St. Boniface Catholic Church, Anaheim

Saint Boniface Catholic Church is the oldest continuously operating Catholic parish in Orange County. Established in 1860 by German settlers and named after Saint Boniface, the Apostle of Germany, the parish has played a central role in the spiritual life of Anaheim for over 160 years.

Throughout its long history, the parish has occupied four different church buildings. The first two structures, including a modest clapboard building erected in just three weeks in 1870 and replaced in 1879, stood on land donated by the Anaheim Union Water Company. By 1903, the congregation moved into a more imposing Gothic Revival-style church on West Center Street (now Lincoln Blvd.), designed by George Riccard and constructed by C.H. Smith of Fullerton. This third church featured a 100-foot-long nave and an 87-foot-tall tower.

The current church, dedicated in 1960, reflects modern architectural design and serves as a prominent landmark in Anaheim. A large statue of Saint Boniface welcomes visitors at the entrance, while both the main building and the adjacent tower are topped with crosses. The stained glass windows inside are particularly striking, illustrating scenes from the Bible and the sacraments in vivid color.

Today, Saint Boniface Catholic Church remains an active and vibrant parish, offering Masses in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese to serve its diverse community. It also provides sacraments and faith formation programs for children and adults, continuing its mission as a spiritual home for generations of worshippers in Anaheim.