St. Teresa of Avila was built in 1860 on land donated by John O'Farrell, brother of Jasper O'Farrell for whom O'Farrell street in San Francisco is named. It was dedicated by Archbishop Alemany on June 2, 1862. In 1872, the building was sawed in half, the rear portion moved back and a new section placed in the center in order to accommodate a growing membership. The steeple, surrounded by a cross, was added. At the roadside entrance to the church property hangs the 125 year old cast iron bell that was presented to the church in1886 and later moved to the entrance location when a new frame was built to house the 850 pound bell.
In February, 1962, the diocese of Santa Rosa was established from portions of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Sacramento. In 1964, St. Philip the Apostle Parish was formed. The parish originally consisted of four churches but was later reduced to two: St Philip the Apostle and St. Teresa of Avila. The parish is administered from the parish office at St. Philip Church located in Occidental.