In early 1955, Bishop Charles Buddy commissioned Father James A. McGinley to Fr. James A. McGinleyform a new Parish. A Church and Rectory were to be built in the Bella Vista/Country Club District of Chula Vista, a burgeoning area in San Diego County’s Southbay. The first Mass was celebrated on Ash Wednesday, February 23, 1955, inside a nearby rented home and temporary Rectory. Six people attended. The next weekend, fifty people attended. The little congregation began to grow and gather in the Rectory's garage for Mass. An Altar was built in the garage. Two kneelers were used for a Communion rail, the cement floor was covered with used rugs, and folding chairs substituted for pews---a very humble beginning of a Church dedicated to give honor and glory to God!  Fr. McGinley chose the name, St. Pius X, for this new Parish. He dedicated it to newly-canonized, Pope Pius X. The Holy Pope's Coat-of-Arms was also chosen as the motto for the Parish: "Restaurare omnia in Christum" (Restore all things in Christ).

With the help of the Holy Name Sisters (nuns from Fr. McGinley's former pastorate in Initial Communion Class, June 19, 1955San Ysidro) and several ladies of the Parish, Fr. McGinley immediately organized Catechism classes for the schoolchildren. Training for altar boys to serve at Mass also began.  Two Sunday Masses, a Daily morning Mass, and an evening Rosary continued to be celebrated in the Garage.  Within a few months, an additional Sunday Mass was added to the schedule.

On Monday, May 9, 1955, in the presence of Fr. McGinley and three Construction Crew officials, ground was broken.  Construction began on what was to become a beautiful Spanish Renaissance Church overlooking the vast blue Pacific and the rolling green beauty of the Country Club Golf Course.  The new Church was to accommodate 530 people.  Its main altar of Marble, its statues of the Sacred Heart, Blessed Mother and Infant of Prague, its pews of Texan Oak and its three Confessionals would lend chaste elegance to the Church’s interior.  Other features would include a Mothers’ Chapel with accommodation for 50, Sacristies, a radiant heating system installed in the floor, and a movable Baptismal Font of stainless steel located in the Chapel.  All of these, as well as a Rectory, were completed in eight months!  Church construction was completed in time for the first Mass celebrated on Thanksgiving Day. November 24, 1955.  Also part of the early construction was a Hall/Auditorium, a separate structure completed in 1957. 

Bishop Buddy was welcomed to the new Church building for the Dedication Mass Ceremony on February 26, 1956—a little over a year after the first Mass was celebrated in the temporary Rectory garage!

On March 27, 1960, Bishop Buddy was welcomed back toofficiate at the Ground-Breaking Ceremony for a new School and Convent.  Fr. McGinley traveled to Ireland to secure nuns of the order of Poor Clares to staff the School. When the Poor Clares arrived, the facility was not yet complete due to strikes in the construction industry.  For a short time, classes were held in any feasible area found on the premises. The School opened on September 12, 1960. The Sister of St. Clare moved into the Convent on October 4, 1960, the Feast of St. Francis.  

Construction and improvements continued on Parish grounds.  A “Scout Hut” was built by Parish volunteers.  Originally, the Church windows were of frosted glass.  Stained-glass windows made in Italy were later installed and paid for by Parishioner donations. These beautiful stained-glass windows represent the fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary and the Seven Sacraments of the Church. 

From the earliest days of this Church, St. Pius X parishioners have been dedicated and enthusias­tic worker/volunteers. An Altar and Rosary Society and Knights of Columbus Council (originally, Assumption Council, but later James A. McGinley Council) were formed immediately. Other organizations that came into existence included the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts, the Friendship Club, Prayer and Renew Groups, Shepherds, Cursillo, Marriage Encounter and the Catechetical Program. The first Bazaar Committee was formed to generate income for parish needs, and Bingo was later introduced.  Ministries which came into being as a result of Vatican II grew and flourished at St. Pius X Parish. 

In 1973, Father McGinley was elevated to Monsignor.  In 1975, he retired and, St Pius X welcomed a new pastor, Father Donald R. Kulleck.   Msgr. McGinley remained in residence at St Pius X.  However, his health failed, and he died peacefully in 1985.  His funeral Mass was held on March 28 in the very Church building he oversaw constructed from the ground up.  

Father Donald Kulleck succeeded Monsignor McGinley in 1975.  He led the parish through the transition years of Vatican II, effecting many changes mandated by that Body of the Church. Even before Father Kulleck's arrival, a vigorous Parish Council had been formed. Fr. Kulleck became a well-regarded member of the Christian community, active in ecumenical affairs. Of special concern to him were the needs of the Hispanic community. He provided a Spanish-language Mass on Sunday afternoons which continues to fill the Church today. Celebrations for the feast of La Virgen de Guadalupe and cultural events such as Las Posadas are also part of his contribution to parish life.

