Virginia City in Storey County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
St. Mary's in the Mountains
The Cradle of Catholicism in Western Nevada
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 11, 2010
1. St. Mary's in the Mountains Marker
Known as the "Bonanza Church" because of the rich silver mines of the last century, this Mother Church of the Comstock Lode traces it history to 1858 when the Rev. Joseph Gallagher (1821-87) offered the first mass in Nevada. His brother, the Rev. Hugh P. Gallagher (1815-82), opened the first church in Virginia City in 1860. Destroyed by the winds of the following winter, this church was replaced in 1864 when the Rev. Patrick Manogue (1831-95) erected a new church a block away from here. The present church, originally built in 1868, was seriously damaged in the Great Fire of 1875 but rebuilt in 1876. Today St. Mary's stands here as a treasure of the old west and is now recognized as a National Catholic Historic Site. Erected 1991 by the International Order of Alhambra
Erected 1991 by The International Order of Alhambra.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.
Location. 39° 18.547′ N, 119° 38.924′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Nevada, in Storey County. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Pioneer Church (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Julia C. Bulette (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bonner Shaft of the Gould & Curry Mine (about 300 feet away); The Nevada Bank of San Francisco (about 400 feet away); Col. Morris Pinschower Building (about 400 feet away); The Great Fire of 1875 (about 400 feet away); BOB (about 400 feet away); V & T Car No. 13 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.
More about this marker. The marker is located to the immediate right of the main entrance of the church.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 11, 2010
2. St. Mary's in the Mountains Dedication Plaque
Mounted high up on the church, visible above the stained glass rosette but below the steeple, is a dedication plaque reading:
St. Mary in the Mountains.
Built 1868. Burned 1875. Rebuilt 1876.
Rev. P. Manogue Pastor
This is no other than the house of God,
and the gate of Heaven Gen. XXXVIII.
Built 1868. Burned 1875. Rebuilt 1876.
Rev. P. Manogue Pastor
This is no other than the house of God,
and the gate of Heaven Gen. XXXVIII.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 11, 2010
3. "Manogue - Miner, Priest, Bishop"
Mounted to the immediate left of the front entrance is an ornamental plaque dedicated to the Rev. Patrick Manogue. In addition to being responsible for St. Mary's, in 1886 Manogue became the first bishop of the newly-formed Diocese of Sacramento.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 11, 2010
4. St. Mary's in the Mountains - Interior view, looking toward the altar
"...The wooden arches and pews in the church were made from Northern California redwood with white pine moldings. The pews (complete with doors) were once rented to the citizens of Virginia City, with the more prominent townsfolk sitting in the front pews!" - from the St. Mary's in the Mountains website history.
Photographed By Robert W. Kerrigan, circa March 1937
5. St. Mary's in the Mountains, as it appeared in 1937
This photo is courtesy of the Historic American Buildings Survey.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, September 11, 2010
6. St. Mary's in the Mountains as it appears today
The Manogue plaque is visible to the left of the front entrance, while the historical marker is visible on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 816 times since then and 136 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 14, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
