Look, I’m not saying this church is the Vatican. It’s not. It’s a slightly lopsided, fire-rebuilt, nun-ghost-having, garlic-blessing old building in a town that smells like a pasta chef’s dream. But that’s exactly why you should go. It’s unpolished, funny, and absolutely sincere. The parishioners will probably invite you to their annual potluck. Don’t be surprised if the main dish is garlic chicken, and the dessert is garlic ice cream.
So next time you’re in Gilroy, skip the garlic fries for an hour. Walk into St. Mary’s. Sit in a pew. Listen for ghost footsteps. Admire the crooked window. And if you feel a breeze, remember: it might be a nun’s sigh—or just the air conditioner from 1972. Either way, it’s one of the most entertaining 45 minutes you’ll ever spend in a house of worship.
Just don’t ask the priest about the tunnel. He’ll change the subject to garlic.