About St. Stephen · San Francisco, California
St. Stephen Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in San Francisco's Lakeside neighborhood, established in 1950 by Archbishop John J. Mitty and now part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The parish serves the faithful of southwest San Francisco with three Sunday Masses, a daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, and the sacrament of Reconciliation, while also hosting the Catholic Newman Club for students of nearby San Francisco State University. Beyond worship, St. Stephen operates a parish school (Pre-K through 8th grade) and a faith formation program for public-school children, and runs the on-site Donworth Hall event center named in honor of its longtime second pastor, Father Joseph Donworth. The community is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary (2025–2026), making it a well-rooted, multigenerational parish serving families, seniors, college students, and neighbors on Eucalyptus Drive near Lake Merced.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- St. Stephen
- Rector
- Rev. David Schunk, S.T.L.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. Stephen offers a stable, multigenerational Catholic community in the Lakeside District of San Francisco with daily Mass, three Sunday Masses, Monday Eucharistic adoration, and confession every Saturday and before each Sunday Mass. Families are served by a parish school (Pre-K through 8th grade), a Faith Formation program for public-school children, and sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation, while San Francisco State University students are welcomed through the on-site Newman Catholic Club. Active ministries include Caritas, the Women's Guild, Men's Club, Fifty Plus Club, Altar Society, choir, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and grief support — and as the parish celebrates its 75th anniversary, members are invited to deepen their faith in a church with deep local roots and a strong school-first tradition.
Mass times at St. Stephen
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (until 4:40 p.m. per Mass & More page)
- Sunday: 30 minutes before the start of each Mass
- By appointment: call (415) 681-2444 x1
Adoration times
- Mondays (and Monday–Friday per Mass & More page): 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. — Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Parish History
St. Stephen Parish was established in August 1950 by Archbishop John J. Mitty in San Francisco's Lakeside District. From its earliest days — when the first Mass was celebrated in a basement chapel on Eucalyptus Drive — the parish has been shaped by the dedication of its pastors and parishioners, who in 1952 raised more than $100,000 in pledges and built the parish school before the church, a first in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The community continues to honor that pioneering spirit as it celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025–2026.
- Founded August 1950 by Archbishop John J. Mitty
- First Mass in a small basement chapel on Eucalyptus Drive
- School opened September 22, 1952 — first in the Archdiocese to build a school before its church
- First Mass in original church on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953
- Current church dedicated December 22, 1963
- 75th Anniversary celebrations in 2025–2026
Architecture and Stained Glass
The current church building, designed by architect Fred Houweling, Jr. and dedicated in December 1963, incorporates the Swedish marble altar, walnut woodwork, and pews from the 1953 church. Its most celebrated feature is the faceted stained-glass windows designed by parishioner Carl Huneke of Century Stained Glass Studio and installed between 1963 and 1965. The rose window in the choir and the clerestory windows in the nave illustrate the Joyful, Glorious, and Sorrowful Mysteries, while the triptychs in the sanctuary and the children's room depict individual saints chosen by the donors, and the very large stairway windows depict St. Patrick and the patron of the parish, St. Stephen.
- Architect: Fred Houwiling, Jr.
- Dedicated December 22, 1963
- Windows by Carl Huneke (Century Stained Glass Studio, parishioner)
- Faceted glass: 1-inch-thick glass set in epoxy matrix
- Rose window depicts Joyful, Glorious, and Sorrowful Mysteries
- Stairway windows depict St. Patrick and St. Stephen
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Baptism is offered for infants and older children, with the parish working with families whose children have not yet been baptized. First Reconciliation and First Communion are typically received in 2nd grade after two years of Faith Formation, and Confirmation is typically received in 8th grade after completion of Grades 6 and 7 of Faith Formation. The parish also prepares couples for Marriage, supports those discerning Holy Orders, and provides Anointing of the Sick at a Healing Mass during the World Day of the Sick.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation and First Communion (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (8th grade)
- Marriage preparation (clergy-led)
- Holy Orders
- Anointing of the Sick
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation (catechesis for Grades 1–8) is offered Monday afternoons from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. during the school year, beginning with opening prayer and announcements inside St. Stephen Church before moving to classrooms at the Parish Office (451 Eucalyptus Drive). The program teaches children attending public or non-Catholic private schools and prepares them for the sacraments alongside St. Stephen School students. First Reconciliation and First Communion are typically in 2nd grade; Confirmation in 8th grade. Families in need are not turned away — scholarships are available.
- Catechesis Grades 1–8, Monday 4:15–5:30 p.m.
- Themes: Jesus our Savior; Church & Community; Beatitudes; 10 Commandments; 7 Sacraments; Scripture; Church History
- Fees: $100 first child / $80 second / $60 each additional; $50 sacrament prep fee
- Children's Liturgy of the Word during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass
Newman Catholic Club at SFSU
The Newman Catholic Club at San Francisco State University is hosted by St. Stephen Parish and chaplainced by Fr. Michael Liliedahl. It is a place for college students to grow in friendship and encounter Jesus through the Sacraments, formation, Bible studies, and fellowship. Newman is an inviting on-campus Catholic presence for the SFSU community and a unique part of the parish's outreach.
