Nestled below Skyline Ridge, overlooking the Santa Clara Valley, Maryknoll began as a residential seminary of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America in 1926. Seminarians were once trained here to go to China and abroad. The architecture takes its cue from the Maryknoll headquarters in Ossining, New York, which first sent missionaries to serve in China in 1918. Today, the Los Altos site provides a retirement home for about 65 missionaries. Mass is said daily at 8am, and is open to neighbors and other members of the public. Although Maryknoll is private property, the public is also welcome to visit the grounds and chapel during the day.