Old St. Raymond’s Church 🇺🇸

Step back into Northern California history at Old St. Raymond's Church in Dublin, California. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006, this 1859 structure stands as the oldest extant Catholic church in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Dedicated in 1860, the church was built by Irish immigrants Michael Murray and Jeremiah Fallon, who departed Ireland before the Great Famine and traveled west with early wagon trains. When you visit, you will encounter a simple Gothic Revival design featuring a New England–style white clapboard exterior, nicked wooden benches, wide-plank redwood floors, and a belfry originally added in 1880. The building was constructed using wood hauled by oxen from the Oakland hills and milled right in Dublin.

Located on land that is also home to the historic Old Murray Schoolhouse and the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery—where pioneer Tom Donlon became the first formal burial in 1859—the site offers a fascinating window into early settler life. Preserved and restored over the decades, the church was acquired by the City of Dublin in 1993 to form the Dublin Heritage Center. Its general appearance remains unchanged since 1859, making it a wonderful historic stop.

What to see at Old St. Raymond's Church

• Oldest extant Catholic church in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, built in 1859
• Simple Gothic Revival design with New England–style white clapboard and wide-plank redwood floors
• Located alongside the historic Old Murray Schoolhouse and Dublin Pioneer Cemetery
• Built by Irish immigrant families who traveled west with early wagon trains

Visiting tips

Take time to explore the adjacent Dublin Pioneer Cemetery and Old Murray Schoolhouse while visiting the church grounds at the Dublin Heritage Center.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Old St. Raymond's Church is easy to reach on Dublin’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Dublin travel guide.