St. Jerome Catholic Church, El Cerrito, CA

Address: 308 Carmel Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530

Overview
The large, well-maintained church on “The Little Hill” (“El Cerrito” in Spanish) has overlooked the San Francisco Bay since it’s dedication in 1942. The Spanish Colonial Revival Style church contains many unique features and artifacts, including lovely stained glass windows. It is one of not many churches with the great Doctor of the Church, St. Jerome, as a patron; and it appears that his adoption as patron may be linked to founding parishioners who had an association with St. Ambrose Parish in Berkeley (who is also a Doctor of the Western Church). The church is home to a vibrant parish supporting many social causes including the St. Vincent de Paul Society which distributes food weekly to those in need.

Special things to see in the Church
• The beautiful stained glass windows designed by three different artists in different periods are highlighted by the six stained glass windows in the nave designed by a noted Bay Area stained glass maker. Depicted are three Doctors of the Church, as well as St. Joseph, The Blessed Virgin and Jesus’ Sacred Heart.

• The architecture of the church in Spanish Colonial Revival Style is an excellent example of this eclectic style which is defined by a feeling of colonial New Spain rather than by specific rules.

• The three sacred images in the vestibule (Infant Jesus of Prague, Mother of Perpetual Help and Jesus’ Sacred Heart) capture the traditional spirit of the community and provide inspiration to those entering and exiting the church.

• Deeply colored Stations of the Cross with gilded frames over a gold-leaf background provide an excellent resource for contemplation of Jesus’ horrific journey to His death on Golgotha.

• The beautiful stained glass windows designed by three different artists in different periods are highlighted by the six stained glass windows in the nave designed by a noted artist Bay Area stained glass maker. Depicted are three Doctors of the Church, as well as St. Joseph, Mary and Jesus’ Sacred Heart.

• The architecture of the church in Spanish Colonial Revival Style is an excellent example of this eclectic style which is defined by a feeling of colonial New Spain rather than by specific rules.

• The three sacred images in the vestibule (Infant Jesus of Prague, Mother of Perpetual Help and Jesus’ Sacred Heart) capture the traditional spirit of the community and provide inspiration to those entering and exiting the church

• Deeply colored Stations of the Cross with gilded frames over a gold-leaf background provide a excellent resource for contemplation of Jesus’ horrific journey to His death on Golgotha.

Interesting Facts About the Church
The stained glass windows in the nave depict three Doctors of the Church: the Parish Patron St. Jerome (340 – 420) is one of the four Doctors of the Western Church who is most known for translating the Bible from Greek into Latin (known as “the Vulgate” version). Another Doctor of the Western Church pictured is St. Augustine of Hippo (345 – 430) who is considered one of the brightest thinkers of the Church connecting Greek philosophy with Christian ideas. The third Doctor shown is St. Theresa of Lisieux (1873 – 1897) who was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by St. Pope John Paul II for her holiness and influence on the spirituality of the Church.