History

St. John's Episcopal Church is the spiritual descendent of the San Anselmo Chapel founded in 1881. The chapel served Ross Valley families and summer residents from San Francisco who wanted to worship in the Protestant tradition. Although ecumenical in nature, clergy for the chapel were appointed by the Episcopal Diocese of California. The chapel originally was located not far from St. John's present site.

In 1908, St. John's was formed when the San Anselmo Chapel was was incorporated as a parish church of the Episcopal Diocese of California.

In 1910, the cornerstone of St. John's Church was laid. Its inscription, "A house of prayer for all people," is as strong a calling to this parish today as it was nearly a century ago.

Today, we are one of the larger parishes of the Diocese of California. This diocese comprises most Bay Area counties, 27,000 members and 81 congregations.

In Fall, 2006, St. John's completed a major renovation of our administrative wing and Sunday School facilities. The renovations include the construction of a new youth and education center built in honor of the Rev. Bart Sargeant, who served as rector from 1978 to 2004.

San Anselmo Chapel - 1881


St. John's Church - 1910


Rev. Bart Sargeant
Rector 1978 to 2004

St. John's Ross
14 Lagunitas Ave. (at Shady Lane)  |  P.O. Box 217  |  Ross, CA 94957  |  (415) 456-1102     |     contact us