Old St Hilary’s Church

Specialties

Wildflowers surround Old St. Hilary’s, Tiburon’s iconic hillside landmark, which was originally a mission church named for St. Hilaire, Bishop of Poitiers. The heirs of John Reed – who held title to El Rancho Corte Madera del Presidio, the Mexican land grant that included the Tiburon Peninsula – deeded the one-​quarter acre site for $ 2 to the Archdiocese of San Francisco, which built the church as a place of worship for local railroad workers in 1888.

History

Established in 1959.

The building is of significant architectural importance because it is one of the few remaining Carpenter Gothic churches to survive in its original setting. It is constructed of redwood, with redwood doors and a Douglas fir ceiling. Amber glass replaced the original stained glass windows after they were broken. The stained glass window above the door has been restored and depicts St. Hilary (fourth century), patron saint of scholars. It was a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Lyford.

The current electric lights are replicas of coal-​oil chandeliers, which were lowered with ropes that brackets on the walls held in place. Heating and water are modern additions. Original furnishings include the white altar rail and two stands for statues on either side of the sanctuary, as well as the restored Stations of the Cross in the nave. A donor salvaged the cross from a church in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Most of the permanent furnishings are donations in honor of local residents. They include the conc

Meet the Business Owner

Beverly B.

Business Owner

The Landmarks Society manages and maintains the Old St. Hilary’s Landmark and the surrounding wildflower preserve, the China Cabin, the Railroad Ferry & Depot Museum, and the Landmarks Art and Garden Center. These sites are all on the Tiburon Peninsula in Marin County.

The Landmarks History Collections includes photographs, fine art, artifacts, maps, documents, and a reference library.

The Society activities include historic publications, botanical and architectural tours, concerts, lectures, and exhibits.

The Landmarks sites are open to the general public from April thru October each year and are available for rent year round.