- Hosted by St. Stephen Parish
- Chaplain: Fr. Michael Liliedahl
- Open to San Francisco State University students
- Activities: Sacraments, formation, Bible studies, fellowship
Parish Ministries and Organizations
St. Stephen's active parish life is supported by a wide range of lay-led ministries and organizations. Many — including Altar Servers, Caritas, the Eucharistic Lay Ministry, the Liturgy Committee, Marriage Preparation, the Parish Council, and the Finance Council — are listed in the parish bulletin with named contact persons, making it easy for newcomers to get involved.
- Altar Servers
- Altar Society
- Bridge Group
- Caritas
- Eucharistic Lay Ministry (Word & Eucharist)
- Fifty Plus Club
- Finance Council
- Grief Support
- Men's Club
- Parish Council
- RCIA, Faith Formation, Book Club, Church Hospitality
- Ushers
- Women's Guild
St. Stephen School
St. Stephen Parish School, founded in 1952 and currently led by Principal Sharon McCarthy Allen, serves students from preschool through 8th grade. Originally staffed by the Sisters of Mercy, the school continues to be a cornerstone of the parish community, working in conjunction with the Faith Formation program to prepare students for the sacraments. Anthony A. Renteria serves as the parish Athletics Director.
- Founded 1952, originally staffed by the Sisters of Mercy
- Principal: Sharon McCarthy Allen
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Athletics Director: Anthony A. Renteria
- Worked with Women's Guild to provide resources for safe reopening during COVID-19
Donworth Hall — Parish Event Center
Donworth Hall is the parish's contemporary event and banquet facility, housed in the original 1953 church and named in honor of Father Joseph Donworth. The industrial-style space features ample natural light, an open industrial ceiling, a commercial kitchen, a dedicated bar area, a central stage, contemporary restrooms, an outdoor patio, breakout rooms, ample street parking, and A/V equipment. It is available for wedding receptions, school fundraisers, baby and bridal showers, cultural festivals, large group dining, cocktail receptions, and birthday and holiday parties.
- Named for Fr. Joseph Donworth, second pastor of St. Stephen
- 10,000+ sq. ft. venue with industrial style
- Commercial kitchen, central stage, outdoor patio
- Event Center Coordinator: Shay Ingelfinger
- Contact: (415) 681-2444 x2 or [email protected]
75th Anniversary and Giving
The 2025–2026 parish year marks St. Stephen's 75th anniversary. The parish is conducting a 75th Anniversary Fund with a goal of $250,000 to address critical maintenance needs. Households contributing $1,000 or more can engrave a leaf on the parish's donation tree, and households giving $10,000 or more are treated to a dinner personally prepared by the parish priests. The parish also participates in the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal.
- 75th Anniversary celebrated in 2025–2026
- 75th Anniversary Fund goal: $250,000
- Donation tree leaves for gifts of $1,000+
- Participates in the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal
Contact and Visiting
The parish office is located at 451 Eucalyptus Drive, San Francisco, CA 94132, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed weekends and major civic holidays). The main parish phone number is (415) 681-2444. Donworth Hall event bookings are handled by Shay Ingelfinger at extension 2.
- Parish Office: 451 Eucalyptus Drive, San Francisco, CA 94132
- Phone: (415) 681-2444
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Donworth Hall bookings: ext. 2 or [email protected]
- Faith Formation: ext. 3 or [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Richard Power1950–1951
First pastor, appointed by Archbishop John J. Mitty; celebrated the first Mass in a small basement chapel on Eucalyptus Drive. Recalled to active duty as a Major in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
- Rev. Joseph Donworth1951–1972
Second pastor; built the parish school before the church (school opened September 22, 1952; first Mass in the original church on Easter 1953). Oversaw construction of the present church, dedicated December 22, 1963. The original church was renamed Donworth Hall in his honor.
- Rev. Joseph O'Reilly1972–1987
Created Caritas, RCIA, the Extension Center, a kindergarten class for the school, the Eucharistic Minister training program, and the School Board.
- Rev. William Knapp1987–1992
Installed new carpet, remodeled confessionals for wheelchair access, opened a transept, commissioned dismantling of the original church tower a month before the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and launched the first study for a new school wing.
- Rev. Mario Farana1992–1993
Created the Parish Council and the Building and Grounds Committee; reassigned by the Archdiocese to become pastor of St. Paul's.
- Rev. John Wester1993–1997
Welcomed former St. Thomas More parishioners into St. Stephen's boundaries; revived the parish choir and high-school youth group; converted the convent into the Joseph P. O'Reilly Parish Center; formed the Liturgy and Stewardship Committees. Later ordained Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco; now Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico.