The Most Beautiful Catholic Churches in San Francisco
Discover some of the most beautiful Catholic Churches in San Francisco. Here we provide you with a list of the most breathtaking Catholic Churches in the City and a summary of what we loved about each of them.
Is San Francisco a Catholic city? Plagued by crime, drugs, high levels of homelessness, and extreme ideologies, one could reasonably say no. And yet, the former Spanish city named in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi retains a lesser-known charm: stemming from its rich Catholic heritage, she has some of the most beautiful Catholic Churches in the United States.
“Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” Romans 5: 12-21
Whether you are admiring the breathtaking gothic architecture of St. Dominic’s, meditating in front of the beautiful Marian statues at Star of the Sea, or just taking in the great frescoes of the National Shrine of St. Francis, the beauty of the Catholic Churches in this city will make you fall in love with San Francisco all over again.
San Francisco’s Most Beautiful Catholic Churches
The Mission San Francisco de Asís – Mission District
- Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Admission fee: $7/adult, $5 for students and pensioners
- https://www.missiondolores.org/old-mission
Original altar from the time of St. Junipero Serra
Built in 1791, it is the oldest building in San Francisco. It is the only intact Mission Chapel established by Saint Junipero Serra, out of the 21 missions he established. The simple adobe exterior contrasts with the exquisite interior. Most spectacular is the stunning altarpiece with several statues of the Saints, and the beautifully patterned ceiling painted by the Native Americans. As part of the tour, you will have access to the museum, cemetery, and garden. Many indigenous and first Californians and pioneers are buried there. There is also a prominent dedication to St. John Paul II at the Mission, from when he visited San Francisco back in 1987.
Built almost a century later, the gorgeous Mission Dolores Basilica is right next door and well worth visiting too. When we went, the Basilica seemed to be where Mass was about to be celebrated and there were a few people already there praying before Mass.
National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi – North Beach Neighborhood
- Open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- http://www.shrinesf.org/
The other church of St. Francis in the city of San Francisco. Today the shrine is fittingly in the possession of the Capuchin Order of Franciscan Friars. Dating back to 1860, this magnificent Norman Gothic church suffered serious damages after the 1906 earthquake, which led to some major renovations. Upon entering the church, you will first notice the beautiful architecture and the murals honoring the life of St. Francis. On either side of the main altar are side altars with first class relics of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi. Below the lovely stained glass windows are individual shrines and statues of saints from St. Joseph to St. Padre Pio (who was also a Capuchin).
One of the jewels of the Shrine is the presence of an exact replica (to scale) of the Porziuncola Chapel, which is a tiny church rebuilt by St. Francis outside of Assisi in Italy. That was the place from where the Franciscan movement started. This small chapel is right next to the main church at the street corner. We initially did not know that it existed there in San Francisco. We stumbled into it after visiting the Shrine by accident and we slipped in for a few minutes before it was closed by a Franciscian Friar who had just finished celebrating Mass there. It was such a great surprise and we highly recommend you visit the Shrine as well as the chapel.
St. Dominic Catholic Church – Lower Pacific Heights
- Open every day from 07:30 am to 9:00 pm
- https://stdominics.org/
This Catholic church, which of course is ran by the Dominicans, will make you awestruck the moment you enter. It is one of our absolute favorite churches to visit and everyone we take there has had the same reaction. Its towering edifice stands out in the Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. The current St. Dominic’s church was finished in 1928. The architect of this church also designed St. Albert’s Priory in Oakland, California, which is a beautiful House of Formation belonging to the Dominicans.
The incredible beauty of this Gothic church with its flying buttresses, magnificent high altar, and splendid stained-glass windows, will naturally make your eyes soar up and bring you back to medieval Europe. The church also has beautiful side altars with remarkable statues of Our Lady and other Dominican Saints. Wood carvings are seen throughout the church with scenes from the Bible. Everything is so well thought out and contributes to the magnificence of a building dedicated to God.
above the Choir Loft
entrance of the church
The Dominicans offer reverent daily Masses. Confessions are available on Saturdays and Sundays, and adoration is offered every Friday evenings. We’ve gone to adoration there a few times now and there is such a beautiful reverent and peaceful atmosphere that just resonates throughout that place of worship. Many people also come here to venerate Our Lord’s first cousin at the Shrine of St Jude, which is on the right side of the church when you enter.
