Chapel of San Ramon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chapel of San Ramon |
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| Location | Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County |
| Official name: Chapel of San Ramon | |
| Designated | January 13, 1975 |
| Reference no. | 877 |
The Chapel of San Ramon is a special building with a cemetery next to it. It's also known as the Benjamin Foxen Memorial Chapel or the Sisquoc Chapel. You can find it in Santa Maria, California, in the United States.
This chapel is so important that it's on the list of California Historical Landmarks. It was even the very first historic place recognized by Santa Barbara County! The chapel is a great example of how building styles changed over time. It shows how buildings changed from the old missions to the wooden churches built by American settlers. It was also one of the first Catholic churches in the Santa Maria Valley.
Contents
The Chapel's History
Building the Chapel
In 1872, Frederick and Ramona Foxen Wickenden bought the land where the chapel now stands. They generously gave some of their land for the chapel and a cemetery. Frederick Wickenden sold 5,000 sheep to buy special redwood lumber for the chapel. He, his brother-in-law Thomas Foxen, and Chris Clausen built the chapel in 1875.
Early Years and Dedication
The first person buried in the cemetery was Benjamin Foxen in 1876. He was Ramona Wickenden's and Thomas Foxen's father. In 1879, the chapel was officially dedicated by Francisco Mora y Borrell. It was named in honor of Saint Ramon.
In 1908, the chapel became part of the Parish of Saint Mary. Regular church services stopped that year. After that, the chapel was only used for special events. In 1936, the chapel got a new roof and a fresh coat of paint. R.E. Easton held a special ceremony to rededicate the building.
Later Recognition and Renovations
In 1950, a group called the Native Daughters of the Golden West declared the chapel their own historic landmark. They called it the "Benjamin Foxen Memorial Chapel."
From 1958 to 1959, Winston Wickenden renovated the chapel. He replaced the original wooden foundation with strong concrete. In 1966, it became the first historic landmark officially listed by Santa Barbara County.
Modern Times
Protecting the Chapel
Over time, the chapel started to have problems. It suffered from frequent vandalism, which means people damaged it on purpose. It also had some structural issues. In 1972, a group called the San Ramon Preservation group was formed. Their goal was to help protect the property from more damage.
In January 1975, the chapel was officially added to the California Historical Landmarks list. A special dedication ceremony was held in August. A mass was led by Father Bertin Foxen, who was Benjamin Foxen's great-grandson.
Ongoing Care and Improvements
In December of that year, a gate was put up at the entrance to the chapel grounds. It was dedicated as the John W. Woolsey Memorial Gate. The San Ramon Chapel Preservation Committee (SRCPC) became a non-profit organization in 1976. This group is in charge of maintaining the property and the building. Weekly mass services started again in November. In 1978, the chapel received a new roof and new glass windows.
A new foundation was installed in 1983, and other renovations took place. These improvements cost a total of $12,154. In 1985, the chapel got its first electric heater. Stations of the Cross were installed on the site by Drew Crosby in 1986.
The next year, the SRCPC offered to give the property to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. However, they declined the offer, so the SRCPC continued to take care of the property. The first water well was installed in 1988. As of 1999, renovations to the chapel were still continuing.
See also
