St. Rose of Lima Mission, Roman Catholic Church

St. Rose of Lima is a stone church in Silver Lake built with colored stone blocks that reflect traditional Catholic design principles. The structure displays solid construction work with careful attention to architectural proportions and materials from the late 1800s.

The church began in the 1850s as a modest wooden mission chapel in the area. The current stone structure was completed between 1877 and 1879 under the direction of Father Denis D. Leyden.

The church honors a South American saint known for her charitable works and spiritual devotion. This naming reflects the values the community sought to embody.

The church sits along Highway 32 and is managed by the Vincentians as part of a larger parish community. Since it functions as an active church, visitors should check ahead before arriving to ensure access during their visit.

Students and brothers from a nearby religious school participated in construction by hand-making many of the wooden shingles needed for the roof. This community effort shows how invested the local faithful were in building this place of worship.

Inception: 1879

Website: http://svdepaul.org/St.-Rose-of-Lima/St.-Rose-of-Lima-Home

GPS coordinates: 37.68361,-89.99000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:12