About St. Mary of the Assumption · San Francisco, California
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, commonly known as St. Mary's Cathedral, is the principal church and mother church of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, serving the Catholic faithful of Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties. Located at 1111 Gough Street in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood, the striking reinforced-concrete structure was designed by the team of Pietro Belluschi and Pier Luigi Nervi and completed in 1970–71 as the first cathedral in the United States built in response to the Second Vatican Council's liturgical vision. In addition to its role as the seat of Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, it functions as a working parish that offers daily Mass in English, weekly Mass in Spanish, a monthly Traditional Latin Mass, perpetual-style Eucharistic adoration, and an active music, Hispanic, grief, and evangelization ministry.
- Established
- 1854
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (under her title of the Assumption)
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin Kennedy (Pastor and Rector, installed November 27, 2022)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. Mary's is the spiritual heart of the Archdiocese of San Francisco — the Archbishop's own parish — and a place where you can encounter the full rhythm of Catholic life in one of the country's most architecturally significant churches. Daily Masses, a Sunday afternoon Mass in Spanish, and a monthly Traditional Latin Mass mean there is almost always a liturgy to attend, while First Friday Exposition and Benediction, year-round confession, and perpetual-style Eucharistic adoration give the cathedral the devotional depth of a monastery. Beyond the liturgy, parishioners find a small but engaged community: a strong Hispanic music ministry, the Legion of Mary, a bereavement and grief support program called 'Through Darkness into New Light,' a 'Strength for the Journey' group for those facing life-threatening illness, Extraordinary Ministers to the sick and homebound, a speakers series, and the cathedral's outreach through the Archdiocesan Restorative Justice Ministry. Visitors are warmly welcomed at the Welcome Desk, and free parking is available for those attending services or touring the building.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Assumption
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- First Wednesday (Traditional Latin Mass): confessions available (contact Deacon R. Christoph Sandoval)
Adoration times
- First Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the Blessed Sacrament Altar (left of the Main Altar); Benediction at 4:45 p.m. before closing at 5:00 p.m.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption
St. Mary's Cathedral is the mother church of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the seat of its Archbishop, currently Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone, the ninth Archbishop. It serves the Catholic faithful of Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties. In addition to its role as the archbishop's parish, it is a working parish community that celebrates daily Mass, hosts a Sunday Spanish Mass, offers a monthly Traditional Latin Mass, and runs year-round Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays.
- Address: 1111 Gough Street @ Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94109-6686
- Phone: (415) 567-2020
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m.); closed Sat–Sun
- Cathedral visiting hours: open every day from the first Mass until 5:00 p.m.
- Website: https://smcsf.org/
History
San Francisco has had three cathedrals bearing the name of the Assumption. The first (now Old St. Mary's) was built by Chinese laborers in 1854; the second stood on Van Ness Avenue from 1891 until it was gutted by fire in 1962; the present building was completed in 1970 and blessed in 1971. Its striking modern design was a direct response to Vatican II's call for innovative sacred architecture and was driven by the combined vision of Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken, designer Pietro Belluschi, and engineer Pier Luigi Nervi. The Cathedral was the site of a papal gathering in 1987 and of the formal completion of its dedication in 1996 under Archbishop William J. Levada.
- 1853: Parish established by Fr. Henry Ignatius Stark for Chinese evangelization
- 1854: First St. Mary's Cathedral consecrated by Archbishop Alemany
- 1891: Second cathedral dedicated on Van Ness Avenue
- Sept. 7, 1962: Fire destroys the second cathedral; McGucken vows a new one
- Aug. 1965: Ground broken on Cathedral Hill
- Dec. 13, 1967: Cornerstone blessed by Apostolic Delegate Luigi Raimondi
- 1970: Construction completed; cost $9 million
- May 5, 1971: Cathedral formally blessed
- 1987: Pope John Paul II gathers with religious and lay leaders
- Oct. 5, 1996: Dedication completed under Archbishop Levada
Architecture
The Cathedral is a textbook example of Structural Expressionist Modern sacred architecture. Designed on the geometric principle of the hyperbolic paraboloid, its four corners rise and unite overhead in a Latin cross, soaring 200 feet above a 255-foot-square travertine-faced base. Four massive pylons — anchored 75–85 feet into bedrock — carry the entire 19-story cupola, whose inner surface is a tapestry of more than 1,600 pre-cast triangular coffers in 128 different sizes. The single permanent altar, the fan-shaped arrangement of pews for 2,400 worshippers, the brick floor recalling the California missions, and the corner windows of clear glass uniting the church to the modern city all reflect Vatican II's liturgical vision.
- Style: Structural Expressionist Modern; hyperbolic-paraboloid shell
- Architects: Pietro Belluschi (design lead, MIT) with McSweeney, Ryan & Lee; Pier Luigi Nervi (engineering)
- Capacity: 2,400 seated + 1,500 standing; farthest pew 75 feet from the altar
- Materials: reinforced concrete faced with Italian travertine; brick floor
- Stained glass clerestory forms a cross representing earth, air, fire, and water
- Crowned with a 55-foot golden cross
- Site work led by Msgr. Thomas J. Bowe, who planted an Our Lady of Guadalupe medal on the property
Masses, Sacraments, and Devotions
The Cathedral offers a full schedule of Masses, confession, and Eucharistic adoration, plus distinctive devotions like the monthly Traditional Latin Mass and a strong Hispanic liturgical presence. The 12:10 p.m. daily Mass and the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass are livestreamed on the Cathedral's YouTube channel.
