All About Us!
Queen of Peace was established on July 1, 1982 by Bishop Raymundo Joseph Peña in a leaky building on Festival Street, with Fr. Joe Hermoso being named as our first pastor. The very first Mass celebrated took place on July 31, 1982. Within a few years, dedicated parishioners helped acquire the land and build the parish hall, rectory, offices, and classrooms at our current site on Belvidere Street. The very first Mass was celebrated in the Parish Hall for Easter Vigil Mass, April 6, 1985. Construction was still occurring in other parts of the building, but far enough along to safely begin celebrating Mass. The community was incredibly proud when Queen of Peace won the Design Award from the American Institute of Architects in 1985 for the design of these facilities. The parish grew, and with the vision of Fr. Joe and the help from the fervent and faithful Ladies Guild, funds were raised to pay off the previous construction and looked forward to the future. With a few short years of intense dedication from the entire community, the main sanctuary was constructed and dedicated on November 5, 1994. Fr. Joe served for 13 years as pastor, and in honor of his love and dedication to the foundation of our parish, our parish hall and current Building A of classrooms is named after him today. We are grateful for Fr. Joe and the vision he had with the faithful parishioners in the laying of our foundation all those years ago.
Fr. Trini Fuentez was named our second pastor in 1995, where he served our community for over 18 years. During Fr. Trini's tenure as pastor, he helped the parish continue to grow in building but also in faith. He oversaw the construction of the atrium in front of the sanctuary, the second classroom building to facilitate the growing Religious Formation program, and the prayer grotto behind the church along Belvidere street. Fr. Trini was also instrumental in bringing ACTS to El Paso and our parish, and oversaw the continued growth of our Religious Formation program and ministries until November 2013, when he was named Rector of St. Patrick Cathedral.
Fr. Emanuel Alcazar was named our third pastor in November 2013, where he faithfully served our community for over 7 years. During Fr. Emanuel's time as pastor, he helped our parish grow in new spirituality, help us to learn to live for the other person more passionately, and to find new ways to show Christ's love to others. He also empowered many people to assist and serve in ministries that had not previously before. He is also credited for helping to significantly reduce the debt on the new classroom building. He served our community until July 2021 when he was named Pastor of La Purisima Parish/Soccoro Mission.
Our current pastor, Fr. Allan Alaka was named our fourth pastor in July 2021. During his time to this day, we have been grateful for the spirituality of Fr. Allan, and how he is showing God's love and mercy to each person he encounters. His desire is that the community knows everyone has a spiritual home at Queen of Peace. He, with faithful volunteers once again, some even who helped begin the parish back in 1982, are in process of updating and continuing to modernize our beautiful facilities and grounds for the next generations of Queen of Peace parishioners to be able to enjoy, as well as striving to help all realize their gifts of time, talent, and treasure to bring forth the Kingdom of God in our special area of the world. If you have yet to visit us or have not stopped by in a while, please come and visit, we would love to have you here with us!
Our current pastor, Fr. Allan Alaka was named our fourth pastor in July 2021. During his time to this day, we have been grateful for the spirituality of Fr. Allan, and how he is showing God's love and mercy to each person he encounters. His desire is that the community knows everyone has a spiritual home at Queen of Peace. He, with faithful volunteers once again, some even who helped begin the parish back in 1982, are in process of updating and continuing to modernize our beautiful facilities and grounds for the next generations of Queen of Peace parishioners to be able to enjoy, as well as striving to help all realize their gifts of time, talent, and treasure to bring forth the Kingdom of God in our special area of the world. If you have yet to visit us or have not stopped by in a while, please come and visit, we would love to have you here with us!