We are Oceanside’s first and only catholic school.
we celebrate this with you.
History
Oceanside pier circa 1888!
1927
St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Parish is established in Oceanside, California. St. Mary, Star of the Sea has served Oceanside’s Catholic community for well over a century. The parish’s origins go back to a small wooden chapel built near downtown in 1893 (or 1896 in some accounts) which was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and locally known as the little “capillita.”
The congregation grew, and the Spanish / Mission-Renaissance architecture church you see today was designed by Los Angeles architect Emmet G. Martin and constructed in 1927 to replace that original wooden chapel. The 1927 building is the parish’s signature landmark at 609 Pier View Way. The architecture (bell tower, dome, arched entry, decorative plasterwork) reflects early 20th-century California revival styles.
St. Mary, Star of the Sea has long been part of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego and has expanded its ministries in multiple languages of worship offerings as Oceanside’s population changed through the 20th and 21st centuries. The continuous faith in the parish has been ongoing for over 120 years.
Education became an important parish ministry mid-century: St. Mary, Star of the Sea School (preschool through 8th grade) was established in 1951 and continues to operate steps from the beach, carrying forward the parish’s mission of faith-rooted education.
Today the church building remains a downtown Oceanside landmark (frequently photographed and written about by local historians and bloggers). The original wooden chapel has been preserved/relocated in town and the parish continues regular Masses, sacramental ministries, and community programs. Learn more about the church history.
1951
As Oceanside grew, so did the parish which meant more families, more children, and a need for a school.
The school itself was established in the post-World War II era, formally opening its doors in 1951. From the beginning St. Mary, Star of the Sea School set out to combine strong academics with the faith formation and community values of the Roman Catholic tradition. This is a mission the school still names as its core focus: Faith, Excellence, and Service.
Through the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st, St. Mary’s evolved to meet changing needs: expanding preschool and elementary programs, preserving traditions like parish feast days and sacramental preparation, and adding extracurriculars and academic programs that prepare students for middle school and beyond. The school has remained relatively small in enrollment compared with public alternatives, which parents and alumni often cite as contributing to its close-knit, family atmosphere.
Today St. Mary’s sits a few blocks from the Pacific, a neighborhood institution that balances respect for its past with attention to modern educational standards. It continues to serve Oceanside families through classroom instruction, parish events, community service projects, and partnerships within the Diocese carrying forward a local tradition that began with one little chapel more than a century ago.
2025
The Future of St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic School: 2025 and Beyond
As St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic School steps into its next era, we do so with gratitude for our past and a renewed commitment to serving Oceanside’s growing community. The year 2025 marks a remarkable moment in our shared story: 75 years of Catholic education on our campus and 100 years of the parish church that has faithfully anchored generations of families. These milestones are more than anniversaries, they are springboards into a vibrant, ambitious future.
Over the past few years, Oceanside has experienced a surge of growth, energy, and development, and St. Mary’s is moving confidently with it. With increasing enrollment and a rising demand for a faith-centered, academically rigorous environment, we are expanding our capacity with thoughtful, student-centered upgrades. These include new safety installations, updated fencing, improved flooring, and ongoing enhancements that ensure our campus remains secure, polished, and welcoming.
At the heart of our future vision is academic innovation combined with tenets of Classical Catholic Education. St. Mary’s is advancing its commitment to STEM education, broadening opportunities for hands-on learning, critical thinking, digital literacy, and real-world problem-solving. As technology and science continue to shape our world, we are preparing our students not only to adapt, but to lead with purpose and creativity.
Through every change, St. Mary’s remains exactly what it has always been: a safe, close-knit, and deeply Catholic school, rooted in tradition yet responsive to the needs of today’s families. Like the waves that have shaped our coastal home, we embrace the ebbs and flows of each new season with strength, resilience, and grace.
Guided by our patroness, St. Mary, Star of the Sea, we look to the future with optimism, courage, and total faith. Our mission endures: to form students in character, intellect, and spirit, and to shine Christ’s light throughout our parish, our city, and our world. The next chapter for St. Mary’s is already unfolding, and it promises to be brighter than ever.
a future of faith with Oceanside
Are you interested in history? Do you love Oceanside? Would you like to become a sponsor to restore historic pieces?
Please reach out to us!
