Saint Catherine of Siena Church

606 Mellus Street
Martinez

The first mass in Martinez was said in 1850 by a Dominican priest who came by boat from Benicia.  Soon after, Martinez became a mission of Benicia, and a little wooden church was built in 1858.  That structure was destroyed by a storm in 1866.

John Tormey, Dr. Samuel J. Tennent, Doña Rafaela Martinez Tennent, Benedict Merle, and Doña Susana Martinez de Merle donated the present parish land in 1868.  A church built on that land was dedicated in 1869.

The Parish of St. Catherine of Siena was established in 1873.

The church was extensively remodeled and expanded in 1890 and stood until 1940.  The present structure was designed by architect Arnold Constable of San Francisco, and was built by Larson and Larson, general contractors.  It was dedicated May 30, 1940 by John Joseph Mitty, Archbishop of San Francisco.

Many artists have contributed to the rich diversity of stained glass in the church.  Carl Huneke, Century Stained Glass Studio, San Francisco designed and installed the two windows in the sanctuary about 1957.  

John Hogan Studio, San Jose completed the choir window in 1960.  Sister Luciano Navarro Rodon of Barcelona designed the major windows in the nave, which were dedicated in 1977.  John Hogan Studio completed the vestibule, shrine and sacristy windows in 1977.  John Lukas, Church Art Glass, San Francisco designed the choir stairway window in 1982.