St. Mary’s Chapel
P
erhaps, driving along Highway 395 between Reno and Susanville, you noticed a tiny white chapel by the side of the road as you pass through Doyle. This little chapel, built in 1900 and only used for a short time, was originally known as St. Mary’s Chapel. Northern Electric Railroad President Henry A. Butters built it in 1900 on the Constantia Ranch. A traveling priest, Father Horga, performed mass at the chapel every few months. The chapel wasn’t used long. In the 1920s it ceased hosting mass and sat empty for many years on the ranch. The mansion Butters built burned down sometime in the 1960s, according to a woman who grew up in Doyle, “after a group of teens had a party there.” Eventually, the ranch became a place to pick mint and watercress growing wild in the creek and for local children to play. The former Doyle resident said,
“The church was a special place even as it sat empty and forlorn at Constantia.” And there St. Mary’s Chapel sat until sometime in the 1990s, when the Doyle Historical Society was formed, and the little church was moved to its current location on Highway 395. Today, Lonney and Pat Sharp act as caretakers. They have replaced two windows with cut glass, one of them bulletproof. Lonney says they hope to continue the restoration process, although nearly everyone who began the project has died. ❖
The Doyle Historical Society plans to continue restoration of St. Mary’s Chapel. To tour, volunteer or donate to the restoration, call (530) 827-2271.
Travelers between Reno and Susanville have certainly passed this lonely little church by the side of Highway 395. Photos by Jordan Clary
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