San Francisco’s Top 10 : Churches

  1. Grace Cathedral

    San Francisco’s own Notre Dame combines Italian Renaissance with a lot of American originality .




    Grace Cathedral

  2. Mission Dolores

    Photos
    and a diorama offer a stirring impression of what life was like for the
    Native Americans who built this Spanish mission in the 18th century .

  3. Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption

    The
    exterior of this 1971 building has been compared to a giant washing
    machine; inside is equally odd, with stained-glass strips, evoking the
    four elements, and a sculpture of aluminium rods.

    • 1111 Gough St

    • 415 567 2020

    • Services: 6:45am, 8am, 12:10pm Mon–Sat; 7:30am, 9am, 11am Sun

    • Dis. access

    • Free




    Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption

  4. Glide Memorial United Methodist Church

    This
    church has a credo of “the human condition first, not the Bible.”
    Services can draw up to 1,500 celebrants, with a gospel choir and jazz
    band. This is also one of the religious institutions where same-sex
    couples can exchange vows of matrimony.

    • 330 Ellis St

    • 415 674 6000

    • Services: 9am & 11am Sun

    • Free

  5. St. John Coltrane’s African Orthodox Church

    “My
    music is the spiritual expression of what I am – my faith, my
    knowledge, my being.” So said famous jazz musician, St. John Coltrane.
    Services consist of a performance of Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme,” by the
    band Ohnedaruth and the Sisters of Compassion choir.

    St Paul’s Lutheran Church

    • 1286 Fillmore St

    • 415 673 7144

    • Services: 11:45am Sun

    • Free




    St. John Coltrane’s African Orthodox Church

  6. First Unitarian Universalist Church

    Since
    1850, this church has been a progressive voice in the city. Welcoming
    all faiths and creeds, this congregation is not bound by dogma, but by
    shared values.

    • 1187 Franklin St

    • 415 776 4580

    • Services: 11am Sun

    • Free


    • www.uusf.org

  7. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

    This 1894 pink-brick church is a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles. After the 1906 earthquake, it served as a first-aid station and shelter.

  8. St. Patrick’s Cathedral

    Constructed in 1872, this Gothic Revival cathedral has an impressive marble and stained-glass interior.

    • 756 Mission St

    • 415 421 3730

    • Services: 7am, 8am, 12:10pm, 5:15pm Mon–Sat; 7:30am, 9am, 10:30am, 12:15pm, 5:15pm Sun

    • Free


    • www.st-patrick.org

  9. Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi

    Declared
    a State Historic Landmark, the Gothic Revival St. Francis of Assisi
    Church was established on June 17, 1849, as the first parish church in
    California. The interior is adorned with 11 larger-than-life murals,
    depicting the works of San Francisco’s patron saint.

    • 610 Vallejo St at Columbus

    • 415 983 0405

    • Services: 12:15pm Sun–Fri

    • Free


    • www.shrinesf.org

  10. Sts. Peter & Paul Church

    North
    Beach’s landmark “Italian Church” was once dubbed the “Marzipan Church”
    for the frothy stucco decoration on its soaring pinnacles. Inside,
    there is a sculpted reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper .




    Sts. Peter & Paul Church


Top 10 Other Places of Worship

  1. Kong Chow Temple

    The oldest of Chinatown’s temples is dedicated to Kuan Di, a male deity.

  2. Tin How Temple

    The Queen of Heaven rules this sanctuary and makes sure devotees travel safely by water, among other things .

  3. Temple Sherith Israel

    Founded in 1849 by Jewish pioneers, the present domed synagogue dates from 1904.

    • 2266 California St

    • Services: 6pm Fri, 10:30am Sat

    • Free

  4. Vedanta Temple

    This was the first Hindu Temple (1905) in the western US.

    • 2963 Webster St

    • Free

  5. Zen Center

    Home to the city’s Zen practitioners. Beginners are welcome.

    • 300 Page St

  6. Crystal Way

    Healing through crystals, light, sound, and positive thinking are explored here.

    • 2335 Market St

  7. Botanica Yoruba

    All the Santeria paraphernalia you’ll need .

  8. Psychic Eye Book Shop

    A panoply of exotic gods and goddesses.

    • 301 Fell St

  9. The Love of Ganesha

    Hindu clothing, arts, and crafts.

    • 1601A Page St

  10. Open Secret

    The backroom of this New Age venue is like a temple to all the world’s deities.

    • 923 C St, San Rafael

    • Hwy 1