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| Landmark #483 | Shasta County | Visited: May 10, 2012 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A small plaque and foundation of Father Raphael Rinaldi’s church! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: In the summer of 1853 Archbishop Alemany of San Francisco sent Father Florian Schwenninger to take over the mission of Shasta County. In the later part of 1853 a small wooden church was built. In 1855, Father Schwenninger moved over to Weaverville and Shasta’s new priest, Father Raphael Rinaldi, decided to build a structure of cut stone to replace the small wooden church that had served since 1853. In 1857, the cornerstone of the church was laid, but for some reason its walls never rose. The foundation can still be seen (1963).
OTHER TIDBITS: Father Schwenninger was a Benedictine missionary from Austria who made it his mission to bring hope and encouragement to the folks of the Shasta area, and restore order among the Sunday gamblers! Despite widespread discouragement over fires, the townfolk here, Weaverville, and beyond were so gobstruck to see a monk in their town that they enthusiastically provided the resources to build a church for the Padre! Though Father Schwenninger deserves most of the credit for pioneering a spiritual movement in this rough area, Father Rinaldi has left behind the only remaining physical relic of this movement! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: NW corner of intersection of Red Bluff Rd and Crocker Alley Shasta, CA 96087 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~550mi (886km) — 9.2hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |