Address: 416 Chestnut St, Chico, CA 95928

Website: https://www.sjbchico.org/

Overview
The neo-Romanesque church of Saint John the Baptist reflects the flexibility and devotion of the supportive community through various transitions in liturgical stylings since the cornerstone was laid in 1908. The church was built under the oversight of Father Michael Gualco with early conceptions of the church being made of basalt stone or Rocklin granite; however, possibly due to cost concerns, the church was reportedly the first in California to be made of reinforced concrete. The dedication by Bishop Thomas Grace took place on May 29, 1910. The finishing work of the structure was administered by Father Patrick Guerin who capably managed the financing of the large project which remains a historical landmark near the Chico State University campus. The church is now home to an active parish supporting six Sunday Masses and a wide range of outreach ministries.

Special things to see in the Church
• Vibrant stained glass windows surround the worship space depicting scenes of the Mysteries of the Rosary (Sorrowful, Joyful, and Glorious). The painted windows done in the Munich Style are believed to have been fashioned by an Italian designer.

• A lovely side-altar shrine encloses an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and statue of St. Juan Diego.

• The right side-altar is adorned with a beautiful mural of the Holy Family created by Evergreen Architectural Arts during the 2020 restoration which illustrates an important example to imitate for this family-oriented community.

• In the rear of the church is a statue of Our Lady of Fatima crafted in Portugal, the country of the apparitions of the Virgin in 1917.

• Images of the patron, St. John the Baptist, are featured in the statue on the façade and in the window of the Baptism of Jesus over the sanctuary.

Interesting Facts About the Church
The church has undergone at least two renovations. One in 1966 – 67 implemented physical modifications, which were commonplace at the time, related to the liturgical changes promulgated by Vatican II including the removal of the “high” altar at the rear of the sanctuary. The Baptism of Jesus window on the rear wall of the sanctuary was in disrepair and removed. A 2020 renovation restored the Baptism window with splendid restoration work completed by Needham Studios of Chico.