Santa Clara in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

St. Clare’s Parish

Point of Historical Interest

Photographed by Alice Mansell, October 1, 2026

1. St. Clare’s Parish Marker

Inscription.
St Clare’s Catholic Parish founded by the Franciscans, under Father Tomas de la Pena, in 1777. Parish came under the guidance of the Jesuit Fathers in 1851. Plaque marks the sixth site of Parish church.

1777 - 1977

Placed by the order of the Santa Clara City Council by the Historical and Landmarks Commission.

Erected 1977 by Santa Clara City Historical and Landmarks Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Hispanic Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is January 12, 1777.

Location. 37° 20.889′ N, 121° 56.588′ W. Marker is in Santa Clara, California, in Santa Clara County. It is at the intersection of Lexington Street and Washington Street, on the left when traveling east on Lexington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santa Clara CA 95050, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the San Francisco Bay Area,

in Silicon Valley,

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

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on 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: Old Adobe Wall/Olive Trees (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mission Corral Site (about 500 feet away); Professor John J. Montgomery (about 500 feet away); Luis Arguello Home (about 600 feet away); Father Magin Catala (about 600 feet away); Dr. Henry Warburton House (about 700 feet away); Memorial Roses (about 700 feet away); Original Cross (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Clara.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Saint Clare Parish (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

The parish community of St. Clare originated from the Mission Santa Clara de Asís and can trace its history to January 12, 1777, when Fathers Tomas de la Pena and Jose Antonio de Murguia celebrated Mass on the west bank of Santa Clara's Guadalupe River.

St. Clare Parish
Photographed by Alice Mansell, October 1, 2026

2. Marker on church’s entrance stairway by a bell
was built to take over the parochial functions of the Mission Santa Clara de Asís after it burned in 1925. The parish was built later that same year one block west of the mission on Lexington Street.

(Submitted on October 3, 2026.)

Saint Clare Parish church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alice Mansell, October 1, 2026

3. Saint Clare Parish church

Marker is on left side of entrance stairs at street level when facing the street

Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2026, by Alice Mansell of Los Altos, California. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2026, by Alice Mansell of Los Altos, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.