Catholics in Oroville 150 years ago found themselves building a mission church at the very moment in history when gold was discovered in their town.

Members of that Butte County pioneer community joined together in faith for the first Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish’s mission church in 1857.

Now in the midst of a sesquicentennial celebration, the Oroville parish has experienced families come and go and seen the city change, but Father Benedict De Leon, pastor, says parishioners’ devotion to their faith is unwavering.

“To live and work among the parishioners of Oroville is to understand and experience the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians, that ‘their love comes from the heart of the Lord himself,’” said Father De Leon, who has served as pastor for the past six years.

Since first visiting St. Thomas the Apostle when he was serving as diocesan vocations director, Father De Leon views parishioners as making up “among the most friendly, welcoming and hospitable churches in the diocese.”

More than 200 parishioners and friends attended a special 150th anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop William K. Weigand on Sept. 9.

Father Steven Foppiano, pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Paradise, was the homilist. The liturgy featured music by a combined adult and St. Thomas the Apostle School children’s choir.

A luncheon reception following Mass was held in the community center.

Among those present for the celebration was Joan Briggs, principal of St. Thomas the Apostle School.

Having moved to Oroville in 1988, Briggs said ever since she and her husband Victor first attended Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle, they’ve found a vibrant sense of community there.

“There are about 40 ministries. If you need something, we have something to belong to for every facet of a person’s life,” she said.

Briggs said parishioners view St. Thomas the Apostle School as integral to the life of the parish. Students are exposed to “a character curriculum” with grade-appropriate lessons focused on the Beatitudes.

Kindergarten students give Christmas cards to elderly parishioners and eighth graders work with the physically handicapped.

“Not only does it teach children to be giving to others, it also teaches what it means to be a parishioner -- taking care of each other,” Briggs said.

Jim and Gayle Ryan have been members of St. Thomas the Apostle for over a third of its 150-year history, arriving in Oroville in 1946.

“It’s a beautiful little church inside and out,” said Jim Ryan, a member of the Knights of Columbus and a partner with Gayle in supporting numerous parish fund-raising projects. Three of the Ryan’s four children attended St. Thomas the Apostle School.

Gayle has served as president of the Legion of Mary, the Mothers’ Club and as parish secretary for 18 years.

She said the spirit exhibited by founding parishioners 150 years ago was still evident during the “the big earthquake of 1975 when the church steeple fell off.”

“It was about a six-point quake, so Mass was just held in the auditorium for awhile,” she recalled.

Father Foppiano also has a special place in his heart for St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, because it redirected both his life and vocation.

In 1988, while working as a distribution manager for a large cannery, Father Foppiano, who had been away from the Catholic Church for several years. found his way to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish.

He became involved in just about every ministry, including the Knights of Columbus and a charismatic prayer group.

“I found the men very active in the faith and open to me. Everyone was very friendly,” Father Foppiano said. “I learned how to pray there and rediscovered Jesus Christ.”

He acknowledged the priceless legacy of a church community which over the past 150 years has passed on the faith.

“In many ways my vocation can be attributed to those who came before,” Father Foppiano said. “We’re all grateful for the faith handed down to us and take on the responsibility to pass it on to the next generation.”

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