Infant Jesus Church, Sacramento, CA

Address: 6200 McMahon Drive, Sacramento, CA 95824

Website: https://infantjesussacramento.org/

Overview
The peaceful, focused interior of Infant Jesus Church in the Fruitridge Manor neighborhood of South Sacramento belies its nondescript exterior. Inside the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church (SMC), one will find a lovely sanctuary and main altar surrounded by many traditional images from both the SMC tradition, as well as the Roman (Latin) Catholic tradition. A beautifully ornamented Infant Jesus Shrine is prominent inside the worship space. The church is the home to a dedicated community of believers who fill the church each Sunday for Holy Qurbana, as well as catechism sessions for the children. The church is open for services on Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and weekdays at 6:30 p.m.

Special things to see in the Church
> The sanctuary on the south end of the church is full of lovely sacred images and symbolism, and is precious to experience when the red chancel veil is open
> The holy Infant Jesus Shrine is a particular centerpiece of the parish and the church building
> There are statues and images of both the Syro-Malabar and Roman (Latin) Catholic Churches present in the building as the churches are in full communion
>>> Images of St. Thomas “The Apostle of India”
>>> Statue of St. Alphonsa, one of the first Saints of the Syro-Malabar Church
>>> Statue of St. Sebastian, widely venerated in India

Interesting Fact(s) About the Church
The history of the church started as Saint Peter’s Church and Parish of the Roman (Latin) Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. The church building originally housed the church of the All Hallow’s Parish, a few miles north of the existing site at 14th Avenue and 55th Street. When All Hallow’s built a new church in 1960, the old church and auditorium were moved to the current location of Infant Jesus Church on McMahon Avenue and Saint Peter’s Parish was created. Saint Peter’s Parish included an elementary school staffed by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who left the school in 1970, and the school was eventually closed.

In 2009, Infant Jesus Mission was formed via efforts led by Rev. Fr. Kurian Naduvelichalungal from the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Parish in Milpitas, the Bishops of the Diocese of Sacramento and Chicago, along with the local community members. The Mission held worship activities in St. Peter’s Church owned by the Diocese of Sacramento. As the community continued to grow, they saw the need for their own church and raised the necessary funds for the purchase of St. Peter’s Church, all buildings and 5.1 acres of land in June 2017. On December 2, 2017, the St. Peter’s Church was officially rededicated as Infant Jesus Church.