About St. Cecilia · San Francisco, California
St. Cecilia Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Parkside / Sunset district of western San Francisco, founded in 1917 to serve the Catholic families who had settled among the sand dunes west of Twin Peaks. Today the parish at 2555 17th Avenue ministers to a multigenerational community through three Sunday Masses, daily Mass, an attached Catholic school (TK–8), an active Children's Faith Formation program, RCIA, a Chinese Ministry, and the outreach of the Collins Center. The current parish leadership includes Pastor Rev. Rene Ramoso, Parochial Vicar Rev. Celestine O. Tyowua, and Deacons Rory Desmond, Iwan Soegiharto, and Daniel Roddick.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- St. Cecilia (patroness of music and musicians)
- Rector
- Rev. Rene Ramoso
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. Cecilia offers a classic, full-bodied Catholic life in the heart of the Parkside: three Sunday Masses, daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday confessions, a livestream for those at home, and a Catholic grammar school that has educated generations of neighborhood children since 1930. Active parish life — Children's Faith Formation, RCIA, Youth Ministry, the Chinese Ministry, the Legion of Mary, and outreach through the Collins Center — gives newcomers of every age a place to belong, serve, and grow in faith.
Mass times at St. Cecilia
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM in the Church
Adoration times
- Monday – Saturday 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Church open for prayer and visitation, made possible by the Knights of St. Cecilia)
Parish History — From Sand Dunes to a Sunset Landmark
St. Cecilia was established on January 7, 1917, by Archbishop Edward J. Hanna as a parish for the 'sand dunes and vegetable gardens' of San Francisco's Parkside District, with Father John P. Tobin as its first pastor. Father Tobin celebrated the first Mass in a converted two-story house at 1215 Taraval Street, then built two temporary churches and in 1926 purchased the three-acre Vicente Street site that still anchors the parish today. Successive pastors built the school, invited the Sisters of the Holy Names to teach, erected the present church (dedicated 1956, consecrated 1964), and developed the ministries that today form the backbone of parish life.
- Founded January 7, 1917 by Archbishop Edward J. Hanna
- First Mass celebrated in the upstairs/downstairs of 1215 Taraval Street
- First temporary church blessed June 15, 1917, one day after the Twin Peaks Tunnel opened
- Vicente Street campus (17th–18th Avenues) purchased May 28, 1926 for $65,000
- Father Tobin died Good Friday, March 29, 1929
Architecture & Sanctuary
The present-day Church of St. Cecilia was designed by architect Martin Rist and built by the firm of Jacks and Irvine under a $750,000 contract. Construction began June 1, 1954, the cornerstone was laid May 13, 1956, and Archbishop John J. Mitty solemnly dedicated the finished church on Pentecost Sunday, May 20, 1956. Bishop Merlin J. Guilfoyle later consecrated it on December 18, 1964. The sanctuary retains a steel tabernacle donated by parishioner Chris McKeon — a memorial to St. Cecilia parishioners who died in World War II.
- Architect: Martin Rist
- Contractors: Jacks and Irvine (contract $750,000)
- Cornerstone: May 13, 1956
- Dedicated: Pentecost Sunday, May 20, 1956 by Archbishop John J. Mitty
- Consecrated: December 18, 1964 by Bishop Merlin J. Guilfoyle
St. Cecilia Parish School (TK–8)
St. Cecilia School, located at 660 Vicente Street, is a TK–8 Catholic elementary school that traces its roots to the grammar school Father John Harnett built in 1930. From its earliest days the school was staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, and it continues to serve approximately 600 students from Kindergarten through 8th Grade with a staff of 53. The school is led by Principal Ms. Laura Held and has a strong record of graduates matriculating to their first-choice high schools.
- Address: 660 Vicente Street, San Francisco, CA 94116
- Phone: (415) 731-8400
- Email: [email protected]
- Principal: Ms. Laura Held
- Originally built in 1930 by Father John Harnett
- Staffed since founding by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
The Children's Faith Formation (CFF) program serves parish children who attend public, non-Catholic private, or home schools. Classes meet Sunday mornings from 8:30 to 9:15 AM in the Convent and Collins Center at 2560 18th Avenue, with families encouraged to attend the 9:30 AM Family Mass in the main church. Sacramental preparation is a two-year process for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion (Grades 1–2) and for Confirmation (Grades 7–8). The parish also runs an Adult Faith Formation program and a Youth Ministry led by Maggie Baglin.
