About St. Francis of Assisi · San Francisco, California
The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi is a historic Roman Catholic shrine located at 610 Vallejo Street in San Francisco's North Beach district. Established as a parish on June 12, 1849 — five days before the first parochial Mass in California — it predates both the City of San Francisco and the State of California as an official Catholic entity. It was elevated to the status of a National Shrine by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in September 1999 and is now cared for by the Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Western America Province, who welcome pilgrims to its 1860 Norman Gothic church and the 2008 Porziuncola Nuova chapel.
- Established
- 1849
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Fr. Robert A. Barbato, O.F.M. Cap. (Rector)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi offers something rare for a city church: deep historical roots (it predates both San Francisco and California as a legal entity), Franciscan sacramental life in a quiet sanctuary of prayer, and the unique spiritual privilege of the Portiuncula Indulgence (the Pardon of Assisi) on August 2 and October 4. Pilgrims and visitors are welcomed daily by Capuchin friars, can venerate first-class relics of St. Francis, St. Clare, and St. Anthony of Padua, and pray in the Porziuncola Nuova — a replica of the chapel in Assisi where St. Francis first heard his calling — making it both a neighborhood refuge in North Beach and a national place of pilgrimage.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (or by request)
- Wednesday: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (or by request)
- Thursday: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (or by request)
- Friday: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (or by request)
- Saturday: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (or by request)
History of the Shrine
The Shrine's story begins with the California Gold Rush. When thousands of Catholic newcomers poured into Yerba Buena (renamed San Francisco) in 1849, the only Catholic church was Mission Dolores, three and a half miles from the docks. Priests from the Pacific Northwest, with help from U.S. troops at the Presidio, built a small wooden shanty to serve as a church. On June 12, 1849, Saint Francis Parish was formally established — five days before the first parochial Mass in California was celebrated on June 17, 1849. As an official juridical entity, the parish antedates both the City of San Francisco (incorporated April 18, 1850) and the State of California (admitted September 9, 1850). An adobe church replaced the shanty and was consecrated by Bishop Joseph Alemany in 1851; he used it as his cathedral for three years. In 1852, Fr. John Quinn was ordained here — the first presbyteral ordination in California. The cornerstone of the present Norman Gothic church was laid October 2, 1859, with the new church built directly over the old one to keep liturgical services continuous; it was dedicated March 17, 1860.
- June 12, 1849: Saint Francis Parish formally established
- June 17, 1849: First parochial Mass in California
- 1851: Bishop Alemany consecrates adobe church; uses as cathedral until 1854
- 1852: First presbyteral ordination in California (Fr. John Quinn)
- October 2, 1859: Cornerstone of present Norman Gothic church laid
- March 17, 1860: Church dedicated
- April 18, 1906: Earthquake and fire gut interior; brick walls and towers survive
- March 2, 1919: Rededication of rebuilt interior within original walls
- September 3, 1968: San Francisco Designated Landmark No. 5
- October 1, 1972: California Historical Landmark
- September 1999: Granted National Shrine status by USCCB
- September 27, 2008: Porziuncola Nuova dedicated by Cardinal William J. Levada
Architecture, Art, and Music
The Shrine's Norman Gothic architecture is recognizable by its elegant twin campanile. After the 1906 disaster, engineers rebuilt the interior within the surviving brick walls, supporting the floor and roof with steel girders — a structural decision still visible in the church today. The interior features dramatic murals by the Italian fin-de-siècle painter Luigi Brusatori surrounding the altar of repose and depicting the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Radiant stained-glass windows along the length of the church portray Gospel events. Devotional images along the aisles include St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, the San Damiano Cross, Christ the King, the Pietà, St. Rita, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Anne, St. Joseph, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of the Angels, and St. Clare. The Shrine also houses the acclaimed 1926 Schoenstein pipe organ, enlarged in 1993, which serves as a regular voice in liturgical celebrations.
