Family history

Back in 1853 - before my time - General Mariano Vallejo, who we usually think of as the founder of the City of Sonoma, invited the Episcopal Church to the community.  He wanted a school developed by the church to educate his many daughters.  (He had 16 children, although only ten lived to adulthood.)

The Franciscans had been here for some time, but they only educated boys.  I've always wondered how Vallejo met up with Episcopalians in the first place, how that thinking got set in motion.  At any rate, St. Mary's School for Girls, was the first girls' school in California.  Sadly, the old building is now a bar on Sonoma Plaza.

Today Trinity Episcopal Church celebrated its 50th year at its present location.  I arrived in 1995 so I have memories going back about 17 years.

This morning's service was packed, followed by a catered luncheon (I was too ill to stay), followed by music and memories.  Weather was perfect and morale was high as one more day was chronicled for the history books.  The General would have been proud.