- Director of Religious Education: Jerick Rea
- CFF classes: Sundays 8:30–9:15 AM at the Collins Center/Convent, 2560 18th Avenue
- First Penance & First Communion: Grades 1–2, two-year process
- Confirmation: Grades 7–8, two-year process (combined with school candidates)
- Youth Minister: Maggie Baglin
RCIA, Baptism & Adult Initiation
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the parish's process for adults interested in becoming Catholic or completing their initiation, guided by Deacon Iwan Soegiharto. The parish also prepares parents for the Baptism of their children through its Baptismal Catechesis program. These ministries reflect Monsignor McKay's 1980s pastoral vision for the parish — pairing outreach, formation, and sacramental preparation for every age.
- RCIA – led by Deacon Iwan Soegiharto
- Baptism Preparation for parents
- Adult Faith Formation
Chinese Ministry
The Chinese Ministry fosters friendship among the Chinese members of the parish and serves their needs through several ongoing programs. It began in the 1980s as the 'Chinese Club' under Monsignor McKay's pastorate and has since grown into a multifaceted ministry.
- Chinese RCIA classes
- Bible Sharing group
- Prayer meetings
- Chinese language classes for school children
Parish Staff & Contact
The parish office is open weekdays 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is staffed by an Administrative Assistant (Irma Lavitoria), a Project Administrative Assistant (Anthony Aguirre), the Director of Religious Education (Jerick Rea), the Youth Minister (Maggie Baglin), and the Collins Center Coordinator (Diane Weinkauf). The parish is currently led by Pastor Rev. Rene Ramoso, Parochial Vicar Rev. Celestine O. Tyowua, and three Deacons: Rory Desmond, Iwan Soegiharto, and Daniel Roddick.
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Phone: (415) 664-8481
- Fax: (415) 661-2957
- Email: [email protected]
- Emergency Sick Calls: 415-734-7445
Visit, Contact & Directions
St. Cecilia is located at 2555 17th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116, in the Parkside/Sunset neighborhood. The parish office and contact email are reachable during weekday office hours, and a contact form is available on the website. The church itself is open for prayer and visitation Monday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM; full directions are published on the parish website.
- Address: 2555 17th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116
- Phone: (415) 664-8481
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stcecilia.com
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John P. Tobin1917–1929
First pastor; Irish-born (1876), ordained in Baltimore 1902; founded the parish, built two temporary churches, purchased the Vicente Street site, died Good Friday March 29, 1929 and buried at Holy Cross Cemetery.
- Rev. John Harnett1929–1946
Second pastor; Irish-born (1873), ordained in Ireland 1897; built St. Cecilia Grammar School (1930), the Rectory, and invited the Sisters of the Holy Names to teach.
- Monsignor Harold E. Collins, Ph.D.1946–1976
Third pastor; native San Franciscan, ordained 1925, made Right Reverend Monsignor by Pope Pius XII in 1943; built the current church (dedicated 1956, consecrated 1964) and expanded the school; served 30 years as pastor; died Dec 16, 1980 at Nazareth House, Terra Linda.
- Monsignor James P. McKay1976–1990
Fourth pastor; had previously served at St. Cecilia as Associate Pastor and Priest in residence; launched Baptismal Catechesis, Adult Bible Study, Chinese Club, Parent/Toddler groups, RCIA, Youth Ministry, Finance Committee, Parish Council, Legion of Mary; opened the Harold E. Collins Center in 1979; named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia July 1, 1990.
- Monsignor Patrick O'Shea1990–1994
Fifth pastor; led archdiocesan self-study, developed the outdoor lighting system and the new terrazzo plaza at the main entrance.
- Rev. Michael D. Harriman1994–
Sixth pastor; appointed July 1, 1994 by the Archdiocese; began implementation of the new Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan (approved 1995) through neighborhood listening sessions.