Magnolia Center in Riverside in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
St. Catherine’s Church
Photographed by Volt Craft, June 12, 2026
1. St. Catherine's Church Marker
Dedicated December 14.1957 by the most Reverend Charles Francis Buddy D.D., Bishop of San Diego.
Builders: The Reverend Daniel P. Bradley C.S.Sp., Pastor • The Reverend Paul A. O'donnell, C.S.Sp., Ass'T. • C.L. Monnot, Architect
Erected 1956.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is December 14, 1957.
Location. 33° 56.757′ N, 117° 23.777′ W. Marker is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. It is in Magnolia Center. It is at the intersection of Arlington Avenue and Brockton Avenue on Arlington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3680 Arlington Ave, Riverside CA 92506, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, in the Inland Empire, and in the Peninsular Ranges. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Chicago White Sox Redwood Tree (approx. ¼ mile away); Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree (approx. 0.3 miles away); The First Marsh Grapefruit Trees into California (approx. 0.3 miles away); Magnolia United Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); John Swanson Residence (approx. half a mile away); Verly Residence (approx. 0.8 miles away); Charles Montagu Dammers (approx. 1.1 miles away); Victoria Avenue Forever (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.
Also see . . . Parish Hisitory. Excerpt:
With the school and convent completed, Fr. Daniel P. Bradley, CS Sp, fifth pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria parish broke ground on April 22, 1956, for a new 'basilica-type' church. It cost $250,000 to complete the structure and, according to records, sat 1,000.(Submitted on June 12, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)
The new church was dedicated in 1957, with much fanfare and hoopla, despite the fact that the stained glass windows had not yet arrived and been installed. As a result, pigeons (some say, the Holy Spirit)were frequently present for the liturgies until the windows were put in place the following year. With the building program completed, Fr. Bradley, CS Sp, bid the parish goodbye and went on to his new assignment.Photographed by Volt Craft, June 12, 20262. St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, Riverside, CaliforniaThis plaque is on the outside edge of the left tower, at eye level.
In 1956, Notre Dame Preparatory School (for boys) opened. The following year the Holy Ghost fathers took over its administration and changed its name to Notre Dame High School. The school would later go co-ed after merging with St. Frances de Sales High School in 1972.
Fr. Kirby arrived in September 1958. Under his six-year term as pastor he oversaw the 'clean up' work left by Fr. Bradley. This included the installation of the windows in the church, landscaping of the church and parking lots. St. Catherine was now looking respectable.
Photographed by Volt Craft, June 12, 2026
3. front right of church
4. Ground Breaking
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 12, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
