At the end of April 1975, when the North Vietnamese communists invaded the South and the government of the Republic of Vietnam collapsed, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese had to flee the country, crossed the sea to find freedom and were scattered throughout the Five Continents. Majority of these refugees settled in the United States, of which most find compatibility within California, and a good number settled in Sacramento, the capital of California. Although miles from the beloved Mother Church in Vietnam, Vietnamese Catholics still carried with them the seed of faith that has been sown in their hearts. In the beginning, a hand full of Vietnamese Catholic families settled in the North 12 street housing (often referred to as Zone 12) in Sacramento. These families attended mass at St. Francis of Assisi on 26th Street. Given the language barrier and need, in early 1976, Reverend Joseph Nguyen Van Tinh from San Jose came to celebrate Sunday Mass in Vietnamese, once a month.  
 
            In the fall of 1976, Reverend James Nguyen Van Vi, a refugee in 1975, settled in Sacramento. He joined and served the Diocese of Sacramento under jurisdiction of Most Reverend Alden Bell, Bishop of Diocese of Sacramento. With permission of Bishop Bell and in collaboration with Mr. Joseph Vu Dinh Tuong, a parishioner from Zone 12, and his family, Rev. Vi began celebrating weekly Sunday Masses at Newman Catholic Center, 5900 Newman Court. At that time, there were only about 40-50 people attending Masses. The Vietnamese Catholic Community of Sacramento began to take shape. Following the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Father Vi always thought of the flock, as he search for a better place for the Vietnamese people, continuing to devote himself to build this young community.  
 
         In 1979 because the Vietnamese Catholic Community, Sacramento continued to grow, Reverend Vi requested permission from the Diocese of Sacramento and was approved to celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Peter All Hallow Church on 6210 McMahon Drive. At this time, the number of parishioners attending Mass has reached nearly 100. Toward the end of 1981, permission was granted for Reverend Vi to celebrate Sunday Mass at St. Paul Catholic Church on 8720 Florin Road, a more spacious church because the number of parishioners, at this point, has reached nearly 400. 
 
          On January 17, 1984 with contributions of the parishioners, along with the generosity of an American family benefactor, the Fred Lammerding family, the Vietnamese Catholic Community in Sacramento bought an old three bedroom house, on a 5-acre parcel of land at 10371 Jackson Road, a suburb of Sacramento City, for $125,000. With the efforts of many volunteer parishioners, the living room of the house was converted, extending its length about 30 feet using a canvas tent, to serve as a church. The Church, although small, modest, and lacked many things, was a sacred place of worship of Vietnamese Catholics in a foreign land. During the cold winter months, coal BBQ grills were placed around the canvas tent to provide heat, while in hot summer months, natural air provided “cool” air instead of air conditioners. During Mass, only the elderlies, young children, and pregnant women were allowed inside the Church. Young men, women, and the healthy had to stand in canvas tents or sidewalks. Sometimes during Mass, rainwater poured down from the canvas tents soaking parishioners – a very merciful scene. 
 
            In 1985 the Vietnamese Catholic Community - Sacramento began to use the title of Vietnamese Martyrs Community; and in early 1986 the community initiated the project to build a new church on this 5-acre parcel of land to replace the temporary, small church. Unfortunately, Reverend James Nguyen Van Vi fell ill and returned to God on June 4, 1986.  
 
          In August 1986 Reverend Joseph Nguyen Van Hoan temporarily served the Vietnamese Church and was permanently appointed Rector on October 27, 1986 by Most Reverend Francis A. Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento.  Rev. Hoan and the Executive Committee at the time continued the project of building a new church. On November 5, 1988 Bishop Quinn conducted a celebratory Mass and Dedication of the Vietnamese Martyrs Church of Sacramento, a church built for 500 parishioners, which was completed with a funding of a little over $400,000.  
 
