Our Lady of the Wayside

A history by two parishioners begins with gunfire. Father George Lacombe, who started saying Mass in a converted dance hall here in 1911, walked over one Sunday to the Family Farm next door and found members of the San Francisco men's club shooting clay targets. He asked them to shoot around his Mass. They asked him to dinner, and when he meant to close the chapel for winter, a judge in the club proposed that its Catholics and Protestants pass the hat and its Jewish members double the collection. Two architects then threw dice for the commission.

What the plaque says

Our Lady of the Wayside Built in 1912 this country church was the first executed design of noted architect, Timothy L. Pflueger, who had just begun work for James Miller. An awareness of the Spanish California missions inspired the style, which contrasts with the large commercial buildings and art deco theaters for which Pflueger later became notable. Construction of this Catholic church was initiated by a non-denominational club, The Family. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 909 Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Town of Portola Valley, September 4, 1977.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Town of Searsville — 1.4 mi
• First Saw Mill — 1.9 mi
• Casa de Tableta — 2.2 mi
• Woodside Store — 4.0 mi