- Style: Norman Gothic / Norman Revival with Gothic Revival elements
- Twin campanile
- Steel girder–supported floor and roof (post-1906 rebuild)
- Luigi Brusatori murals around the altar of repose
- Stained-glass windows depicting Gospel events
- 1926 Schoenstein pipe organ, enlarged 1993
The Porziuncola Nuova
At the heart of the Shrine complex stands the Porziuncola Nuova, a scaled replica of the Porziuncola in Assisi, Italy — the Benedictine chapel that the young Francis of Assisi restored and that became the cradle of the Franciscan order. 'Porziuncola' means 'small portion of land,' a name dear to St. Francis, who often referred to it as 'the Little Portion,' fitting his love of Lady Poverty. The Porziuncola Nuova was dedicated on September 27, 2008, by Cardinal William J. Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. For only the fifth time in Church/Papal history, Pope Benedict XVI issued a declaration naming the National Shrine and Porziuncola a Holy Site — a rare honor allowing pilgrims unable to travel to Italy to experience a tangible piece of Assisi in San Francisco.
- Scaled replica of the Porziuncola chapel in Assisi, Italy
- Dedicated September 27, 2008 by Cardinal William J. Levada
- Named a Holy Site by Pope Benedict XVI — fifth such declaration in Church/Papal history
- Wednesday Mass celebrated here
- Hours: Thursday–Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm; Sunday 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm
Relics and Devotions
Pilgrims to the Shrine can venerate first-class relics of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi, along with relics of other Franciscan saints including St. Anthony of Padua. These tangible connections to the Franciscan family make the Shrine a powerful place of prayer and devotion. The Shrine also offers the Portiuncula Indulgence (the Pardon of Assisi), a special plenary indulgence granted to all the faithful who visit churches entrusted to the pastoral care of the Franciscan Family on the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels (August 2) and the Feast of St. Francis (October 4), under the usual conditions of sacramental confession, reception of Holy Eucharist, prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff, and interior detachment from sin.
- First-class relic of St. Francis of Assisi
- First-class relic of St. Clare of Assisi
- Relic of St. Anthony of Padua
- Portiuncula Indulgence / Pardon of Assisi available August 2 and October 4
Capuchin Franciscan Friars and Staff
The National Shrine is staffed and cared for by the Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Western America Province. The current rector is Fr. Robert A. Barbato, O.F.M. Cap. (Father Bobby), installed by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone on the Third Sunday of Advent, December 11, 2022. The first Capuchin rector was Fr. Gregory Coiro, O.F.M. Cap., appointed July 1, 2010 by Archbishop George H. Niederauer. The Capuchins follow St. Francis as brothers, living the Gospel in prayer, fraternity, and ministry, witnessing simply to Jesus Christ and the Church as a joyful presence of hope and salvation to all, especially to those most in need.
- Fr. Robert A. Barbato, O.F.M. Cap. — current Rector (installed December 11, 2022)
- Fr. Gregory Coiro, O.F.M. Cap. — first Capuchin rector (2010)
- Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Western America Province
- Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
- Phone: (415) 986-4557; Fax: (415) 544-9814
Pilgrimages, Tours, and Events
Parishes, faith groups, and schools frequently come to the National Shrine for prayerful visits. Short facilitated visits by friars and staff can be arranged on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with advance notice ([email protected]). The Shrine hosted the 800th Jubilee of the Transitus of Francis and is co-sponsoring a Relics Exhibition & Veneration at the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of San Francisco from October 16 to November 28, 2026. Throughout the year, the Shrine hosts solemn liturgies and special Masses celebrated by bishops and archbishops, strengthening its role as both a local sanctuary and a center of Franciscan devotion for the wider Church.
- Parish, faith-group, and school pilgrimages by appointment
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays: facilitated visits with advance notice
- 800th Jubilee of the Transitus of Francis
- Relics Exhibition & Veneration at the Cathedral (October 16 – November 28, 2026)
Service and Outreach
Beyond its liturgical and devotional life, the Shrine is a center of charity and outreach in North Beach. Visitors are welcome to join the friars in works of mercy, such as preparing sandwiches for San Francisco's homeless. Lay volunteers — including members of the KOSF (Knights of the Shrine of St. Francis) — assist the Capuchins with hospitality, docent-led tours, music, and pilgrim welcome. The Shrine describes itself as 'a sanctuary of peace in the heart of San Francisco,' fostering community spirit with worshippers, visitors, and the wider North Beach neighborhood.
- Sandwich preparation for the homeless
- KOSF lay volunteer community
- Hospitality, docent, and music ministries
- Pilgrim welcome
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Gregory Coiro, O.F.M. Cap.2010–
First Capuchin Franciscan rector; appointed July 1, 2010 by Archbishop George H. Niederauer.
- Fr. Robert A. Barbato, O.F.M. Cap.2022–present
Installed as rector by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone on the Third Sunday of Advent, December 11, 2022.
