San Francisco - Old St Mary's Church

Old St Mary's Church (on the corner of Grant Avenue and California Street) is the oldest Catholic church in San Francisco. Built in 1854 it was badly damaged in the 1906 earthquake and also by a serious fire 60 years later. Having been restored its appearance today is very much as it was in San Francisco's early days. Originally a cathedral, it is now simply a parish church. The new St Mary's Cathedral is situated in another part of town, on Cathedral Hill.

Carved above the clock dial is the admonition: "Son Observe the Time and Fly from Evil". In addition to the church the clergy house is also noteworthy. Designed by the New York architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, it was built in 1964.