- Mon–Fri: 7:30 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Vigil
- Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. (livestreamed), and 1:00 p.m. en Español
- First Wednesday: 3:00 p.m. Traditional Latin Mass
- Confession: Mon–Fri 11:30 a.m.–12:00 noon; Saturday 4:00–5:00 p.m.
- First Friday Adoration: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. with Benediction at 4:45 p.m.
- Wedding, Wedding Anniversary, and Quinceañera coordination: Mimi Ruiz, Ext. 254
Parish Clergy and Staff
The Cathedral is pastored by the Very Rev. Kevin Kennedy, the 11th pastor and rector, installed by Archbishop Cordileone on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2022. He is assisted by a parochial vicar, priests in residence, two deacons, and a lay staff that runs everything from liturgy to the gift shop to the Event Center.
- Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone — Ninth Archbishop of San Francisco
- Rev. Kevin Kennedy — Pastor and Rector (Ext. 209)
- Rev. Jerald Geronimo — Parochial Vicar (Ext. 208)
- Rev. Patrick Summerhays, Rev. Gregory Heidenblut OSA, Rev. Vincent Woo — Priests in Residence
- Rev. Mr. R. Christoph Sandoval — Deacon; Pastoral Associate, Spiritual Care Ministries; Latin Mass Coordinator (Ext. 203)
- Diácono Juan Michel — Deacon, Hispanic Ministry (Ext. 210)
- Business Manager: Mark Silva (Ext. 202); Development: Jolie Velazquez (Ext. 228); Receptionist/Bulletin: Michael McKeon (Ext. 200); Facilities Manager: Jeff McReynolds (Ext. 230)
- Director of Music: Dr. Christoph Tietze (Ext. 213); Cantors: Alexa Lopez, Mimi Ruiz
Ministries and Outreach
In addition to its role as the Archbishop's parish, St. Mary's runs an unusually wide range of pastoral and outreach ministries for a downtown cathedral, including spiritual care for the seriously ill and grieving, a strong Hispanic ministry and music program, the Legion of Mary, RCIA, the Cathedral Speaker Series, and the Cathedral Event Center's hosting of Archdiocesan programs such as Restorative Justice Ministry's annual 'Christmas Angels' party for children affected by violence and incarceration.
- Ministry of the Sick & Homebound (deacon-led visits)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (liturgical and to the homebound, including Viaticum to the Dying)
- 'Through Darkness into New Light' Grief & Bereavement Group (3rd Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 noon, Msgr. Bowe Room)
- 'Strength for the Journey' Spiritual Care Support for Life-Threatening Illness/Chronic Disease (1st Fri, 12:00 noon–1:30 p.m.)
- Hispanic Ministry with Deacon Juan Michel and a Spanish music ministry
- Music Ministry / St. Mary's Cathedral Choir School (Dr. Christoph Tietze)
- Legion of Mary (Saturdays 10:30 a.m.–12:00 noon, Pope St. John Paul II Room)
- Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) for unbaptized adults and Christians entering full communion; adult Confirmation prep
- Cathedral Speaker Series — past speakers include Archbishops Cordileone and Niederauer, Cardinal Levada, and Catholic scholars
- Cathedral Event Center (Director Diane Luporini, Ext. 201) — venue for parish and Archdiocesan events
- Restorative Justice Ministry 'Christmas Angels' children's party
Visiting the Cathedral
The Cathedral is open to visitors every day from the first Mass until 5:00 p.m. Self-guided visits should avoid posted service times. Visitor parking in the Cathedral lot is free in any non-permit space; MUNI's 38/38R Geary and the 49 and 31 lines all stop within walking distance. The on-site Gift Shop (415-567-4040) and the Cathedral Event Center (Ext. 201) extend the parish's reach into the wider community.
- Address: 1111 Gough St. @ Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94109-6686
- Free visitor parking in any non-permit space; permits available to Sacred Heart teachers/students
- MUNI: 38 Geary (stops at Gough), 38R Geary Rapid, 49, and 31
- Tours not permitted during posted service times
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m.)
- Livestreamed daily and Sunday Masses on the Cathedral's YouTube channel
Pastors & rectors through the years
- John J. Prendergast (Vicar General)1891–1913
First rector of the second St. Mary's Cathedral, serving under Archbishop Riordan.
- Charles Augustus Ramm1914–1948
Long-tenured rector through the early twentieth century.
- Hugh Aloysius Donohoe (Vicar General)1948–1962
Rector when the second cathedral was destroyed by fire in September 1962.
- Thomas J. Bowe1962–1980
Monsignor; led the actual building of the present cathedral and secured the Cathedral Hill site, planting a medal of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the property.
- J. O'Shaughnessy1979–1981 (administrator); 1981–1986 (rector)
Administered the parish during the transition into the new building, then served as rector.
- Patrick Joseph McGrath1986–1989
- Milton T. Walsh1989–1997
- John O'Connor1997–2002
- Angel Jose De Heredia (Administrator)2002–2003
Served as administrator between rectors.
- John Talesfore2005–2015
- William J. Justice (Administrator)2015
Served as administrator.
- Arturo Albano2015–2022
- Kevin Kennedy2022–present
Installed as 11th pastor and rector on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2022, by Archbishop Cordileone; ordained in 1999; also serves as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Byzantine Church in San Francisco.