          On March 10, 1994 Rev. Hoan was transferred as his term ended. From April to June 1994 Reverend Charles Nguyen Van Dung temporarily served the Church.  
 
          On June 5, 1994 Reverend Thaddeus Maria Nguyen Ngoc Ban, CMC a member of the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer, was appointed Rector and Chaplain by Most Reverend William K. Weigand, Bishop of Diocese of Sacramento, with assistance of the following Reverends: Joseph Cao Xuan Canh, CMC (2002-2004), Martin Maria Tran Dung Luc, CMC (2004-2006), and Francis Xavier Luong Minh Tuat, CMC (2007-2009). 

          Bringing Christ’s love to the community, and with a deep devotion to maintain the traditions of the Vietnamese Catholic faith,  Rev. Ban focused on sowing the Catholic faith, preserving the Vietnamese language and culture for the Vietnamese Martyrs Community’s children. With these goals, St. Joseph's School of Catechism and Vietnamese Language was established in the late summer of 1995, beginning with about 40 Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth members. When the community heard that St. Joseph’s School officially opened with the combination of three teaching subjects: Catechism, Vietnamese Language, and Children’s Activities, to help the youth live morally and maintain Vietnamese Culture, the enrollment increased to nearly 100 youths. Due the growing number of youths enrolled, Reverend Ban requested the community to purchase some old mobile homes and called on volunteer parishioners to come and converted them into classrooms. In the beginning, the learning and activities of the children and teachers took place in cramped, makeshift classrooms, and lack of facilities. The summers were hot, the winters were cold, and the human resources were few. With many challenges, Rev. Ban was even more determined to build a better place for God’s children to congregate and focused on progressing God’s place of worship.  
 
          The number of parishioners grew rapidly, increasing the number of congregational activities, while lacking the facilities for many Church Organizations to serve and conduct activities. For the convenience of a large number of parishioners residing in Southern Sacramento, the Vietnamese Martyrs Community, under the guidance of Reverend Ban were given approval by Most Reverend William K. Weigand, Bishop of Diocese of Sacramento, to find another location and build a more spacious church with adequate facilities necessary for community activities, and especially a spacious, well-equipped Education Center for the youths.  
 
           On August 23, 2000, the community purchased two old houses on nearly 10-acre parcel of land at 8181 Florin Road. These two houses were renovated by parishioners. One was used as a rectory and temporary office while the other one was used as Chapel. Daily Masses were celebrated in the Chapel during the construction of the new church, while Sunday Masses celebration continued at the Vietnamese Martyrs Church on Jackson Road. 

           For nearly 15 years as Rector of Vietnamese Martyrs Church, from June 1994 forward, Rev. Ban saved each dollar, encouraged and reminded each parishioner, each organization to contribute their strength and energies, conducted weekly selling of foods and organized concerts to raise fund, as well as participated in church activities to build God's Church. A remarkable effort put forth by the Father Ban! Since the inauguration in 1994, the church’s fund was only $ 50,000, but when the construction of the new church began, the church’s fund amounted to over $4 million.  
 
           After six years of planning and preparation, the construction of the new church commenced in early 2007 with the expected completion in the summer of 2009. Jackson Construction company was contracted to construct major structures of the Church and other main buildings, while the extra work, such as: Laying of 40,000 square feet of flooring (tiles, and marbles) and wood flooring for the Altar, assembling doors, decorating stained glasses, painting walls, installing the irrigation systems for plants, planting of trees and grass around the Church, fencing the perimeters of the Church, etc., were undertaken by a large number of volunteer parishioners (young and old, females and males). These volunteer parishioners’ work saved the Church over $500,000.  
 
          As the construction of the new Church near its completion, on February 16th, 2009. Rev. Ban was seriously injured in a car accident at the front of the new church and was unable to continue to serve the community. Reverend Francis Xavier Luong Minh Tuat, CMC, Assistant Rector, and the executive committee continued the work and completed the project on June 5, 2009.  
 