Fr Kulleck not only inherited a growing congregation, but an aging Church structure and other buildings as well.  Many repairs and additions were made under Fr. Kulleck’s administration.  Additions to the Church building included new restrooms, a Liturgy Room, a new Sacristy, a Nursery, extending the Mother’s Chapel (aka Cry Chapel) and installing a new Organ and pipes.  The repairs included roof leaks and subsequent plumbing issues in the new restrooms. Probably the most notable and most unusual repair was removing and replacing the termite-riddled Dome of the Church’s Bell Tower in 1976.

In 1985, Fr. Kulleck was also elevated to Monsignor.  Health problems made it advisable for the “2nd pastor” to seek retirement in 1998. To date, with 22 years and 9 months, Msgr. Donald Kulleck remains as the longest-serving Pastor of St. Pius X Church.  He remained in residence at St. Pius X as "Pastor Emeritus" after his retirement.  He continued to assist when able, presiding at Daily and Sunday Mass. The Parish fondly regarded him as the “#1 Padres Fan."  In 2002 on his 50th Ordination Anniversary, Parishioners presented Msgr. Kulleck with a new silver (gold not being avail­able) Volkswagon "Bug.”   His familiar and ancient "Blue Beetle" was retired.  On February 5, 2012, the Parish honored Msgr. Kulleck on his 60^th Ordination Annivesary with a reception in the new Parish Hall.  Then, on, November 15, 2015, Msgr. Kulleck concelebrated Mass for St Pius X Church 60^th Anniversary.  On January 1, 2018, Msgr. Donald R Kulleck died due to failing health.  His Funeral Mass was celebrated at St Pius X Church on January 22, 2018.

St Pius X’s 3rd Pastor, Fr. Joseph G. Masar, grew up in this Parish and is a product of St. Pius X School. Fr. Joe moved the Offices from the Rectory to the old Convent building.    The new Office Building was modernized to provide meeting and conference rooms. The Rectory was transformed to a real home for our Priests. Fr. Joe expanded the Music Ministry and formed a Brass Choir group for Church music.  He introduced carnival rides to the Annual Bazaar as well as a live auction, a silent auction, estate sales, and other popular attractions. Fr. Joe's enthusiasm for the Holidays was responsible for the annual Christmas Home Tour conducted by the Youth Group, the New York Holiday Trip, and the Angel Tree. He organized a Parish Supper Club for small group dinner parties.  Fr,  Joe also introduced plans to "Build a New Parish Hall and Enlarge the Church."  On October 2002 the "To Restore All Things In Christ" Capital Campaign bogan.

On July 2008, Fr. Luke Jauregui was appointed as the 5^th Pastor of St Pius X Church. Fr. Luke oversaw the destruction of the old McGinley Hall and Scout Hut. Moreover, Fr. Luke’s administration began construction on a New Parish Hall. In the presence of Bishop Robert H. Brom, ground was broken for the New Parish Hall on June 26, 2010.  A little over a year later, on October 24. 2011, the newly completed Parish Hall was dedicated.

On July 2014, Fr. Chris L. Kintanar was appointed as the 6^th Pastor of St. Pius X Church.   Fr. Kintanar saw the completion of the St Jude Adoration Chapel.
 
 

Fr. Jay Bananal was appointed 7^th Pastor of St. Pius X Church on July 2016.  Fr. Jay was responsible for maneuvering the Parish through the Covid Pandemic.   Fr. Bananal’s Administration also ushered the Parish into the Technology Age.  The Facebook Page was updated.  The Parish Instagram, Parish YouTube Channel, and  the "live-streaming." of Masses were all introduced.

On July 2023, St Pius X welcomed their 8^th Pastor, Fr. Michael O’Connor.  

St Pius X Church has also been home to many Associates throughout the years who are remembered and loved.  Many have moved on to become Pastors of their own Parishes.  These include Msgr. Jeremiah “Jerry” O’Sullivan+ (Sacred Heart Church), Fr. Ben Davison (St. Kieran Church), Fr. Duncan “Rusty” Monohan+ (St. Thomas Indian Mission), Fr. Edwin Tutor (Ascension Catholic Church), and Fr. Corey Tufford (Santa Sophia Catholic Church).  Another St Pius X Associate, Msgr. Joseph Carroll+, went on to become one of the most recognizable of San Diego Catholics and the “Fr Joe” of Father Joe’s Village, an organization advocating for the Homeless.

Restaurare omnia in Christum - Restore all things in Christ

Resources: “Souvenir Brochure of the Dedication of St Pius X Church, 2/26/1956", "St Pius X Church Parish Pictorial Directory - Millennium Jubilee Edition 2000", "Saint Pius X Church, Celebrating 50 Years 1955-2005"

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