July 1, 1941: Bishop John Mitty of San Francisco established
a new parish dedicated to St. Basil the Great. The First
Pastor was Father Thomas Byrne.
August 3, 1941: First Mass held at the Portuguese Hall.
December 25, 1942: The day of the first Mass in the new church.
1949: St. Basil's School opened and was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
1950: Father Byrne purchased a chalice with funds given by parish children and had it engraved to read, "From the children of St.
Basil's."
1952: The Sisters, who had been living in a temporary convent, moved to their new convent at its present location.
1956: Father Byrne resigned because of poor health. Father Thomas Garrigan was appointed the second pastor of St. Basil.
Father Garrigan enlarged the church due to the increasing population of Vallejo.
August 23, 1959: Bishop Scanlan dedicated the new marble alter and the enlarged the church.
1963: Father Garrigan died while visiting his family in Ireland. Monsignor Thomas Kirby was appointed the third pastor of St. Basil.
During Monsignor Kirby's years, the Mass was changed to be said in English.
1968: A new library and classrooms were added to the school.
The music at Mass changed to reflect the music of the times.
1971: Monsignor Kirby retired and Monsignor John Terwilliger was appointed as the fourth pastor of our parish.
Mid 70's: The first lay director of CCD was hired. A combination youth group and youth choir was formed in the parish.
1979: The first group of Eucharistic ministers were trained to help distribute communion at all masses and in the homes of the sick.
The rose garden was planted in the patio and the choir was moved to the front alter.
1982: Father Anthony Maio became the fifth pastor of St. Basil Parish.
June 12, 1983: Ordination of Michael Carlomagno.
The first permanentDeacon for St. Basil Parish.
1986: Father William Storan was appointed pastor. The RCIA program was started.
January 1987: Fr. Storan started the Parish Spiritual Renewal. During 16 weekends over the next 13 years, 600 parishioners came
together to learn, share, pray, and renew their faith.
1991: St. Basil Parish celebrated the fiftieth anniversary. During the first 50 years, our parish celebrated 8,000 baptisms, 1,900
marriages, 6,600 first communions, 4,500 confirmations, and had 2,300 funerals.
May 1992: The parish began a major capital fund drive - "Rebuilding Our Faith Legacy...Together." The purpose
was to raise funds to renovate the convent building into a Parish Center. With the help of many volunteers, and the generosity of
all our parishioners, over $1,000,000 dollars was raised.
October 27, 1996: The Parish Center was officially opened, and dedicated by Bishop William Wiegand.
September 18, 1999: The Parish celebrated the 50th
Anniversary of St. Basil's School. The year of celebration
began with a special liturgy and reception in the school
gym. Bishop
Richard Garcia joined the congregation as presider of
this liturgy.
January 2001: The parish began a capital campaign "Preserving
our Past...Building our Future" to raise funds to
renovate parish buildings. Over $800,000 was pledged by our
parishioners.
June 10, 2000: Ordination of Deacon Michael Urick.
May 19, 2001: Father William Storan retired after 15 years as
Pastor. He was named Pastor Emeritus of St. Basil Parish.
May 19, 2001: Father Leon Juchniewicz is appointed the seventh Pastor of St. Basil Parish.
August 3, 2001: Fr. Leon Juchniewicz presided at Mass in commemoration of the First Mass held on August 3, 1941 at the Portuguese
Hall, The Portuguese Society graciously hosted a reception in the hall following the Mass.
November 4, 2001: Parishioners gathered for a special liturgy to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of St. Basil Parish. Bishop
Weigand was the celebrant. Mrs. Rita Struble, a parishioner for many years, was awarded a Papal Honor, the Benemerenti Medal by Bishop
Weigand. Anew parish garden was dedicated in honor of Fr. Willie Storan. Parishioners and guests enjoyed a reception in the school
gym with displays of historical information and pictures.
2003: The parish rectory was completely renovated.
The rectory is now being used not only as a home for
our priests, but as a gathering place for parish ministries
for special social occasions.
June 5, 2004: Ordination of Deacon Errol Kissinger.
