In the early 1900s Del Mar was gradually adding buildings to meet the growing needs, including spiritual, of its residents. The Catholics who lived in the area did not have a church building. An itinerant priest, Father Guadalupe, came to Del Mar on horseback periodically from the mission in Oceanside to conduct services. Otherwise, parishioners had to travel to La Jolla or Oceanside.
Adeline and Henry Keller opened their home, the Rock House, to hold a mass in June. Worshipers overflowed the house onto the front yard foretelling of the need for a Catholic church in Del Mar. The Kellers purchased the land, donated brick from their brick foundry in Los Angeles, and hired architect John Austin to design a California Craftsman-style building similar in style to the Greene brothers of Pasadena.
The first service at the new St. James Parish was held in 1914. In the 1930s and ’40s, parishioners included Bing Crosby, Pat O’Brien, and Lucy and Desi Arnaz. In 1972 the parish moved to Solana Beach, and the building became a restaurant, later an office building, and is now the Del Mar Library…