History of Saint Dominic's in Benicia

By Fr. Peter Rogers

By the time Dominican Fr. Alemany and Fr. Vilarrasa arrived in Monterey, California in 1850, they had already spent several years in Ohio. Being called back to Rome for the General Chapter (meeting) of the Order, Fr. Alemany was informed that he had been appointed to be Bishop of Monterey and was consecrated Bishop in Rome in 1850. Fr. Vilarrasa established the first novitiate there with six novices, all from Spain. Among them was Vincent Vinyes, who later became Superior of the Congregation in Benicia, upon the death of Fr. Vilarrasa on March 17, 1888.

Benicia had only been established for seven years when Fr. Vilarrasa moved his Dominican community from Monterey to the new State Capitol of Benicia on March 16, 1854 (Benicia was the California State Capitol from February 11, 1853 - February 26, 1854). The next day, St. Patrick's Feast day, Fr. Vilarrasa sang the first solemn High Mass at the new St. Dominic's Church, not yet fully completed, on the corner of 4th East and J streets. As Benicia grew in commerce and in population, the parish congregation outgrew the old church and a new church designed by Fr. Raymond John, O.P., was built at the other end of the block from the old church. Photos of the old church show that many furnishings, including the lectern, baptismal font, and some pews were moved from the old church to the new building. Fr. Newel, Pastor of St. Dominic's, said the first Mass in the new (and current) church on March 17, 1890.

St. Dominic's became the studentate and novitiate, containing the Vilarrasa library of 3000 volumes. However, the studentate was later moved to St. Albert's Priory in 1932 and the novitiate to Ross in 1934. During WWII, the Dominicans offered the use of the old monastery for use as the Benicia Emergency Hospital. In 1956, the current rectory was completed and the old monastery buildings were torn down to make way for a new elementary school, completed in 1961. In 1972 the current church received a face-lift, retrofitting, and automation for the old bell in the tower. In 1995, the "mall" at the entrance to the church and a new social hall were completed, giving St. Dominic's the look it has today.

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Dominican Western Province