History of our Parish

By the 1920s Palm Springs was growing and attracting visitors who came to relax and to enjoy the dry desert climate and sunshine. In 1926 a number of Catholics formed a small community and wished to have their own parish. The church was built in the Mission Revival Style and was dedicated in February, 1930.

The parish continued to grow along with the number of Catholic residents and visitors. Many of the Catholic movie stars and entertainers worshiped in the little church in downtown Palm Springs. Our Lady of Solitude remains the center of spiritual support for many living here and those coming just to spend some time in the desert.

The community was growing and this included many Hispanic Catholics. During the 1970s the parish reached out to them with the celebration of Mass in Spanish. The Mexican community was joined by people coming from the Philippines, Central America, Vietnam, Peru, Iraq, and several other countries and cultures. The largest presence is the Hispanics, as seen in the annual Mass count, which shows a little more than half of the Catholics here attend the Masses in Spanish.

Our Lady of Solitude offers a well-recognized program of religious formation for our children and teens. Each year many adults complete their sacramental formation as well. We assist the poor and homeless through the food pantry and by hosting Well in the Desert once a week. Our ministries reach out to the sick, the bereaved, and immigrants.

Most of our parishioners are here year around and live and work here. But we also continue the tradition of hospitality to the “Snowbirds,” many of whom return every winter and consider Our Lady of Solitude as their parish away from home.

Since 2005 Our Lady of Solitude has been served by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC). “May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere.”