Christ Child is located in the Diocese of Monterey, CA. It is the northernmost church in the Diocese and sits on the border of Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties in the Santa Cruz mountains.
The history of the church includes the Mission Period, the Formation Period, and the On-Going Period.
1966 - Christ Child Community was formed as a mission of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Capitola. Father Markey worked with the people in the community to choose land on which the church is located. He led the community in building a "bare bones" wood frame structure to house the community during religious services. Sacramental celebrations took place on Saturdays and Sundays. This same wood frame building became the basis of the current church. The Mission served a roughly 60 square mile area in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
1969 - The Mission was transferred to the jurisdiction of the parish of Saint Michael in Boulder Creek, and then to the parish of San Agustin in Scott's Valley. Christ Child Mission remained a part of San Agustin up to the period when churchhood was actively sought. Father Leonard was Pastor of both San Agustin Church and the Christ Child Mission.
1980 - Father Cicinato was assigned to San Agustin with the responsibility of working solely with Christ Child Mission. His focus was investigating the viability of and working toward the eventual parish status for the Mission. Work was begun on the design and construction of the rectory and community center.
1982 - The combination rectory/community center and center/office building was built. It wa dedicated on July 11, 1982.
1983 - On May 1, 1983 a Decree of Establishment was issued by the Diocese of Monterey by decree of Bishop Shubsda, making Christ Child Mission officially a Church.
1983 - Father Leonard was appointed Pastor of Christ Child Church. Many features of the Church were added at this time. The Grotto for the Blessed Mother was built at the request of Father Leonard; most of the stones were brought to Mass as "gifts" from parishioners. Statues of the Holy Family were contributed and installed. Beautiful decorative pieces were added to the interior of the church, many of which were carved out of local redwood by parishioners, including; the redwood altar table and the wooden tabernacle.
1989-1990 - The foyer was completed on the front of the church. A Celtic cross was added and also stained glass in rear foyer. New pews and crucifix were obtained from Saint Joseph's Cathedral.
1990-1991 - Father Murphy became Pastor. A redwood podium and matching baptismal stand were added to the altar area.
1993 - The parish church was remodeled and stained glass was installed.
1994 - Church renovated to open front of altar, providing a view to the Santa Cruz Mountains and improved natural lighting.
1995 - Father Steffes became the new Pastor of Christ Child Church.
2003 - Father Valdez became the new Pastor of Christ Child Church.
2004 - Father Eugenio Aramburo became the new Pastor. His focus has been to build strong ties and celebrations across the mountain area churches with such events as: Christmas Cantata, Easter Sunrise Services, Overseas Troop Care Packages, and the Summit Road area Cleanup. He came from Greenfield Parish in Salinas Valley and has maintained ties there with our annual Coat Drive and Adopt-a-Family Gift Giving each Christmas.
2021 - Father Efrain Medina became our new pastor. He was born in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Fr Efrain is the third of eight children, four sisters and three brothers. He studied theological studies at the Seminary Diocesano in the city of Tijuana, Mexico and at the Saint Patrick Seminary in the city of Menlo Park, CA. He was ordained to the priesthood on November 3, 2001. His first assignment was at St. Rose of Lima Church in city of Paso Robles. CA. Next he was assigned to Carmel Mission Basilica in the city of Carmel, CA. He served as Pastor of St. Theodore's Church in the city of Gonzales, CA from 2007-2014. Next, he was Pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea in the city of Santa Cruz, CA from 2014-2018. He was then assigned as Associate Pastor of San Carlos Cathedral in the city of Monterey. CA. On February 1, 2021 Bishop Daniel E. Garcia appointed Fr Efrain as Pastor of Christ Child Church in Los Gatos, CA. In the words of Fr Efrain, "One of my goals that I want to focus on for this beautiful parish of Christ Child Church, is to grow the community and invite more people to be part of our Catholic Church though the sacraments, especially young families, who want them to share our faith and commit themselves to grow together in faith, hope and love. This life we are going through, this health problem that has affected so many of our families economically, emotionally, and spiritually, only in God can we find the peace, the health, and the hope that we so much wish to obtain."