          On June 7, 2009 Reverend Philip Tran Binh Kha, CMC was appointed Rector of the Vietnamese Martyrs Church by Most Reverend Jaime Soto, Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento, with the assistance of the following Reverends: Charles Pham Duc Sinh, CMC (2009-2012) and Augustine Truong Truong Ky, CMC (2012-2015).  
 
          On Sunday, June 28, 2009 Most Reverend Jaime Soto, Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento and Most Reverend Mai Thanh Luong, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange, celebrated Mass and Dedication of the Vietnamese Martyrs Church - Sacramento with the presence of over 3,000 Catholics. On that day, the Community had a facility on a nearly 10-acre parcel of land, that include a spacious Church with about 1,000 seats, a Chapel with 200 seats, a Hall with more than 2,300 seats, 11 classrooms for more than 600 students, a fully equipped kitchen, which meets restaurant's standards and a spacious parking lot of over 400 spaces. This work has shown the strong solidarity of a beloved spiritual father, Rev. Ban, and devoted parishioners, overcoming many difficulties and challenges, and together, hand in hand, built a sacred home for our community with foresights and preparation for the future. 
On Sunday, November 29, 2009 Most Reverend Jaime Soto, Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento celebrated Mass at the new Church and presented a Decree establishing the Vietnamese Martyrs Church of Sacramento as a Personal Parish, making it the first and only Parish for Vietnamese Catholics in the State of California. During this Mass, Bishop Soto appointed Reverend Thaddeus Maria Nguyen Ngoc Ban, CMC to be Pastor of the Vietnamese Martyrs Parish for one day, November 29, 2009 to express gratitude for his dedication in serving and expanding the Vietnamese Catholic Community and building the new church. That very day, Rev. Ban became the First Pastor of the Vietnamese Martyrs Parish – Sacramento. Because of his serious injury due to the car accident, Rev. Ban returned to the Congregation of the Mother Coredemptrix in Carthage, Missouri to convalesce and was called by the Lord on June 26, 2010, leaving great grief for many people in general, and for the parishioners of the Vietnamese Martyrs Parish of Sacramento, in particular. 

         On November 30, 2009 Reverend Philip Tran Binh Kha, CMC was appointed Pastor of the Vietnamese Martyrs Parish by Most Reverend Soto, Bishop of Sacramento Diocese. From 2009 to 2015, with the continuous increasing numbers of parishioners, Rev. Kha worked hard and called on parishioners’ cooperation, and organized many fundraising events for the expansion that the Pastor and Parish Councils have planned. Within six years, the parish purchased nearly 2 additional acres parcel of land to expand the parish’s footprint to nearly 12 acres. On the newly purchased parcel of land, the parish built a new rectory, fences and gates in front of the church, and Our Lady of Lavang Monument with a 23-ft statue of Our Lady of Lavang carved out of a marble block and weighted 20 tons. Our Lady of Lavang Monument was consecrated by Most Reverend Jaime Soto, Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento, and Most Reverend Mai Thanh Luong, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Diocese of Orange, on October 18, 2015.  
 
          Reverend Kha and the Standing Council also began researching and setting up a project to develop facilities for the activities of the parish. The project included new parish office and the construction of additional classrooms. Thanks be to God for the many blessings; during his six years of pastoral duty at Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, Rev. Kha had long-term vision for the parish's need for advancement, and worked relentlessly to perfect our place of worship for parish’s great family, and established a solid foundation for our parish to begin to rise -- Spiritually.  
 
          On August 24, 2015 Reverend JIM Ngo Hoang Khoi, CMC was appointed Pastor by Most Reverend Jaime Soto, Bishop of Sacramento Diocese, with Reverend Peter Dinh Tuyen Vien, CMC (2015-2018) as Parochial Vicar. During Rev. Khoi’s pastoral duty at The Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, spiritual and organizational development were of his top concerns. Rev. Khoi encouraged fellowship, volunteerism, and the involvement of all parishioners, specifically existing church organizations, and organized choirs. Currently, the parish has six choirs serving Masses offered on the weekends and a combined choir for special Masses such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Notably, Rev. Khoi organized and founded Senior Citizen Group for over 65-year-old parishioners, to help strengthen their faiths and to create bonds between members, specifically between husbands and wives. Senior Citizen Group currently has over 100 members. 

