Church of Santa Maria

40 Santa Maria Way
Orinda

The original Santa Maria Church was a small wooden Victorian chapel built by the De Laveaga family. It was donated to the community and was dedicated in September 1896 by Patrick Riordan Archbishop of San Francisco.  Santa Maria Parish which was established in 1947 continued to use the tiny chapel.

By 1954, the growing population of Orinda required a larger church.  The present structure was built on land purchased for the church and school on Santa Maria Way.  The church building and the rectory were designed by architect Martin J. Rist of San Francisco and built by Lecich Manufacturing Company.  The first mass was said on Christmas Eve 1954.

The beautiful stained glass windows were created by Carl Huneke, Century Stained Glass Studio, San Francisco.  They were installed at the time the church was built.

In 1960, the convent and school were complete.  They were designed by Santa Maria parishioner, architect James H. Anderson of Orinda.  Carl Huneke also created and installed the stained glass windows for the convent.  The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet administered the school.

The school closed in 1984, and is leased to a private Montessori school.  The convent is the residence for the Qui Nhon Missionary Sisters of the Holy Cross.  The public areas of the convent are now the Harrington Center, a community center for the parish.