Sacred Spaces

Sacred Spaces

Churches and sacred spaces in Napa County played a vital role in shaping the region’s spiritual and cultural identity. Early churches, like Yountville Community Church (1876) and Grace Episcopal Church (1882) in St. Helena, express the craftsmanship of their builders and the importance of community during the 19th century. As the region expanded, so did its religious diversity, leading to a variety of architectural styles, from simple wood-frame chapels to more contemporary designs.

Mont La Salle

Black and white photograph of the Mount La Salle chapel with vineyard in the foreground.

Mount La Salle Chapel, photographed circa 1977 by Charles M. Loring. NCHS Collection.
Color photograph of the steeple at the Mount La Salle Chapel.

Mount La Salle Chapel, photographed 1984. NCHS Collection.

Post-Modern Style Churches

Black and white photograph of two people standing in front of the First Christian Church.

First Christian Church, photographed circa 1980. NCHS Collection.
Black and white photograph of the Mormon Church and steeple on a hill.

Mormon Church, photographed circa 1980. NCHS Collection.

First Presbyterian Church

Men on scaffolding on the roof of the First Presbyterian church.

First Presbyterian Church Re-roofing, unknown date. NCHS Collection.
The interior and pipe organ of the First Presbyterian Church.

First Presbyterian Church Interior, photographed 1908 by Mark Strong. NCHS Collection.
Early photograph of the First Presbyterian Church and steeple.

First Presbyterian Church photographed 1900. NCHS Collection.
Color photograph of the First Presbyterian Church at night with the steeple lit.

First Presbyterian Church, photographed 2024 by Kara Brunzell. Courtesy of Brunzell Historical.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Napa.

New St. John the Baptist Church, photographed 2000 by the Napa Register. NCHS Collection.
The old St. John the Baptist Church in Napa.

Original St. John the Baptist Church, photographed 1966. NCHS Collection.

Community Churches

A group of people enters a historic white church surrounded by tall trees in the old photograph.

Yountville Community Church, unknown date. NCHS Collection.
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. A small chapel with a cross is framed by two tall palm trees amidst lush shrubs.

Joan of Arc Church, photographed 1977 by Judith Munns. NCHS Collection.

Methodist Churches

An old sepia photograph shows a church building with a tall central steeple and arched windows

Calistoga Methodist Church, unknown date. NCHS Collection.
A black and white photo of a large, Gothic-style church with a prominent bell tower. Trees and a parked vintage car are in the foreground.

Napa Methodist Church, photographed circa 1960 by Charles M. Loring. NCHS Collection.

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