Our History

150

Years of Faith in the Valley

Our history

One Church. Two Locations. 150 Years of Faith in the Valley

The Valley Church brings together two of Napa Valley’s most storied congregations under one name and one mission. Our Yountville location, established in 1874 and lovingly restored in 2000, is recognized as the oldest church in the valley. Our St. Helena home, a building whose roots reach back to a pioneer land grant, reopens its doors in 2026 after a full restoration. Two historic buildings, carefully renewed. One church family, still growing.

Yountville

Established in 1874 and lovingly restored in 2000. The oldest church in the valley.

St. Helena

Roots in a pioneer land grant. Reopening fully restored in 2026.

Yountville Established
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The oldest church in the Napa Valley.

A Home Becomes a Church
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The Chiles Home is gifted to the church.

Yountville Restored
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The historic sanctuary lovingly renewed.

St. Helena Reopens
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Doors open again after full restoration.

Yountville Community Church

Where It All Began: 1874

Yountville Community Church has been making disciples of Jesus Christ for over 150 years. Established in 1874 and recognized as the oldest church in Napa Valley.

It has stood as a spiritual cornerstone through every season of valley life: gold rushes and grape harvests, wars and revivals, generations of families baptized, married, and sent out from its pews.

Restored in 2000 and thriving today, this historic sanctuary remains what it has always been: a vibrant house of worship at the heart of the community.

Oldest Church in Napa Valley

St. Helena Community Church

From Pioneer Land Grant to Leading People to Jesus

The story of our St. Helena building spans more than 175 years of Napa Valley history, and it begins with one of the valley’s founding pioneers.

1343 Spring Street, since 1874

Joseph Ballinger Chiles, founder of the Chiles Grist Mill and namesake of Chiles Valley, received the last of Napa Valley's nine land grants directly from General Vallejo. Known as Rancho Catacula, the grant covered most of present-day Chiles Valley, northeast of Pritchard Hill.

In 1874, Chiles built his "in town" residence at 1343 Spring Street so his children could attend school in St. Helena. It is the very building where we worship today.

In 1949, in a generous act reflecting the Chiles family's community spirit, the home was given to the Baptist Church, opening as First Baptist Church of Saint Helena. 

Today, renewed as St. Helena Community Church, it carries a wider vision: a spiritual home open to all who wish to be part of this community. As we complete its restoration, we build upon and honor the legacy Joseph Chiles left behind.

Timeline

175 Years on Spring street

1844

The Land Grant

Joseph Chiles receives the Rancho Catacula land grant from the Mexican government.

1874–75

The Spring Street Home

Chiles builds his in-town residence so his children can attend school.

1949

A Gift to the Church

The home is given to First Baptist Church, which remodels it and opens as First Baptist Church of Saint Helena.

2026

Restored & Renewed

Reborn as St. Helena Community Church, the restored building reopens its doors this summer.

Be Part of the next Chapter

Two historic buildings, carefully renewed. One church family, still growing.