St. Patrick's Catholic Church, San Francisco
| Saint Patrick's Catholic Church | |
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| Basic information | |
| Location | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Geographic coordinates | 37°47′08″N 122°24′13″W / 37.785588°N 122.403508°WCoordinates: 37°47′08″N 122°24′13″W / 37.785588°N 122.403508°W |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| District | Archdiocese of San Francisco |
| Province | Archdiocese of San Francisco |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Church |
| Leadership | Archbishop of San Francisco |
| Website | stpatricksf.org |
| Designated | September 3, 1968 |
| Reference no. | 4 |
St. Patrick's Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic church in San Francisco, California, founded in 1851. It is located at 756 Mission Street, between 3rd and 4th streets, across the street from Yerba Buena Gardens in the heart of the South of Market district.
On June 9th, 1851, the church held it's very first mass in a hall on the corner of 4th and Jessie streets. A couple of months later a temporary church was built facing Market Street on the land where the Palace Hotel stands today. Inspired by the Irish population in the area, it was given the name of Ireland's patron saint, Saint Patrick. After the Civil War droves of people immigrated to San Francisco and the need for a bigger church grew. As a result, a new church facing Mission Street was constructed and opened in April 1870. It was dedicated by the then archbishop Joesph Alemany, O.P.. Many described it as the most magnificent church west of Chicago.
During the 1906 San Francisco earthquake the church was completely destroyed. The foundation and parts of the walls were the only portions of the building that still stood. Since many were shaken up and were in despair, many of the parishioners left the church. In the meantime, masses were held in the sandlots on Folsom Street between 3rd and 4th streets. They also built a permanent shelter called Tir-Na-Nong which would be later called St. Patrick's shelter. Those who remained constructed a new church, similar to the old church. It was desired for it to be the church for the Irish in the West Coast.
In 1968, the church became a San Francisco landmark. Later on, as the redevelopment of the Yerba Buena area occurred, the church remained unchanged as its surroundings were transforming into a modern look into the new millennium.
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