Old St. Hilary's

Old St. Hilary's
201 Esperanza, Tiburon,
Marin County

"This deconsecrated Catholic mission
church, with redwood walls and a
Douglas fir ceiling, is a rare surviving
example of Carpenter Gothic
architecture. Built in 1888 to meet
the spiritual needs of the budding
community of Tiburon (which was
established as the railroad system
expanded), Old St. Hilary's is a
notable area landmark. The window
above the door is original; it
illustrates St. Hilary, the patron
saint of scholars, for whom the
building is named. The chandeliers,
now electronic, are replicas of those
that first lit the church, which were
suspended by ropes. The original
furnishings remain as well: two
pews, the white altar railing, two
white pedestals for statues, and the
concert grand piano. In fact, Old St.
Hilary's is situated in a wildflower
preserve that was proclaimed by a
well-known botanist to be "one of
the most interesting and remarkable
and beautiful wildflower gardens in
California (and therefore the world!)." There
are 217 species of ferns and seed-bearing
plants, many of which are rare and
endangered."