About
Holy Spirit Church is a local landmark located in the center of Fremont. Originally named Holy Ghost Church, it has brought worshipers together for the Sacraments since 1886.
The cornerstone was laid on March 28, 1886 by Bishop Eugene O’Connell of Grass Valley, assisted by Fr. Montgomery and Fr. Governo. The cost of the building at that time was $12,000. Holy Ghost Church was dedicated on Sunday, October 17, 1886 by Vicar General Fr. John J. Prendergast.
Two homilies were preached… one in English by Fr. Prendergast and one in Portuguese by Fr. Governo. The City of Centerville, at the time, was primarily Portuguese, and the area consisted mostly of farms and orchards. Later, the church was renamed Holy Spirit Church and five surrounding districts were combined and named Fremont.
“When you walk through fire…” (Isaiah 43:2)
In 1919, the wooden church burnt to the ground, when a candle, that was left burning after a funeral, fell over. Over the next six years, parishioners donated money, hauled sand and gravel from the local quarries, and gave their labors to erect a new stucco church building. From an aerial view, the building was the shape of a cross.
Growing in the Spirit
As the population in Fremont grew, so did the needs of Holy Spirit Church. In 1965, a large extension (the North nave) was built that extended behind the altar area of the old church. The new sanctuary area, in the middle, was redesigned to serve the two naves. A new marble altar was donated and placed in the sanctuary between what is now commonly called the All Saints (old) side and the St. John (new) side of the Church. Within the walls, nearly 1,000 people can be seated.
Features of the Church
Mosaic Mural
Behind the Altar of Repose is a 15-foot wide mosaic mural of people young and old offering gifts to Christ. The mosaic was designed and installed by Isabel and Edith Piscek.
Pipe Organ
The pipe organ was rebuilt around 1960 by Schoenstein & Sons and uses 868 pipes and two manuals.
Historical Bell
Located in the South bell tower is a large bell forged in Portugal. It survived the 1919 fire and was reinstalled in the new church bell tower. Located in the North bell tower is a large speaker that tolls the Angelus and other electronic and taped music. The electronic bell system by the Schulmerish Carillon Company was installed in 1978.
Holy Spirit Prayer
Heavenly Father, you have gathered us together as the Body of Christ, to be Your visible light in our world.
Here we unite in worship, proclaim Your Word, celebrate the Eucharist, and are sent out to share Your love.
Lord, open our hearts, to be filled with the Holy Spirit and inspire us to go and make disciples. Make us a community united in faith, mission, and service.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, may Christ be present to us, as we make Christ present to the world.
Amen.
Our Team
Pastoral Council
Vinitha Sequiera
Indian Society
Catherine Weeks
Stephen Ministry
Chris Carvalho
Council Secretary
Cynthia Eugene
St. Vincent de Paul
Marie Herbert
CYO
Melissa Pastor
Filipino Society
Dan Custodio
Council Chairperson
Fr. Ken Sales
Pastor
Ex officio member
Eric Hom
Business Manager
Ex officio member
Holly Marsh
School Principal
Ex officio member
English 
Spanish