Benicia in Solano County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
In Memory of the 100th Anniversary of Saint Dominic’s Parish of Benicia
1854 March 1954
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 25, 2025
1. In Memory of the 100th Anniversary of Saint Dominic's Parish of Benicia Marker
December 6, 1850 Bishop Joseph Alemany and Father Francis Vilarrasa arrived in San Francisco from Europe, to found the first Dominican convent in California, which they opened in Monterey. When Bishop Alemany became archbishop of the see of San Francisco, it was deemed advisable to move the Dominicans to Benicia, since this locality gave promise of becoming a thriving city. Father Vilarrasa and his young seminarians arrived in March 1854, where awaiting them was a small wooden church on the northeast corner of East 4th and East I Streets. Thus; the new parish of Saint Dominic was placed under the direction of the Dominican fathers. Young men came here from Europe and throughout the United States to continue their training in the Dominican house of studies. The order and the parish grew and in 1890 this impressive Romanesque church was dedicated.
[Plaque two]
The restoration of this church was completed on May 7, 1972, through the generosity of Elizabeth M. Driscoll (1888–1970). The Dominican fathers and the parishioners of this church dedicated this plaque in grateful memory.
Erected 1954 by Historic Landmarks Committee, Grand Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West, Benicia Parlor No. 89, Native Sons of the Golden West, and Benicia Parlor No. 287,
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1854.
Location. 38° 2.892′ N, 122° 9.01′ W. Marker is in Benicia, California, in Solano County. It is on East I Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 475 E I St, Benicia CA 94510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, in Sacramento Valley, and specifically in the Central Valley. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Father Peter Augustine Anderson, OP (a few steps from this marker); Saint Paul's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); 1854 – Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church – 1954 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hayes Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Bohn Building (approx. half a mile away); First Masonic Hall Built in California (approx. half a mile away); Norman V. Gonsalves, Sr. (approx. half a mile away); BDES Hall (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Benicia.
Also see . . . History of St. Dominic’s in Benicia.
For over 165 years, St. Dominic’s has maintained a strong spiritual and academic presence in the once-state-capital town of Benicia, California. In 1854, the Dominican priest, Fr. FrancisVilarrasa, sailed from Monterey, where he had founded Santo Domingo Monastery, to the thriving city of Benicia. After arriving on March 16, 1854, the Dominican community occupied the property bound by East I and J between 4th and 5th Streets as a Dominican Seminary. In August of the same year, Mother Mary, who had made the first journey with Fr. Vilarrasa from Rome, arrived from Monterey with other Sisters and some resident students to set up school in Benicia. She bought several frame buildings in the hollow at the north end of 1st Street where she founded St. Catherine’s School. The Seminary grew and prospered with the building of St. Dominic’s Church, which was dedicated in 1890. In the early 1930’s, the Seminary and House of Studies were moved elsewhere. St. Catherine’s, however, was in continuous operation for more than a century until 1966, when ten of its buildings were demolished. The Solano shopping center now occupies the site. St. Dominic’s Rectory was built in 1956 and the old seminary dormitory was torn down. In March of 1961, St. Dominic’s Parochial School was opened on the corner of 5th and East J Streets. This school is still in operation today. A committed community of parents, teachers, staff, and church congregation support its development. Together, St. Dominic’s Church and School provide a strong spiritual and academic presence in a growing Benicia.Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 25, 20252. In Memory of the 100th Anniversary of Saint Dominic’s Parish of Benicia Marker
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 25, 2025
3. Saint Dominic’s Parish of Benicia
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 25, 2025
4. Saint Dominic’s Parish of Benicia
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 25, 2025
5. Saint Dominic’s Parish of Benicia
Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 13, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
