Bodega in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Church of Saint Teresa of Avila

Saint Teresa of Avila Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Henry M Kohnen, October 18, 2014

1. Saint Teresa of Avila Church Marker

Inscription. Constructed of redwood in 1859 by New England ship's carpenters on land donated by Jasper O'Farrell, the church has served this coastal community continuously for over a century. Father Louis Rossi was appointed pastor on March 8, 1860, and Archbishop Alemany dedicated the church on June 2, 1861.

Erected 1968 by State Dept. of Parks & Recreation in cooperation with the Roman Catholic Church. (Marker Number 820.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1854.

Location. 38° 20.762′ N, 122° 58.335′ W. Marker is in Bodega, California, in Sonoma County. Marker is on Bodega Highway, 0.2 miles west of Bodega Lane, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on a planter facing the highway between the two ramps entering the church parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17242 Bodega Hwy, Bodega, CA, Bodega CA 94922, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Potter School Est. 1873 (within shouting distance of this marker); Bodega Bay (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Watson School (approx. 1.9 miles away);

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Running Fence (approx. 2 miles away); Christo’s Running Fence (approx. 3.2 miles away); Freestone House (approx. 3.6 miles away); The Children's Bell Tower (approx. 4.3 miles away); Occidental Union Hotel (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bodega.

Regarding Church of Saint Teresa of Avila. Who was St. Teresa? Born in Avila, Spain in 1515, St. Teresa entered the Carmelite Order at the age of 20. She initiated major reforms within the Order, which greatly influenced both men and women religious. She also wrote extensively on spiritual and mystical subjects. Saint Teresa was canonized in 1622 and was proclaimed the first woman Doctor of the Church in 1970 for her writing and teaching on prayer. Her feast day is celebrated October 15. -- St. Teresa of Avila Church website

Also see . . . St. Teresa of Avila Church, Bodega. Joint website of St. Philip's (Occidental) and St. Teresa (Bodega), giving the history of the St. Teresa of Avila Church: "...Ansel Adams made Saint Teresa of Avila the subject of his black and white photograph in 1953 “Church and Road”. Prints are available. Saint
Photographed By Henry M Kohnen, October 18, 2014

2. Saint Teresa of Avila Church
Teresa of Avila is located next door to the Potter School, which was the setting for the schoolhouse scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s film “The Birds”. The Church can be seen in the film. Locals tell us Hitchcock attended church services during the filming of his movie.... (Submitted on August 22, 2015.)

Church of Saint Teresa of Avila Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 1, 2021

3. Church of Saint Teresa of Avila Marker

Saint Teresa of Avila Church image. Click for full size.

July 5, 2015

4. Saint Teresa of Avila Church

St. Teresa of Avila Church - Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of St. Teresa of Avila image. Click for full size.

July 5, 2015

5. St. Teresa of Avila Church - Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of St. Teresa of Avila

Saint Teresa of Avila Church and Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

July 5, 2015

6. Saint Teresa of Avila Church and Marker - Wide View

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2014, by Henry M Kohnen of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 479 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 21, 2014, by Henry M Kohnen of San Jose, California. 3. submitted on July 8, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 22, 2015. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.