Our History

St. Peter Claver Parish was established in 1972, covering the southeastern corner of Ventura County and Santa Susana. Father James McKeon served as pastor for 19 years. In the early days of the parish, Mass was held in Fr. Jim's living room in the priest's residence on Pittman Street before moving to our current parish center. In 1996, shortly before Fr. Jim’s passing in 1999, Fr. Dennis Mongrain blessed the ground for a new church. By 1998, after more than 23 years of Masses, sacraments and celebrations in our parish center, our permanent church was dedicated.

In 2007-2008 Monsignor Gary Bauler led the way in the construction of our Preschool, Kindergarten, and Youth Center to meet the growing demand for Catholic schooling in the area. The Preschool and Kindergarten opened its doors on June 16th, 2008 with 15 students enrolled for an eight-week summer school session. In 2012, Father Riz Carranza became pastor upon Monsignor Bauler's retirement. 

Mission

St. Peter Claver Preschool and Kindergarten provides a developmentally appropriate curriculum centered in faith and the teachings of the Catholic Church. We endeavor to deepen a child's awareness and love of God and to nurture their natural love of learning. 

Philosophy

We, the members of St. Peter Claver Catholic Community, acknowledge and respect the uniqueness of each child. In partnership with parents, we provide developmentally appropriate Catholic instruction in an environment which supports each child's sense of self and nurtures a love of learning. Our curriculum incorporates a variety of learning activities designed to enhance a child's love of God, and promotes problem solving, creativity, self-expression, and social skills. We seek to stimulate children's learning in all developmental areas while allowing for individual differences in learning styles. We affirm the worth and dignity of each child and foster an understanding of and sensitivity to all people by encouraging reverence and respect for each person. 

Purpose & Goals

  • Increase a child's sense of security and self-esteem

  • Promote the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, intellectual, linguistic, and artistic development of the young child through age appropriate developmental experiences and play activities

  • Provide an enriching environment allowing each child to develop a sense of wonder and curiosity

  • Develop a child's awareness of God in their lives and promote devotion to the faith

Our Pastor

Fr. Pablo Garcia, has served as Pastor of St. Peter Claver Parish since 2025. Born and raised in Long Beach, Fr. Paolo Garcia attended St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo and was ordained to the priesthood in 2016. He attended UC Berkeley and earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 2006. He received his master’s degree in secondary education from Loyola Marymount University in 2009. Fr. Paolo served his first assignment as associate pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Rowland Heights. For the past six years, he served as Director of Queen of Angels Center for Priestly Formation in Torrance, as a formator for college seminarians. He is currently a student in the Doctor of Ministry program, studying homiletics, at Aquinas Institute of Theology. Fr. Paolo is also an avid fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dodgers. He is looking forward to serving the community of St. Peter Claver.