A Catholic Community by the Bay

A community 100 years in the making . . .

In the early 1900's, the Old St. Sylvester's Church was a school for the children in the area. At that time the children were mostly from families employed at McNear's brickyard and actually resided on brickyard property. It was known as the McNear School or sometimes as the San Pedro School.

In April 1920 Rev. T.J. Brennam of St. Raphael's Parish received permission from Mr. A.J. McNear to use the one-person school building after regular school hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays for instructions to prepare children for their First Holy Communion. This appears to be the first religious activity in the old school.

After World War II it was closed and remodeled for a tract office for the developers of the Glenwood subdivision.

On March 23, 1957, His Excellency the Most Reverend Archbishop John Joseph Mitty purchased the old McNear School and ten acres of land to serve as the site of a new parish plant. With the help of volunteer workers, slight alterations were made to the interior of the school building as requested by the City building inspector. The building was approved for use by the City of San Rafael in September of 1957. An altar was erected and seating provided for one hundred people, the furnishings being provided by St. Raphael Parish.

The first Mass in the new location, known as St. Sylvester's Mission, Glenwood, East San Rafael, was offered on Sunday, September 8, 1957 by Rev. Daniel McAlister from St. Raphael Parish. It was reported that 96 people attended. From then on Mass was offered on Sundays at 10am for residents of Glenwood and vicinity.

St. Sylvester Chapel continues to be a part of St. Raphael Parish community!

Mass Time: 4:30 PM Saturdays