Churches
St. Francis of the Mountains: Fallen Leaf Lake’s historical church
St. Francis of the Mountains, also known as Fallen Leaf Lake church or chapel, is a quaint church steeped in history and rustic charm. Located near the southeast portion of Fallen Leaf Lake, St. Francis of the Mountains is a ‘one of a kind’ church that perfectly complements the Tahoe landscape. History of the Church …...
The Church of the Immaculate Conception: Smartsville’s historic catholic church
As the years pass by, churches from the Gold Rush era are becoming harder to find. Many of the Gold Rush towns have faded into history with very few remnants, if any, to show of their existence. Yuba County’s Smartsville was one of the lucky towns to have survived Gold Country’s disappearing act. And, in their …...
St. Peter’s Chapel: the oldest Naval chapel in the United States
St. Peter’s Chapel, located on Mare Island, is an exquisite little chapel built in 1901. It’s Victorian Gothic design hides the chapel’s true beauty, which is on the inside. In the mid-to-late 20th century, it was discovered that this chapel was the oldest original Naval chapel in the United States. Today, it’s a...
Castles on the Hill: the San Francisco Theological Seminary’s Montgomery and Scott Halls
On a knoll overlooking the town of San Anselmo, are two fairytale like castles positioned in the shadows of Mt. Tamalpais. These structures, which at one time flirted with a destructive fate, are the source of community pride and affectionately known as the “castles on the hill.” History In September of 1892, the San...
The tale of St. Joseph’s Church Bell
The parish decided to raise $3500 for a church bell to be added to St. Joseph. The bell was cast in Sheffield and then delivered to Boston. It would then be shipped around the Horn to San Francisco. By boat, the bell was taken to Sacramento where it was transported via cart with 6 horses to …...
