Located in in Virginia City and recognized as Nevada's oldest Catholic Church, St. Mary's in the Mountains was originally built of wood by Father Hugh Gallagher in 1860 to serve the Comstock Lode's hard-working Irish-Catholic miners. Heavy winds destroyed the building during its first winter, and the place of worship was reconstructed of bricks by Father Patrick Manogue in 1868. Eight years later, however, the new structure burned to the ground in the "Great Fire" of October 1875.
The St. Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church that stands in Virginia City today dates from 1876 and contains in its belfry a 2,264-pound bell with a 100-pound clapper that survived the fire. In 2009, a major restoration effort returned the choir loft, staircases, wooden arches, and pews made of California redwood to their original state. A gift shop, museum, and wine cellar were added, too.
St. Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church is located at the corner of Taylor and E Street, Virginia City, Nevada 89440. It is open to the public daily from 10am to 5pm throughout the year, with Saturday Vigil Mass conducted at 4pm and Sunday Mountain Choir Mass at 11:30am. There is no charge for admission, but donations are always appreciated.