           In addition, Rev. Khoi focused on educating the younger generation to help them strengthen their Catholic faith, and to promote the Vietnamese language and culture in the hearts and minds of every Vietnamese child. Furthermore, Rev. Khoi also spent a lot of time with the Church’s council to study and develop projects to enhance the Parish's facilities. The project includes a new 3,000-square-foot Parish office; additional classrooms, meeting rooms with a nearly 5,000 square feet hall, bell tower, prayer garden and a new parking lot with over 100 spaces. The project is in the process of obtaining a construction permit. 

           On November 2018 Rev. Louis Vu Minh Nhien, CRM was appointed Pastor of the Vietnamese Martyrs Parish by Most Reverend Jaime Soto, Bishop of Sacramento Diocese, with Rev. Thomas Vu Luu Truyen, CRM (July 3, 2018) as Parochial Vicar.  Rev. Nhien continues carrying out the construction project that was planned by his predecessors.  In addition, recognizing the fast increasing number of parishioners and the need for more facilities for parish’s activities, Rev. Nhien and the Standing Council purchased nearly 5 acres of land adjacent to the church, to implement the parish’s facility development project such as more parking spaces, outdoor playgrounds for the youth, and future development needs. Currently the footprint of the parish is nearly 16 acres. Since the first day of his appointment, Rev. Nhien has been engrossed in improving the parish's facilities; changing outdated equipment in the church and the classrooms, and furnishing the hall with sturdier and uniformed tables and chairs.  Rev. Nhien is very devoted to create a good education program and enhancing the learning environment for the students at St. Joseph Education Center. He spent a great amount of time reviewing and updating the curriculum to increase its effectiveness.  He also spent hours guiding, supporting, and encouraging choirs to serve in weekly masses.  In the same way and with a loving heart, Rev. Nhien has been attentive to all activities and wellbeing of volunteers and various religious organizations in the parish.   
 
          All Priests formally appointed and served the Vietnamese Martyrs’ Church, from the late Reverend Thaddeus Maria Nguyen Ngoc Ban, CMC (1994) to date belong to the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer. ˡ  
 
         Through the Grace of God, two parishioners of the Parish responded to the call of Jesus Christ and became faithful servants in service of the Church: Reverend Joseph Maria Nguyen Xuan Huong (1985), currently Pastor of St. Anne Parish, Diocese of Sacramento, and Reverend Joseph Nguyen Van Huyen (1995), currently Parochial Vicar of St. Joseph Parish, Diocese of Sacramento.  
 
         Through the example of "wholeheartedly joining hands in building a loving and enthusiastic family, committed to serving the people of God" set by Priests, three parishioners have responded to the Call and were trained as Deacons. All three were appointed by various Bishops of the Diocese of Sacramento to serve our parish: Deacon Anton Nguyen Ngoc Huy, Deacon James Nguyen Nam Tien, and Deacon Dominic Nguyen Binh An. Currently, three other parishioners have responded to the Call and are being trained to become Deacons to help taking care of the Lord's vineyard in the future.  
 
          May God, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother and the Vietnamese Martyrs, continue to shower Grace upon our Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Brothers and Sisters, and parishioners so that all are united in loving charity, forming a part of Christ’s body on earth. 
                                                                     Vietnamese Martyrs Parish – Sacramento           
​                                                                                       November 2019 
 
Note: 1. The Congregation of the Mother Coredemptrix (CMC) was renamed Congregation of Mother of    the Redeemer (CRM). Latin: Congregatio Redemptoris Matris on April 7, 2017.