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.

In 1990 church officials considered demolishing the chapel and selling the land; city officials and preservationists instead raised funds, and Ojai bought the chapel and parish hall for $385,000 in 1993. The building joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.