About Virginia City, Nevada:
Virginia City (population 720 as of 2025) is southeast of Reno and known for its Victorian buildings built during a 19th-century mining boom resulting from the “Comstock Lode” silver ore discovery, which shaped the town into a bustling, rough-and-tumble mining center that overflowed with unimaginable wealth and prosperity, rocketing Nevada Territory into statehood and earning Nevada our famous nickname: the Silver State. Virginia City remains one of Nevada’s most popular and historic destinations.
About Saint Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church in Virginia City, Nevada:
Many of the miners who worked here were Irish and predominantly Catholic, so naturally Saint Mary in the Mountains was built to serve the Catholics in the area. It is known for being the state’s oldest active Catholic church and a significant part of the town’s history.
The original building was built in 1860…… second church replaced it…..and then the third church (built in 1870 to accommodate the influx of Irish miners), was destroyed by the Great Fire of October 26, 1875: An oil lamp was knocked over in a boarding house, starting the fire, then strong winds (the “Washoe Zephyr”) caused the loss of over 2,000 structures, basically destroying the town, including the courthouse where, of course, records were kept.
The church was rebuilt….this time using brick… and dedicated in 1877, incorporating elements like redwood columns and gothic rafters.
In 1982, the church acquired a third-hand, 1-manual and pedal, 6-rank, c. 1898 William Schuelke pipe organ, which was relocated through the Organ Clearing House and installed by the local organ firm, the Miller Organ Company. It was installed on the front left side of the nave. A matching case was built on the front right side of the nave for the chimes, which were playable from their own miniature keyboard. The Schuelke was originally built for Gjerpens Lutheran Church in Valders, Wisconsin, and had been relocated to a private residence in Green Bay before finding a home at St. Mary’s.
Today, the church is an active parish with a museum and gift shop.
For train enthusiasts, The Virginia & Truckee is by far the most famous of all American short lines. In its heyday, as many as 45 trains per day arrived and departed Virginia City. U.S. presidents and dignitaries from the world over rode the ornate V&T trains. Completed in 1869, the V&T R.R. hauled millions of dollars in gold and silver ore from the mines of Virginia City. Today, 80 years after the last train left the Comstock, you can once again ride over this historic railroad.
Today, the Virginia & Truckee Railroad operates 100 year old steam engines and heritage diesel locomotives departing from the original 1870 depot in Virginia City at 166 F Street. The conductor-narrated trains take ticketed passengers through some of the most famous of the bonanza Comstock mines and ruins. You may even see wild horses run alongside the tracks. And, they have a special version of their trains during the Christmas season (the secular one, that is, not the Catholic season of Christmas).
Traveling to Saint Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church in Virginia City, Nevada:
Virginia City is 26 miles southeast of Reno, the nearest major airport.
Physical address: 111 S E Street, Virginia City, NV 89440
Mailing address: P.O. Box 510, Virginia City, NV 89440
Phone: +1 (775) 847-9099
email: office@stmarysvc.org