St. James Historic Red Church Sonora Tuolumne
Gold Rush California Anglican Episcopal

St. James Anglican Church, also known as the Red Church, was built 1860 in Sonora California during the post-Gold Rush era. Its eight-sided steeple is an example of the Norwegian architectural style. Rev. John Gassman, a Norwegian native, helped design the building and was the first pastor. The red painted board and batten exterior walls are made from California redwood. In 1868 a part of the church had to be rebuilt after a fire destroyed the steeple and the west side of the building.

The church was consecrated in 1870 by the Rt, Rev. William Ingraham Kip, first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California. Reportedly the seventh Episcopal parish as well as the oldest wood frame Episcopal church building in California, it has been designated California Historical Landmark No. 139.

In December 2007, St. James Episcopal Church became St. James Anglican Church and is part of The Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin in the Province of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).

This is a new site - more will be added to this history page in the future. If you would like to help with the research and historic content of this site, your efforts would be appreciated. Please contact Mike Clay (209) 214-9615.