholic life. Music also has a central place in the parish's worship. Director of Music Dr. Christopher Berry serves the 9:30 a.m. Sunday liturgy and the 12:30 Traditional Latin Mass.
What Nativity Teaches
The parish teaches that human beings are created by God in love and possess inherent dignity. Its beliefs center on the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, the life, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, the communion of saints, the Church as the living Body of Christ, the forgiveness of sins and the seven sacraments. Nativity also emphasizes stewardship, sharing time, talent and treasure in service to others.
Rosaries, Novenas and Nightly Prayer
Sunday Holy Hour and the Wednesday Novena
Every Sunday at 7:00 p.m., the parish gathers for Holy Hour to pray for the protection, unity and holiness of the parish and its priests. The hour includes the rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, a short talk on spiritual life when a deacon is present, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Everyone is welcome.
On Tuesday evening, the Cenacle of Life meets after the 5:30 p.m. Mass for two Rosaries, including the Cenacle of Life meditations, a prayer to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary and prayer for religious liberty. Members also pray for an end to abortion and crimes against life. The group's practice includes a weekly day of fasting on bread and water; those who cannot fast that way may instead give up a favorite activity. On Wednesday evening after the 5:30 p.m. Mass, a Novena to St. Joseph is prayed, with one 5:30 p.m. Mass each month celebrated in his honor. The Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help follows Thursday's 5:30 p.m. Mass.
From Morning Prayer to the Legion of Mary
The Men's Prayer Group meets every Saturday from 6:15 to 8:00 a.m. It begins with the Church's Morning Prayer, includes extended discussion of spiritual topics and experiences, and concludes with the rosary. Some participants remain for the 8:00 a.m. Mass. Confession is generally available during the meeting when a priest is present.
The Legion of Mary meets in the O'Hare Center each Monday at 8:00 a.m. Its members seek to grow in spiritual life, share their Catholic faith, bring Communion to homebound parishioners and encourage others to believe in Jesus and to pray. The Thursday Group welcomes people age 50 and over, along with their caregivers and drivers, for noon gatherings at the O'Hare Center. Activities include the rosary, bingo and arts and crafts, with coffee, tea, dessert and light refreshments.
Fatima, Medjugorje and Monthly Devotions
From May through October, Nativity celebrates the 13th of each month with a 7:00 p.m. Fatima Mass, rosary, candlelight procession, talk on the apparitions and Benediction. When the 13th falls on Saturday, the observance moves to Friday; when it falls on Sunday, it moves to the following Monday. The Infant Jesus of Prague Prayer Society meets on the 17th of each month, usually at 3:00 p.m., for a novena, litany and special prayer intentions. Its statue was installed and dedicated in 2007.
A Medjugorje prayer gathering meets on Monday at 7:00 p.m., and a Spanish-language session meets on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The Nativity Family Rosary also gathers on Monday at 7:00 p.m.
Respect for Human Life
Nativity's Respect Life Committee advocates for vulnerable human life, especially the unborn and the elderly. Its activities include the Walk for Life West Coast, prayer with children and their mothers outside Planned Parenthood in Redwood City on the first Saturday of each month, and participation in 40 Days for Life prayer campaigns. The committee also supports groups for mothers and children after birth and encourages parishioners to communicate with lawmakers about legislation affecting the sanctity of human life.
Food Delivered to the Door
Nativity's conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society was founded in 1964 and is entirely volunteer-run. Its distinctive form of assistance brings food and grocery gift cards directly to the homes of neighbors within the parish boundaries. Food generally comes from Second Harvest Food Bank. Assistance is provided once per month, with deliveries arranged on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays according to volunteer availability. Service is offered regardless of race, religion or other factors.
The conference also processes requests for rent and utility assistance and provides vouchers for St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores in San Mateo County. It also supports the St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Help Center in Redwood City and the Catherine Center, a residential safe home for women recently released from incarceration. Fifth Sunday brown-bag collections provide a recurring source of support, with year-end gifts and online contributions adding to that support. Online gifts can be made through Nativity's online giving.
