St Andrews-in-the-Redwoods Episcopal Church

Serving the Russian River Community

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About St Andrews

Saint Andrew's Mission is a parochial Mission of the Church of the Incarnation in Santa Rosa and is dedicated to serving all the people and the communities of the lower Russian River areas from Forestville to Jenner.

In May of 1986 the Rev. Dr. Dominic Sarubbi, rector of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in Sebastopol, California, established an Episcopal Mission in the chapel of the Redwood Funeral Home in Guerneville, California. Services were held at 5 PM on Saturdays.

In the latter part of 1989 the Mission moved to the Guerneville Community Church and established a regular schedule of services: Holy Eucharist every other week alternating with Evening Prayer.

Saint Andrew's Mission

In 1992, through a very generous gift from the Opal Keesee Memorial Fund, the mission was able to move to the Monte Rio Community Church.

In May of 1994 the Mission separated from St. Stephen's Church in Sebastopol and became a Parochial Mission of the Church of the Incarnation in Santa Rosa and in 1995 selected Saint Andrew as its patron saint and adopted the name "Saint Andrew's Episcopal Mission in the Redwoods."

Church of the Incarnation

Because of the Mission's expanding outreach into the River Communities, it was decided in 2001 to again change the missions name to reflect it's service to the River Communities. It was changed to "Saint Andrews-in-the-Redwoods Episcopal Church Serving the Russian River Community."

Weekly Mission attendance has grown from 4 or 5 in 1986 to 25 - 30 in 2002.

More about Saint Andrews

The Mission worship services are traditional Episcopal services. The people are warm and friendly and represent all of the diversity of the Russian River communities. Services are at 10 AM on Sunday morning and people attend in casual dress; and if camping or visiting, they are welcome to come as they are. Those who would like to visit the Mission on a day trip or an extended vacation will find that after church there are a number of things to do.

The is an excellent beach on the Russian River a block and a half away from the Mission, also a boat launching ramp. Across the street from the Mission, there is a motel, a gift shop and nursery, and a deli. Within two blocks there is a movie theatre and a family restaurant.

There is an outstanding golf course and restaurant less than a mile east of the Mission, and less than 8 miles to the south is Occidental with its famous restaurants. To the west some 3 miles is Duncans Mills with a wonderful full-service campground on the Russian River, two restaurants, a number of gift shops, and bed and breakfast facilities. From Duncans Mills to the ocean is another 3 miles and south to Bodega Bay, or north to Jenner and the mouth of the Russian River, lots of picnic places and wonderful beaches.

Back to the Mission and heading east there is Guerneville with all of its wonderful shops and eating spots, lodging from motels to bed and breakfast inns, beaches on the Russian River, amusement park, Armstrong Woods Park with its groves of magnificent virgin redwood trees. Just before Guerneville coming from Santa Rosa is Korbel Winery, a great place to visit and to picnic.

We extend an invitation to everyone to visit the Mission on Sunday at 10 AM and then enjoy a wonderful afternoon in the Russian River area; and if you are already visiting the area, or planning to, please include the Mission as your place of worship.