Chapel of San Ramon

The Chapel of San Ramon is a place of worship in Santa Maria distinguished by a white wooden structure with two steeples and crosses positioned along Foxen Canyon Road. The building features a simple yet recognizable design that blends into the rural landscape of the region.

Frederick and Ramona Foxen Wickenden built the chapel in 1875, marking a shift in local architecture away from older mission structures. The construction symbolized the growing influence of American settlers on the religious infrastructure of the Santa Maria Valley.

The chapel honors San Ramon, a saint revered in the local community, and its white wooden structure with two steeples serves as a recognizable landmark along Foxen Canyon Road. The building reflects how early settlers expressed their faith through new architectural forms that departed from older mission traditions.

The chapel is accessed via Foxen Canyon Road in Santa Maria, where adequate parking space is available. Services are held weekly through St. Louis de Montfort Church, so visitors should check opening times beforehand if planning a visit outside of service hours.

Frederick Wickenden sold 5,000 sheep to finance the redwood materials required to build this chapel. This unusual funding method shows the resource scarcity and commitment early settlers had to establishing their places of worship.

Location: Santa Barbara County

GPS coordinates: 34.84780,-120.24100

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:00