St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church was established in 2008 by then-Bishop, John T. Steinbock, as the ninth Catholic Church in the City of Bakersfield. The 24-acre site at Reina and Allen Roads was acquired a few years earlier. Eighteen acres were committed to the development of a new parish—the first Catholic parish established in Kern County since 1968!

Msgr. Perry Kavookjian was appointed first pastor of the parish that same year and, after relocating to Bakersfield from Fresno, began meeting with people living in Northwest Bakersfield to establish the parish. At one of several informational meetings, those present voted on naming the new parish after St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Two hundred families began attending Masses at Frontier High School, which rented out its Performing Arts Center to the parish for three Sunday Masses. The parish also rented a small storefront on Allen Road which served as a meeting place for various ministries. At the same time, a capital campaign was started in order to raise nearly $6.5 million for the construction of our first building.

By 2014, enough funds were raised and construction of the current building began. This building includes a worship space that seats 750 people; classrooms and administrative offices. Our first Mass was held in April 2015. By that time, the parish had grown to nearly 750 families. Since 2015, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish has grown to nearly 2,000 registered families.

In 2019, another capital campaign was undertaken to raise funds to build a formal church. This church will seat over 1,500 people—making it the largest Catholic Church in Kern County.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish is now home to nearly 30 ministries and organizations that seek to serve the spiritual needs of Northwest Bakersfield. We joyfully welcome all people who seek to find a spiritual home here!

If you have any questions, please contact Msgr. Perry Kavookjian at padre@setoncatholicchurch.org

Our Parish History