Very nice mass and choir. Super friendly church members and priests. Love doing simbang gabi masses

My mom birthday today thank you for the blessings and healing from the Covid-19's from all over the world.my mom turn 65years old today we're heading to St leanders church to pray for and ask for forgiveness.thank you to our troops serving across country god blessed .thank you for opening in this desperate day's . read more

We have been members of the parish for 2 years now. It's a Beautiful church. They offer mass in English and in Spanish. Our princess was baptized here and it was a beautiful mass. The Father was great! read more

St Leander's Church - Princess's Baptism - Churches Near Me - San Leandro, California

See all

Rude office staff member. How dare you. My sister requested to schedule a baptism for her daughter, they've asked her for proof confirmation of the sponsor which we did not have in file anymore after moving 4 different times. I had my son baptism here just a year ago and had the same question but I had said THEY should also have that on file since my sister and I were both confirmed at St. Leander's. We've been going to this church for more than 20 years and the lady who helped my sister had the audacity to say that my son quote on quote "SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED HERE!" for the lack of 1 paperwork that they should also have on their record. For you to speak about my child in that matter is appalling and disrespectful. How can you serve under the church of God with that type of attitude. read more

i don't know about you guys, but church is a place for be selfless and be in one with God. I've been going here since I was ten and I far beyond that age now. The church has a wonderful energy and friendly church goers. Either you haven't been there for awhile just like me when I was MIA for a bit they still welcomed me back as if I wasn't gone at all. Maybe its just be because I've been part of this parish for years, but I have not experience a whole lot of dirty looks. And if I did, well its their fault for providing that kind of feedback especially under the roof of Jesus And God's house. I am sorry, but don't be turned off by the negativity, but look at the positives. The church and people are beautiful and full of life and energy. There is the area in the back where most parents end up taking their younger ones for less attention. So please re-consider coming back because there are more good reasons to why you should. As for the layout of the interior of the church, I solely believe and respect its format. We all get to see the altar and the priest speak with his sermons equally. read more

I've only been here once for a very dear releatives funeral. I was so impressed by the beauty of this church. It's layout is different from what I've normally seen but I loved it. I felt like everyone who was here was able to see and hear the preist as he spoke and that we were all just "together," if that makes any sense. I would love to check it out for a regular mass on a Sunday. read more

I was a regular parishioner of St. Leander until I decided to frequent Assumption Church more. Then just these December, I was trying to figure out where to go for my "Simbang Gabi" or Dawn mass(a big filipino tradition of 9 days of early morning novena). St. Patrick in SF will be a good idea but will not be able to complete the 9 days since Bart don't run early on weekends. When I found out that St. Leander will be offering it, I gave it a try. Wow, I was so impressed with Fr. Dante! He has a great sense of humor. He gives very good, short and sensible homily. I do like Fr. Paul too but Fr. Dante's charisma made me decide to go back to St. Leander. God bless. read more

I would NEVER give a church less than 5-stars, that's like slapping God in the face and saying, "You suck." Cause I don't want to go to hell, 5 stars. However, I do love this church for its unique interior set up! When you enter a church, you usually look straight ahead, and alas, there is the church altar. But nope, not here, not St. Leander. St. Leander is "unique"! Here, you walk in and see a far wall staring back at you. Where the heck is the church alter?! Where am I? Is this even church? Oh wait, turn left, strain your neck, and behold, church altar. Doesn't really make any sense for the "center piece of God" to be placed off center, but who's judging? read more

Speaking as a mom with 2 rambunctious toddlers, this is a challenging church. I don't think I even made it to the sermon part because of all the dirty looks I received from the patrons with bigger kids. I guess nobody likes to acknowledge that toddlers don't understand how to sit ABSOLUTELY still for an hour. I don't know. But if you have toddlers, save yourself the heartache and go to a church that understands that toddlers need a place to walk, away from the people who've apparently forgotten that kids will be kids. read more

St. Leander's has very beautiful grounds, but I've always found the way the altar has been situated to be a bit odd. It's kind of on the side of the church rather than up the middle of the aisle. Other than that, this place is very peaceful and is great for coming to sit during an afternoon when mass isn't going on and you want to be alone with your thoughts. On the other hand though, people need to understand that while kids will be kids, you as a parent need to learn how to control them and tell them to sit down and be quiet, no matter how small they are. The other patrons have the right to sit down for a mass without listening to someone's kids squawking in the other pew. I don't know if St. Leander's has a "crying room" like other churches do for loud, rowdy kids whose parents don't want to deal with them, but if St. Leander's does, take advantage of it when necessary. And toddlers don't "need" to walk around during mass; if you're looking for a place for them to do so you're not going to find one at St. Leander's, go to a park. read more

