Stories from the past oftentimes focus on the scoundrels, but there were also individuals deserving of notice for their good deeds. One such person, Reverend Charles Caleb Peirce, was a 19th-century saint. 

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1825, Peirce exhibited a love of knowledge and books from a young age. He graduated from Woodward College, studied law, and was admitted to the bar at the age of 21. After practicing for a while, he realized the profession didn’t suit him and enrolled at the General Theological Seminary in New York. On July 1, 1860, he was ordained as a priest of the Episcopal faith at Trinity Church. The very next day, he boarded a boat headed for San Francisco and soon found a position at Grace Church.

As the priest of Grace Church, Peirce found that if he were to be deemed “a success in the ministry [he] must cultivate the rich, for money rules the world.” Peirce didn’t agree so much and resigned his post, then headed for Sacramento in search of a country parish. He arrived in Placerville on a Saturday afternoon and the following day conducted an Easter service at the County Building. He continued to hold services there each Sunday, and on July 20, 1861, the Episcopal Parish of Our Savior was organized. He remained the parish’s priest until his death.

Peirce conducted church services on alternate Sundays in Placerville, Coloma, Diamond Springs and El Dorado. The rest of his week was spent walking to outlying hamlets throughout the county. In each community he would perform a service, distribute books, and be provided with a meal and a place to sleep. His congregation numbered about 250 souls, but his parish included the entire county. 

He never accepted a salary from the church, believing that “the people whom he served would provide for him in health and sickness and in the hour of death.” The church paid his living expenses and for other personal requirements. Any money he received beyond this was used for charitable purposes—to purchase the books he distributed each week, or to provide gifts to children.

Pierce maintained an interest in education throughout his life. In 1863, he was elected as the city superintendent of schools and served in that position for most of his life. He was also an active member of the County Board of Education and wrote the exam questions in history, civil government and the literary arts for many years.  

In May of 1865, the Episcopal congregation purchased a lot on Coloma Street and work on a church building began. Peirce was so well loved by the community that when the church building fund was short $1,500, local saloonkeepers offered to raise the money. Within one afternoon, they had collected more than the required amount.

During his 42 years in El Dorado County, Peirce officiated at 40 cemeteries and performed 772 baptisms, 597 marriages and 1,385 funerals. When he died in March 1903, hundreds of people came into town to pay their respects. On the day of his funeral, the mayor of Placerville issued a proclamation calling on the schools and stores to close; even the saloons shut down for the day. He was laid to rest in Union Cemetery. In July of 1961, his grave was marked with a special ceremony during the centennial celebration of the Episcopal Church of Placerville.