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Sacred Heart Parish of San Francisco,
at the corner of Fillmore and Fell Streets, is a readily recognizable
landmark from many vantage points in the City, overlooking the Western
Addition and the Hayes Valley neighborhoods. With its unique Italianate
exterior it sits majestically on the hill. As far as research has
shown, there is only one other church in California in this style,
located in Pasadena and constructed only in 1936.
Sacred Heart Parish represents the last ecclesiastical
building still standing by architect, Thomas John Welsh. In his
time, Welsh (1845-1918) had become the major architect for the Archdiocese
of San Francisco. Some of his greatest achievements were: the original
St. Dominics, the original St. Peter & Paul in Northbeach, the
Dominican Convent in San Rafael, St. Bridges School, St. Charles
School, St. Brendon's Church, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
All of his churches were destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, with
the exception of his masterpiece, St. Mary's Cathedral (replaced
after the fire of 1962), and Sacred Heart Parish.
Sacred Heart Parish was established in 1885. After
existing in various structures, the cornerstone for the present
church was laid in 1897. The church was completed in 1898. The first
part of construction cost $60,000.00. This price did not include
the front portion, called the transept. The three Carrara marble
altars in this area along cost $15,000.000.
Sacred Heart was particularly helpful after the 1906 Earthquake,
providing food and shelter for the City's homeless. The Church sustained
little if any damage in the '06 quake. With shifting religious demographics,
we fast forward to the Quake of '89. The church came through with
only slight patches of fallen plaster from the highly ornamented
ceiling decorated with frescoes and Apostles. There are cracks,
but no plaster has fallen in the past eleven years--hence why the
protective netting is still in place today. The West side of the
bell tower also sustained a couple of cracks.
Through the next twelve years, the fate of the Church has volleyed
back and forth. Committees have started up and then faded, because
they never got anywhere. No real answers have ever come up. No real
fundraising strategy has ever been implemented. We, the parishioners,
have only gotten secondhand information passed down.
In 1997, a plan by the Marchese Co. was drawn up for alternate uses
and retrofitting. To date, the parishioners have never been allowed
to see this plan, though many have requested to at least look at
what was proposed at that time.
In the last months of 2001, surveys were passed out at Church. The
response from these surveys was resounding: people wanted the present
Church. But later at a "town hall meeting," it was decreed
that there was no way to save the Church, and we'd better go along
with the plan for housing and a small token place of worship--or
else the Parish would be closed.
We also have not been allowed to institute a viable retrofitting
fundraising plan. Our plight has not been brought to the community
to see where we could obtain major support to help save this unable-to-be-designated
landmark.
On December 14, 2001, it was officially announced that Archbishop
William J. Levada has finally decided to allow the parish itself
to continue to exist and remain operating. Nothing at that time
was stated as to the future of the church.
We need alternate use proposals to bring in sustainable funds to
keep the structure a part of the community. Suggestions from anyone
with community needs who could benefit from use of any of the facilities
are greatly welcomed.
For further information on how to get involved please
call 415-646-0429.
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