Biblically bringing the Church and foodies together, St. Leander is a somewhat big church with the altar set up in the middle so that everyone can sit surround it with a good view. The choir is great and they provide Spanish and Filipino masses for the church goers. We did encounter a rude lady when we went for Easter mass but bless up!!! And just brushed it off cause once mass is done, the party IS NOT OVER. When you head out of church, there are a few carts selling Mexican delicacies and they are LEGIT and God is my witness! You'll find tamales (green chile and cheese) but they also had pollo, and pork, as well as ELOTES (served up in a bowl with the kernels all chopped off from the cob and given to you with a slapping of a mayo blend cheese and chile. You can also grab champurrado (how's my spelling? Help!), dulce, fresh pineapple mango and coconut, and more!! So hit this place up right after church or just food because everyone is welcome! PRO TIP: Go a little bit before scheduled mass ends so you don't have to wait in line! read more

My review is based solely on Father Filberto. One of the main reasons I hardly go to church is because my 6year old has autism and the looks he gets. It was my youngest son's baptism and I was holding him and at some point my older son bolted from my mom and all I hear is the father saying "grab your kids, this is not a place to run". First off, I totally get that it's not a playground. When I realized it was my older son, he says "who do you think you are" as I was walking to approach my son. I told the priest that he had autism and didn't understand. All he could reply was "oh". During his lecture he explains love your kids whether they have or disability or not...sorry what was that?!? I found him to be so rude and a reminder why I dont go to church like I wish we could. I love the church and the layout but sooooo not coming back while he's there. read more

Convenient times for mass and the priests give pretty good sermons. The layout of the church was changed so that the altar is now centered on what was architecturally the side of the church. I don't like that style, but what can you do? read more

This has been my home parish since birth and I could not be more proud of this parish and the school. St. Leander is diverse, friendly, and the church is a landmark in San Leandro. Sunday evening mass at 7:00pm is casual and relaxed and everyone is always welcome at St. Leander. read more

We have a new parish priest & he is Filipino!! I must say our Spanish priest gives really good homily. Love this church!

St. Leander's is one of the most beautiful Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Oakland. I was baptized there in 1953!

I had the worst experience this past Friday at this church. I reserved a private memorial mass several weeks in advance and confirmed this with the priest Juan Franco, who is extremely rude, and spoke with him several times before the mass letting him know that my father-in-law passed away and that the family wanted to do something special to remember him. He passed away last month and I explained all of this to the priest. We had set a time for 6pm and a few days before the mass, Juan Franco calls me pushing the mass back to 6:30pm. That's fine and I agree. I thought everything was under control. A wedding rehearsal took place before our mass and at 6:30 on the dot he was waving us to come in. In the beginning of the mass, he says "anniversary" which annoyed me because we had spoken several times and I filled out a form indicating it was a memorial. At 7pm, our mass was not finished, he was waving people to come in for the next mass. I was appalled. He was so rude and inconsiderate allowing people to come in while our mass was not finished. I don't think it would have troubled the next group of people to patiently wait for five minutes until it was their turn. This priest is one of the worst priests I have seen give a mass and he was so rude to my family and to my husband who just lost his father. He made this experience worse than it already was instead of providing closure. I will never go to this church ever again or use any of their services. read more

I would like to apologize to Brenda B from San Lorenzo. Whose visit to Saint Leanders church with her toddlers was unpleasant? I have 6 children which I bring to Saint Leanders. Two of them are toddlers now. Like any toddlers they have their good days and bad days. But the more I expose them to mass service the more they get comfortable and behave. And believe it or not they start to sing and enjoy the service. On the bad days I bring little snacks they can chew on. We as parents must remember the reason why we are at mass and should not let anyone discourage our faith. I have never received bad reactions from any parishioners. I do recommend the 7:00pm family mass. It's more of a youth family service. I see many little ones here. Hope you can come back and give Saint Leanders one more chance. read more

I am a long time parishioner and my children attend St Leander school. Depending on which mass you go to you may encounter people who do not appreciate small children interrupting their time with God. The Saturday afternoon mass would be one of those times. But overall it is a very welcoming parish. The layout is terrible for acoustics, and although they've tried to take care of this with a sound-system, you cannot beat a church that utilizes it's natural acoustics. Please keep your kids out of the back of the church (what was the original alter area). The natural acoustics bounce all their noise out to the rest of the building, making it harder to hear the priest. Try counting songs with smaller kids (telling them how many songs there are during mass & counting them down). The musical director's wife taught me this trick and it works really well with my kindergartner. we have an annual Family Festival the first Saturday of September, Sep 6th this year, that is tons of fun. Food, games, & entertainment from 9AM - 9PM. Please come by and give our community a try! read more