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church – North Beach Neighborhood
- Open Monday through Friday from 07:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Saturday 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Sunday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
- https://salesiansspp.org/
This Italian-influenced church, run by the Salesians of St. John Bosco, feels right at home in “Little Italy”, the North Beach area of San Francisco. This church is located right across the street from the quaint Washington Park where many people gather to have picnics, listen to live music, or play with their dogs. It is hard to miss if you’re in the area. Its tall façade with a rose window and statues representing the four evangelists, flanked by two intricate bell towers, make you impatient to see the inside. The church naturally draws anyone that walks past it to a halt. Many stop and take a picture of it and we’ve even witnessed a few groups stop, admire the church and then decide to go in. This church is an example of what beauty can do in drawing people from all walks of life, not just Catholics, to want to come into it and check it out.
As you enter, you will notice the beautiful and intricate high altar with a large fresco of Our blessed Lord and the Holy Spirit above. There is a constant stream of tourists who come in to view the church but they are naturally quiet and respectful as such a space as that causes one to do. As you walk around, you can admire the large stained-glass windows and the Italian paintings and mosaics. There are beautiful statues of the Saints throughout. The most notable saint you will see at this church is St. John Bosco with statues and paintings dedicated to him throughout. There is also a very nice mosaic of St. John Bosco’s famous dream.
Star of the Sea – Richmond District
- Open most days from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm.
- On Sundays and Tuesdays, the church remains open until 8 pm.
- https://starparish.com/
This Church is a jewel. Its interior beauty is particularly remarkable. As you walk in, you will notice immediately that it is dedicated in a unique way to Our Lady with many statues of Mary from different apparitions from all over the world going down both sides of the nave. At each statue, there are votive candles as well as a little pamphlet with information about each Marian apparition. It is truly spectacular to see, all at once, the many beautiful faces of Mary and how she appeared in different countries to different people.
The frescoes of the Joyful mysteries above the altar and of Our Lady as the Star of the Sea on the ceiling are especially charming. You really can see the honor and devotion given to Our Lady at this church.
This is the only church in the city of San Francisco that offers the Traditional Latin Mass. You can come anytime for adoration, which is available 24/7. Confession is offered daily.
Notre Dame des Victoires – Financial District
- Open during the week from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Times differ on weekends
- https://ndvsf.weconnectonline.com/
The parish is under the care of the Marist fathers. They offer confession before daily Mass and on Saturdays. Their 10:30 Sunday Mass is in French.
This very charming Romanesque church was founded in 1856 for the community of French Catholic immigrants in San Francisco. It follows the architectural styles of the French Basilica Notre Dame de Fourvière in Lyon for the façade, and the Saint Ambrose church in Paris for the interior. Like many churches in San Francisco built before 1906, this church was destroyed in the infamous earthquake and fire and was rebuilt in 1913.
The church has a unique entrance with a double staircase leading to the apse used as an entrance porch. Being in the busier Financial District of San Francisco, it is squeezed in between other buildings and is not far from the tallest sky scrapers of the city. Inside, the church’s jewels include the main altar and beautiful marble columns along the nave.
Another gem is the lovely stained glass windows, one of which depicts the apparition of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary in Paray le Monial. Another one is of a World War I scene which has a resurrected Christ over a battlefield where French and American soldiers have fallen. You can also admire the side altars. One of them is dedicated to St. Therese of Lisieux with her promise inscribed above the arch that says she will make fall a shower of roses from heaven.
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church – Yerba Buena District
- Open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 1:30 pm, and from 4:00 pm to 6:00pm.
- Open on Sundays from 7:00 am to 1:30 pm, and from 4:00 pm to 6:45pm.
- On the first and Third Sunday of the month, the Church is open without interruption from 7:00 am to 6:45pm.
- https://www.stpatricksf.org/
We visited this church when we were in the city for an appointment. We were able to receive confession there right before Holy Week. At the time, Mass was going on and there were two long lines formed going up into the sacristy. It is always so wonderful to see a thriving community where you can witness the faith being taken seriously and people are making use of the Sacraments.
Founded in 1851, this brick Gothic Revival church was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake. Reminiscent of churches in Ireland, it was designated as the church of the Irish Catholics on the West Coast of the United States. Nestled in the South of Market district, the church contrasts heavily with the more modern buildings around it. Inside the church, the most remarkable aspects are the beautiful high altar, the green Connemara marble columns, and beautiful statues of saints throughout the nave.
This parish is an active community with daily Masses and confessions offered 4 days of the week.
Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral – Chinatown & Nob Hill
- Open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Open Saturday 12:15 am to 6:15 pm
- Open Sunday 8:15 am to 11:45 am
- https://www.oldsaintmarys.org/
This is the first church in the world to be named in honor of the Immaculate Conception, only two weeks after the proclamation of the dogma. It is also the first cathedral of the Archdiocese of San Francisco although it is not a cathedral anymore. Built in the Gothic revival style, it survived the 1906 earthquake, only to suffer from the fires started by the quake. The parish has been in the care of the Paulist fathers for over a century. Being in Chinatown, it is an apostolate dedicated to serving the Chinese Catholic community. Masses are offered in English and Cantonese.
The beautiful brick façade draws the visitor to enter the church. If you look up under the clock you can read the words from Ecclesiasticus 4:23: “Son, Observe the Time and Fly from Evil”, aimed at the men who frequented the brothels of the area in the middle of the 19th century. Once you come inside, you will notice that the church is in need of restoration, but that it has some true gems, including the exquisite sculpted Stations of the Cross and beautiful paintings of the Assumption, the Annunciation, and St Michael above the altar.
St. Ignatius & the Carmel de Cristo Rey Chapel – Lone Mountain District
- Open from Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
- Saturday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
- Sunday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
- https://stignatiussf.org/
- Carmel chapel is open every day from 6:15 am to the end of the 7:00 am daily Mass. On Sundays only, it is open at 3:45 pm for the 4:00 pm Benediction.
- https://carmelofcristorey.org/
St. Ignatius church, in the care of the Jesuits, is reminiscent of the Papal Basilicas of Rome. It was built in an architectural style mixing Italian Renaissance with Baroque. The dome and twin towers can be seen from many parts of the city. The outside of the church was covered in scaffolding last time we visited, but the inside was truly breathtaking. It is hard to give justice to the beauty of the high marble altar and baldachin. The side chapels of the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the paintings of the stations of the cross above the nave are also quite beautiful.
If you come here, you also ought to visit the Carmelite Chapel of the Monastery of Cristo Rey just across the street, which is a small and peaceful chapel. You can ask the cloistered discalced Carmelite sisters to pray for your intentions. Their community’s history is tied directly to the persecutions of the Cristero War of Mexico.
Sisters of Perpetual Adoration – Haight Ashbury
- Open every day 6:15 am to 6:00 pm
- http://www.adorejesus.org/
Come inside this beautiful chapel to adore Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and you will surely feel the peace radiating in this holy place. You will never be alone, as there will be at least one of the cloistered sisters discreetly adoring the Blessed Sacrament in the back of the church or on the second level. These sisters’ history is also tied to the Cristeros persecution of 1920s Mexico. Everything in the chapel draws the eyes to the monstrance, which is under a beautiful Gold and white baldachin with two angel statues bowing to the blessed Sacrament. Even the beautiful flower bouquets during our visit seemed to point to the exposed Lord. The chapel also has some beautiful statues of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, St Joseph and the Sacred Heart, and a painting of Blessed Mother Mary Magdalene, the founder of the order.
St. Vincent de Paul’s Catholic Church – Pacific Heights
- Open every day from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
- https://www.svdpsf.org/
This church seems like it was the inspiration for the design team of the town of Arendelle in the Frozen movie. Apparently, it is not a Scandinavian design but more Swiss inspired. The most spectacular aspect, other than the unusual architecture, are the large stained glass windows, particularly the one above the choir loft. There is also a great statue of St. Vincent de Paul just outside the church.
Other Notable Catholic Churches in San Francisco
St. Anne of the Sunset – Inner Sunset
Cathedral of St Mary’s of the Assumption – Fillmore District
St. Boniface Catholic Church – Tenderloin
St. Philip the Apostle – Noe Valley
St. Agnes Catholic Church – Haight-Ashbury
St. Cecilia Catholic Church – Inner Parkside
Our Lady of Fatima Byzantine Catholic Church – Richmond District
St. Monica Catholic Church – Richmond District
Conclusion
That wraps up our current recommendations for the most beautiful Catholic Churches in San Francisco. There are a few more we wish to visit but have not been able to due to timing. In the meantime, we hope this list helped you plan your trip to San Francisco by inspiring you to stop in to any one of these churches. If at any point you get peckish while exploring the city, stop by any of the bakeries on this post here for a quick pick-me-up. It will be sure not to disappoint.
Yours in Christ,
A & D