New Catholic Church Consecrated Saturday in Mission Viejo

If you've driven down Marguerite between La Paz and Oso lately, you've seen it rising from the grounds of St. Kilian's Catholic Church, 26872 Estanciero Drive. On Saturday, Bishop Kevin W. Vann will dedicate the recently completed 17,342 square foot church starting at 9 a.m.

The dedication ceremony will include holy oil and relics. Vann will place oil along the walls of the church in the same way oil is placed on a person during a consecration, church spokesman Ryan Lilyengren said.

In addition, relics will be added to the alter.

"They're relics of saints, so they're shards of bone," he said.

This is common church practice, he said, particularly in European churches.

A 425-lb., 9x13-ft. hand-cut glass mosaic portraying Jesus crucified rests above the altar.

Here are more details on the new church, courtesy of the Diocese of Orange:

This visually striking structure, designed by TBP Architecture of Newport Beach, represents the final phase of an ambitious master development plan that began with a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new Parish Center and Hall in 2007.

“I am truly inspired by the spiritual vitality and dedication of this parish community.  This recently completed parish church completes a building initiative aimed at helping meet the needs of our growing flock within this parish and across our diocese.  It is vital that we have the space and facilities needed to care for our growingCatholic population,” said Bishop Vann.

The growth of Catholicism in Orange County is reflected in the growth of St. Kilian parish.  Since the parish was founded in 1970 its membership has grown to more than 5,000 families.  In an effort to accommodate this growth a two phase master development plan was initiated in 2000 with the launch of a capital campaign to fund the projects.  Phase one of the plan included a new 23,600 sq. ft. Parish Center and Hall that was completed and blessed in 2009.  The second phase includes the new 17,342 sq. ft. Church.

The new parish Church will seat nearly 900 parishioners for Mass and cost $11 million to build.  The inspiring edifice makes dramatic use of natural, sustainable materials such as glass, stone and wood, all highlighted by a color palette of rich earth tones. The numerous windows suffuse the church with natural light, reminding the faithful that “Christ is the light that shines in the darkness.” (John 1:5)

The altar and many of the furnishings were created by Talleres de Arta Granda, a sacred art workshop founded by Fr. Felix Granda in 1891 in Madrid, Spain.  The altar’s design suggests elements of the Celtic cross and is made of two types of natural stone, representing Christ Jesus, the Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4).  Five crosses are etched into the mensa of the altar represent the five wounds of Christ.  A relic of St. Catherine Leaboure, the saint of the Miraculous Medal, and St. Pontial, a third century pope and martyr will be inserted into the alter during the dedication ceremony.

A 425 pound 9 ft. by 13 ft. mosaic portraying Christ crucified hangs above the altar.  This impressive installation was created by artist Mia Tavonatti and is made of thousands of pieces of hand-cut glass.  The artist was inspired to create this work by the face of Christ in Michelangelo’s Pieta.

“Our new church’s aesthetic beauty is arresting and conveys a deep sense of faith and solemnity.  This building will not only provide adequate space for our growing community but will inspire and nurture their faith in many ways,” said Rev. Bruce Patterson, Pastor of St. Kilian parish.

Development Timeline 

June 1970 – Rev. Michael H. Hughes comes to Mission Viejo to build St. Kilian Church.  Masses are held in schools while church is being built.

Oct. 1972 – Church is completed. The parish center is built soon after.  1981 – The Parish Hall is built.

1990 - Hughes retires; James Dunning becomes new pastor.

April 2000 – Capital Stewardship Campaign begins in preparation for construction of new church.

Nov. 2003 – Lower parking lot officially opens.  In order to expand an additional access road and parking had to be created.

June 2007 – Ceremonial ground breaking for Parish Center and Hall.

2009 – Blessing of new Parish Center and Hall.

March 2012 – Construction begins on new Church.