Adopt-a-Family at Christmas
Each Christmas season, Nativity parishioners adopt more than 200 local families in need, selected by the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society and other appropriate organizations. Participating families provide gifts for the children, a family gift, two bags of nonperishable food and a grocery store gift card. Parishioners also purchase wish-list items such as diapers and soap for organizations assisting people experiencing poverty or homelessness. Toiletry bags for people experiencing homelessness include a $20 Target gift card. Volunteers help with sign-ups, packing and delivery.
Men's Club, Italian Culture and Altar Care
The Nativity Men's Club brings parish and school members together through social events focused on community. Membership is open to men age 21 and older. Monthly gatherings from September through May begin with a casual dinner and continue with a meeting. The club helps host the Fr. Davenport Memorial Golf Tournament, the cioppino dinner, pasta dinners, pancake breakfasts, the school movie night, carnival dinners and athletic booster events, while keeping family participation central.
Italian Catholic Federation Branch 351 meets on the first Thursday of each month after the 5:30 p.m. Mass. Members gather in the O'Hare Center for dinner, fellowship and a meeting while sharing Italian American culture, heritage and religious beliefs. The federation also supports local parishes and charities.
The Altar Society is led by Carol Hoy and tends the sanctuary with quiet, careful service. Its volunteers arrange flowers for Mass and special occasions, clean linens, polish silver, replenish holy-water fonts, maintain altar-server albs and care for the Nativity grotto outside. Their work connects the natural world with the sacred space of the historic church.
The Sacraments at the Center of Parish Life
Nativity presents the seven sacraments as the heart of Catholic sacramental life. Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage and Holy Orders nourish grace and build up faith. The Eucharist stands at the center, with the Mass making present Christ's saving death and resurrection and bringing the congregation together as the Body of Christ.
Baptism and First Communion
Baptisms are celebrated at 2:30 p.m. on the first, third and fifth Sundays of each month. Parents are required to attend a monthly preparation class offered on Saturday morning in the O'Hare Center, and godparents are encouraged to attend. At least one godparent is required, and godparents must be baptized, confirmed and practicing Catholics. The preparation class addresses salvation history, the liturgy and principles of Baptism, and ways to raise a child in the faith.
Marriage at the Parish
Marriage is understood as a covenant that gives a couple the grace to live in faithful, fruitful and self-giving love. Preparation for the sacrament is treated as an important part of spiritual life, and couples are welcomed into the active life of the parish community. Previous religious or civil marriages must be declared before a wedding date is confirmed. Nativity's historic church and staff assist with weddings, and the parish also celebrates funerals.
Confirmation, Anointing and Communion at Home
Children in eighth grade receive Confirmation after two years of preparation. Adults seeking Confirmation are directed to the Archdiocese of San Francisco's preparation program. The Anointing of the Sick is available for anyone struggling with illness and is intended to bring healing, comfort and strength, with physical healing possible through God's power. Ministers also bring Holy Communion on Sundays to parishioners unable to attend Mass because of illness or infirmity.
Finding a Place at Nativity
Menlo Park's Church of the Nativity welcomes people who are visiting briefly, returning to Catholic practice, considering becoming Catholic or seeking a new parish home. Parish registration is offered for individuals and families. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m.
Parking uses one entrance and one exit driveway. There are ample spaces, but they can fill quickly for Sunday morning Mass, weddings and funerals, so street parking in front of the church is also available. Parking is prohibited in the residential streets across Oak Grove Avenue. The church's Spanish-language prayer group and Traditional Latin Mass reflect the multilingual character of Nativity's worship and prayer life.
Nativity's identity is found in the union of a small wooden chapel that became a landmark, a sanctuary open around the clock, and a parish that continues to gather, form disciples and serve its neighbors.