This Chinatown Cathedral Survived the 1906 Earthquake
Step inside for stained glass, a Chinese sculpture, and a contemplative pause amid the neighborhood bustle.
⛪ Worship And City History
At 660 California St., the Chinese Mission sits within the bustle of Chinatown. Its brick cathedral was built in 1854 and survived the 1906 earthquake, bringing a long stretch of San Francisco history into a neighborhood stop. This is a working Catholic parish, with community outreach alongside its role as a place of worship.
Inside, stained glass windows and a Chinese sculpture share space with historical artifacts documenting the site. Take your time with that collection before heading back into the surrounding streets. The Paulist Fathers have served the parish from 1894 onward, while regular Mass, lunchtime concerts, and quiet adoration continue its contemplative purpose.
The church opens Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to half past four PM, Saturday from half past eleven AM to 6 PM, and Sunday from 8 AM to 3 PM, and stays closed on Mondays.
