Old St. Mary’s Cathedral on California Street, San Francisco
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral rises with quiet dignity amid the modern towers of San Francisco’s Financial District and Chinatown. Built in 1854 from brick brought around Cape Horn, it was the first cathedral in California and remains one of the city’s most enduring architectural landmarks. Its Gothic Revival tower features Romanesque flourishes, pointed arches, and a clock bearing the sobering motto: “Son, Observe the Time and Fly From Evil.” Restored after surviving both the 1906 earthquake and a devastating fire, the cathedral speaks to San Francisco’s resilience and rich Catholic heritage. The bold brick façade, lancet windows, and delicate tracery form a powerful contrast with the geometric glass and steel of its neighboring skyscrapers. Walking by, it’s easy to feel history pressing close—this sacred space has watched over the city through gold rush, ruin, and rebirth.
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral on California Street, San Francisco
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral rises with quiet dignity amid the modern towers of San Francisco’s Financial District and Chinatown. Built in 1854 from brick brought around Cape Horn, it was the first cathedral in California and remains one of the city’s most enduring architectural landmarks. Its Gothic Revival tower features Romanesque flourishes, pointed arches, and a clock bearing the sobering motto: “Son, Observe the Time and Fly From Evil.” Restored after surviving both the 1906 earthquake and a devastating fire, the cathedral speaks to San Francisco’s resilience and rich Catholic heritage. The bold brick façade, lancet windows, and delicate tracery form a powerful contrast with the geometric glass and steel of its neighboring skyscrapers. Walking by, it’s easy to feel history pressing close—this sacred space has watched over the city through gold rush, ruin, and rebirth.