Fundraising for Our 200th Anniversary
“An investment, no matter how large or small - still remains a positive impact on our School & Parish. This project is an investment towards the future of our Community as a whole. Please join us in making that commitment.”
-Fr. Alvin Villaruel, pastor
-Debbie Picard, School Principal
All contributions and pledges made are tax deductible and restricted to the projects described in this campaign. Our Federal Tax ID is
68-0163793.
On behalf of Fr Alvin Villaruel, Fr Rowell Gumalay, and Deacon Dave, we are seeking your support of St Francis Solano’s 200th Anniversary Celebration.
This Bicentennial event is a beautiful testament to the blessings brought to us by missionaries, pastors, priests, nuns, deacons, teachers, and lay men and women throughout these 200 years. Today, the spiritual health of St Francis Solano is alive and strong because of you, our parishioners.
The celebration’s fundraising committee is undertaking the task to raise the funds required to fulfill the many current needs of our church and school life. These plans include the implementation of safety and risk mitigation measures and critically needed maintenance and repairs to the physical buildings. To view a detailed report of these improvements, please click here. Additionally, the funds raised will support our celebration events including special liturgical, eucharistic, and family fun experiences. The budgeted amount for this category is $80,000.
To donate, please use this link or simply mail a check to: 469 Third Street West, Sonoma, CA 95476, or drop off your contribution to the church office. We assure you that these funds will be held in a separate 200 Anniversary account and allowed only to be used for our Parish purposes. There is a mandatory Restrictive Gift Letter that can be downloaded here for your completion and authorization. Please know that this donation is to a non-profit entity and is tax deductible. Multi-year pledges and matching fund offers are also very much appreciated.
We look forward to celebrating this milestone event with you. Thank you in advance for your generosity and may God bless you abundantly.
Mass Times
Christmas Eve - Sunday, December 24 Vigil mass at 4 PM, 6 PM, and midnight.
Christmas Day - Monday, December 25 Mass times are 7:30 AM, 9 AM and 11 AM in English
Saturday Vigil:
5pm English & 7pm Spanish
Sunday: 7:30am, 9am, 11am English & 1pm Spanish
Daily Mass:
Monday - Saturday: 8:30am
Confession:
Saturday: 4pm by Sacred Heart Chapel
Holy Days of Obligation
8:30AM , School Mass 10:30AM, 5PM, 7PM Spanish
Our Bicentennial
St. Francis Solano Catholic Church
Celebrating 200 Years in Sonoma
Donating is Simple
List of Services
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Donate - Any Amount is AppreciatedList Item 1
Click the Donate Button or Scan the QR Code to make your tax-deductible donation.
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View the proposed improvements and select the project to which you would like to donate.
Please review and specify the improvement (s) and repairs to which you would like to donate.
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Download, print and complete the Restricted Gift LetterList Item 2
Select how your funds will be used to support St. Francis Solano Church! The completed form can be scanned and emailed to sfrancis_solano@sbcglobal.net or mailed to or dropped off at the Church Office at 469 Third Street West, Sonoma, CA 95476.
Our History & Legacy
Saint Francisco Solano Catholic Church is an historic church located in Sonoma, California.
Founding and Early Years
The St. Francis Solano Church was founded in 1823 by Spanish missionaries from the Franciscan Order. It was part of the larger network of Catholic missions established by the Spanish throughout California. The mission was named after Saint Francis Solano, a 17th-century Franciscan missionary known for his work in South America.
Original Construction
The original church building was constructed between 1823 and 1826 using local materials, including adobe bricks. It was a simple structure with a single nave and a small bell tower. The church also served as a place of worship, education, and community gathering for the local indigenous population. In 1834, the Mexican government, which had gained control of California from Spain, enacted laws to secularize the missions. This resulted in the transfer of mission properties, including the St. Francis Solano Church, to civilian hands. The church fell into disrepair and was abandoned for a period.
Revival and Restoration
In the late 1840s, after the United States acquired California, efforts were made to revive the church. It was restored and reopened for worship in 1846. Over the years, various renovations and additions were made to the building to accommodate the growing Catholic community.
Design and Architecture
The St. Francis Solano Church features a blend of architectural styles. The original adobe structure has been expanded and modified multiple times. The church exhibits elements of Spanish Colonial architecture, with its white stucco walls, red-tile roof, and arched doorways and windows. It also displays Gothic Revival influences, particularly in its prominent bell tower and stained glass windows.
Historical Significance
The St. Francis Solano Church holds historical significance as the last and northernmost of the 21 California missions established by the Spanish. It is a designated California Historical Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, the St. Francis Solano Church continues to serve as an active Catholic parish and is open to visitors who wish to explore its rich history and architecture. It stands as a testament to the early Spanish colonial presence in California and the enduring legacy of the Franciscan missionaries.
