About St. Gabriel · San Francisco, California
St. Gabriel Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Sunset District of San Francisco, established on June 28, 1941, by Archbishop John J. Mitty. The parish literally grew out of the sand dunes of the Outer Sunset and has served generations of San Francisco families through its parochial school, Religious Education program, and parish-centered activities. Today St. Gabriel's is a multicultural parish of roughly 1,100 families, gathered around a simple, mission-style church on 40th Avenue, where the parish's stated mission is to participate in the mission of Jesus Christ through worship, education, prayer, and outreach.
- Established
- 1941
- Patron
- St. Gabriel the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Ian Quito
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. Gabriel is a multigenerational, multicultural parish in the heart of San Francisco's Sunset District with deep roots in the neighborhood and a special commitment to children and families. A parish school that once was the largest Catholic elementary school west of the Mississippi, an active Religious Education program, Confirmation preparation for high-schoolers, and the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults journeying into the Church are all reasons parishioners find a home here. Add simple but beautiful liturgy, weekday and Sunday Mass in a welcoming mission-style church, and you have a parish that prides itself on being a place where all are welcome.
Mass times at St. Gabriel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Every Friday 7:30–8:30 AM
- First Saturday of the month at 3:30 PM (individual confession and absolution in the Church)
- Individual confession by appointment — call the Parish Center at 415-731-6161
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction after the 8:30 AM Mass until 9:30 AM
- Holy hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament observed before daily Masses
History of St. Gabriel Parish
St. Gabriel was established on June 28, 1941, by Archbishop John J. Mitty, with Father George J. Bedford as founding pastor. The first Mass was held in a hardware store at 44th Avenue and Taraval on August 3, 1941. The permanent church was blessed and dedicated on May 31, 1942. The parish grew from sand dunes into a thriving community of roughly 1,100 families representing cultures from all over the world.
- Founded June 28, 1941 by Archbishop John J. Mitty
- First Mass: August 3, 1941, in a hardware store at 44th & Taraval
- Church dedicated May 31, 1942
- Monsignor Bedford served as founding pastor for 29 years
- Original parish boundaries: 30th Avenue to the beach, Pacheco Street to Sloat Boulevard
Parish School
St. Gabriel School opened in February 1948 with four grades and a kindergarten, originally staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. The school expanded by two classrooms each year until reaching 24 classrooms and a peak enrollment of 1,200 students — at which point it was the largest Catholic elementary school west of the Mississippi. St. Gabriel School continues today as part of the parish's ministry to children and families.
- Opened February 1948
- Originally staffed by the Sisters of Mercy
- Peak enrollment: 1,200 students
- Once the largest Catholic grammar school west of the Mississippi
- Current principal: Gina Beal ([email protected])
Faith Formation
St. Gabriel's faith formation programs serve children, teens, and adults seeking to grow in their Catholic faith. Classes run weekly on Sundays beginning in September and focus on Scripture, prayer, Catholic teaching, and parish life.
- Religious Education for grades 1–8
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion preparation (typically 2nd grade)
- Confirmation Preparation (9th grade and above)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA)
- Youth Ministry
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
OCIA (formerly RCIA) is the process through which adults explore the Catholic faith and prepare to become full members of the Church. OCIA at St. Gabriel is led by Deacon John Hurst and welcomes the unbaptized, Christians from other traditions, and baptized Catholics seeking to complete their sacraments of initiation. Participants journey through prayer, study, and community to receive Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
- Coordinator: Rev. Mr. John Hurst, Deacon
- For unbaptized adults, baptized Christians from other denominations, and baptized Catholics completing initiation
- Contact the Parish Center at 415-731-6161 for information
Religious Education & Sacramental Prep
The parish's Religious Education program serves grades 1–8 with weekly Sunday classes beginning in September. First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion preparation is typically done in 2nd grade and requires both regular Religious Education classes and sacramental prep sessions.
- Coordinator: Diane Lawrence ([email protected])
- First Communion prep in 2nd grade
- Confirmation Coordinator: Edgar Estonina ([email protected])
Sacraments
St. Gabriel celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and welcomes parishioners and those preparing to enter full communion with the Church to contact the Parish Center for details on each.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist
- Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
- Marriage (Wedding Rehearsal Coordinator: Nancy Porter)
Parish Staff & Leadership
St. Gabriel is served by a pastor, deacon, parochial vicar in residence, a school principal, Religious Education and Confirmation coordinators, parish support staff, and a team of music ministers.
- Rev. Ian Quito — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Mr. John Hurst — Deacon ([email protected])
- Rev. Paul Zirimenya — In Residence
- Gina Beal — School Principal ([email protected])
- Diane Lawrence — Religious Education Coordinator ([email protected])
- Edgar Estonina — Confirmation Coordinator ([email protected])
- Cherrymae Jumoc — Altar Serving Coordinator ([email protected])
- Cheryl Bailey — Bookkeeper; Marie Dimapasoc-Arima — Payroll; Luana Letele — Secretary
- Music Ministers: Rob Grant, Rev. Mr. John Hurst, Kristine Sinajon, Mark Davis, David Lorentz
- Nancy Porter — Wedding Rehearsal Coordinator
Parish Organizations & Ministries
St. Gabriel's parish life includes a long tradition of organizations and ministries — some dating back to the parish's founding era — that support worship, formation, and community.
- Ladies Sodality of the Miraculous Medal — the parish's first organization
- Mothers' Guild (est. 1948)
- Fathers' Club (est. 1949)
- Parish Council
- Finance Council
- Lectors, Ushers, Sacristans, Ministers of Holy Communion (including to the homebound)
Visit & Contact
St. Gabriel welcomes visitors and seekers to its church on 40th Avenue between Ulloa and Vicente in San Francisco's Sunset District. The parish livestreams the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass on its website. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 9 AM–5 PM and Friday–Saturday 9 AM–12 PM, closed daily for lunch from 12–1 PM.
- Address: 2559 40th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116
- Phone: 415-731-6161
- Fax: 415-731-1270
- Email: [email protected]
- Sunday Mass livestream at sgparish.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George J. Bedford (later Monsignor)1941–c.1970 (29 years)
Founding pastor; celebrated first Mass in a hardware store at 44th & Taraval in 1941; the parish auditorium was later named Bedford Hall in his honor.
- Rev. Tom Hamiltonuntil 2025
Long-serving pastor before Fr. Ian Quito; listed in the 2023–2024 Archdiocesan Directory and on LinkedIn as Pastor of St. Gabriel from October 2008.
- Rev. Ian Quito2025–present
Ninth pastor of St. Gabriel; born and raised in Pampanga, Philippines; emigrated to the U.S. in 2014; ordained in 2020; installed September 21, 2025, by Archbishop Cordileone.