The story of St. Sebastian's parish is the story of the love between a beautiful small town and her parish Church.  That love has been burning now for over 100 years.

The story begins in 1890 and in the strangest of places - the Odd Fellows Hall on North Main Street in Sebastopol.  Holy Mass was offered here while Sebastopol was only a mission of Tomales.  Eight years later, however, through the persistence of the townspeople, property for a permanent plant was purchased from a Protestant couple for the sum of $500.
 

Under the leadership of the first pastor, Fr. Michael Mackey, the eager townspeople donated most of the labor for the construction of their first church building located on Sebastopol Avenue.  The cornerstone was laid in October of 1898, and the beautiful redwood church was dedicated on April 1, 1899.  The rectory was built a year later.

The tremendous spirit of generosity which built that first church has never dimmed over the past 100 years. In 1931 a parish hall was built adjoining the redwood church with donated labor and material; and 42 years later, in 1973, that same spirit added a new kitchen to the parish hall.

Two factors; more people and more automobiles, decided the site and building of our present parish church.  The old redwood church had an inadequate seating capacity for the growing community; and the area surrounding the old church was too small for the rapidly growing number of cars.  Consequently, despite the objection of some that the site was too far out of town, the present church was constructed there in 1957.  A church school was added in 1960, where Catholic Education classes are held today. 

Our present beautiful parish plant is a tribute to the zeal and ability of Fr. William Tierney who was pastor at the time of its construction and also to the hard-working committee of parishioners that spearheaded the fund drive that made all these good things initially possible.

One final touch in the ongoing story of St. Sebastian's was added in 1971, in an inspiring statue and grotto of "Our Lady of the Family."  Certainly a beautiful tribute to the Mother of our Lord and to the families of Sebastopol whose love and generosity for all these years has made St. Sebastian's a living and growing community of people in communion with Rome. 
 

New!  In 2009, Our Lady of Guadalupe Grotto was added.  The tiles were designed, hand-made, and imported from Italy, and then assembled here at the church.  Msgr. Hynes created the plans for our gorgeous grotto and with funding provided by our parishioners, it became a reality.

On August 30, 2010, Monsignor William Hynes celebrated his last Holy Mass as Pastor of St Sebastian’s Church.   Thank you for 21 years of service to our parish.  Monsignor lives in residence and will continue to be a part of our parish community.  Click here to see Msgr. Hynes' Biography.

On November 27, 2011, Fr. Raul Lemus was installed the NEW Pastor of our Parish. Click here to see Fr. Raul's Biography.  He comes with a sense tradition and respect for Catholic heritage in our parish and in our faith which was founded on the Rock, St. Peter.