St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, Historical chapel in Ojai, California
St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel is a historic site in Ojai, California, built in Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial styles with arches and traditional religious design throughout. The building now functions as a museum and research library open to visitors during regular hours.
The chapel was designed in 1918 by architects Richard Requa and Frank Mead to replace a wooden church destroyed by fire. It gained recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 after the City of Ojai purchased it for preservation.
The building now houses the Ojai Valley Museum with collections of pioneer items, Chumash baskets, and regional photographs on display. Visitors can see how local history comes alive through these objects.
The museum and research library are accessible during regular business hours without requiring advance reservations. It is helpful to check the current hours beforehand, as they may vary seasonally.
The building was originally a Catholic chapel before being purchased by the city and converted into a public museum. This transformation shows how communities can repurpose historic structures for contemporary use.
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