A Parish Built on Sand Dunes
On January 7, 1917, Archbishop Edward J. Hanna established the new Parish of St. Cecilia in San Francisco and appointed Reverend John P. Tobin as its first pastor. Father Tobin had spent fourteen years as assistant pastor of Mission Dolores before being sent to what was then little more than sand dunes and vegetable gardens in the Parkside District. The boundaries of the new parish stretched from the ocean on the west to Twin Peaks on the east, and from Pacheco Street on the north to Balboa Terrace on the south, an expanse that included what are now St. Francis Wood, Merritt Terrace, West Portal, Forest Hill, Sunset Terrace, and Parkside. By the founding count, fifty-nine Catholic families lived within those boundaries.
The first task was simply finding a place to celebrate Mass. Through the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. N. Swift, a residence at 1215 Taraval Street was obtained. A small altar was fashioned in what had been a dining room, and the kitchen became a combination sacristy and baptistry. Soon the parish outgrew even that two-story house. On February 23, 1917, Father Tobin borrowed $10,300 to purchase a sand lot at the corner of Fifteenth Avenue and Taraval Street. The Honorable James Rolph, Jr., Mayor of San Francisco, donated an old two-room building that had once been the Parkside School, and the men of the parish transformed it into a modest devotional church, with a bell donated by the Parkside Fire Department. On June 15, 1917, one day after the completion of the Twin Peaks Tunnel, Archbishop Hanna solemnly dedicated the first temporary church of Saint Cecilia. Its construction cost $3,451.24.
Two Temporary Churches and a Permanent Home
The sand lots gave way to a permanent parish. By 1926, two sites were under consideration, and the property on Vicente Street between Seventeenth and Eighteenth Avenues was purchased from Mr. Larsen for $65,000. The current church, school, convent, and rectory all sit on that original tract. In 1927, the parish hall was moved from Sixteenth Avenue and Taraval Street to the new property and renovated into a temporary church with seating for 732 people, blessed by Archbishop Hanna on June 19, 1928.
Father Tobin died on Good Friday morning, March 29, 1929, and was buried with the poor he had served at Laguna Honda Home in Holy Cross Cemetery. Father John Harnett, born in Ireland in 1873, was appointed the second pastor in June 1929 and immediately began the building program. In 1930, in the depths of the Depression, he built St. Cecilia Grammar School on the northeast corner of Eighteenth Avenue and Vicente Street, a two-story reinforced concrete building designed by architect Henry A. Minton. The school cost $80,000, and a rectory accommodating the pastor, three assistant pastors, and a guest room was built the same year for $39,000. The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary were invited to staff the school and lived in the residence at 2562 Seventeenth Avenue until their new convent was completed in 1941, a three-story concrete building designed for twenty sisters.
Father Harnett died on May 19, 1946, leaving a beautiful school, convent, and rectory, and a considerable sum of money for his successor. On December 29, 1946, Monsignor Harold E. Collins became the third pastor. He expanded the school with eight additional classrooms, a kindergarten, auditorium, library, clinic, and modern cafeteria, and installed a steel tabernacle that had been a gift from parishioner Chris McKeon as a memorial to the men of St. Cecilia who had died in World War II. He also paved a parking lot at Seventeenth Avenue and Vicente Street.
The Church on Seventeenth Avenue
The present church was completed under Monsignor Collins's direction. Archbishop John J. Mitty granted permission to build on January 1, 1952. Two fundraising drives brought in pledges of $350,000 and $300,000, and architect Martin Rist designed a Colonial Spanish church crowned with variegated Spanish tile. Construction began on June 1, 1954, the cornerstone was laid on May 13, 1956, and Archbishop Mitty solemnly dedicated the new church on Pentecost Sunday, May 20, 1956. Bishop Merlin J. Guilfoyle consecrated it on December 18, 1964.
The building is constructed of reinforced concrete with cast-stone trim and a random-laid Spanish tile roof. A tower rises above the main body of the church, capped with colored Spanish tile. Interior walls are travertine stucco and acoustical plaster, with oak trim and a paneled wainscot running around the nave and sanctuary. The ceiling between the steel trusses is finished with colored acoustical panels. Floors in the aisles are carpeted and terrazzo lies under the pews, with marble flagging in the narthex. Radiant floor heating runs throughout. The nave seats 900, and an additional 80 may be seated in the Our Lady's Chapel. Monsignor Collins retired in 1976 after thirty years as pastor and died on December 16, 1980, at Nazareth House in Terra Linda. The Monsignor Collins School Fund, established in his memory, has grown to over one million dollars.
Mass and the Sacraments
Mass is offered on Monday through Thursday at 9:00 AM, on Friday at 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM (except on holidays), on Saturday at 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM vigil, and on Sunday at 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 AM. Every Mass is livestreamed. The 9:30 AM Sunday liturgy is the Family Mass, and it is followed by Coffee and Donuts Fellowship in the Lower Church, hosted in turn by parish ministries throughout the year.
The seven sacraments are central to parish life. Infant baptisms are usually celebrated on Sunday afternoons at 1:00 PM, with each family having a separate baptism. Parents and sponsors attend a required class held on the third Wednesday of each month. Those interested must be registered and practicing members of the parish. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, welcomes adults who wish to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. The process moves through Inquiry, the Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogia, with the sacraments of initiation received at the Easter Vigil. Children in the parish school or in the Children's Faith Formation program prepare for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation in two-year programs, with a Confirmation retreat each January at the CYO Camp in Occidental.
Engaged couples preparing for marriage are invited to participate in a parish program coordinated by the witnessing priest, alongside an Archdiocesan program. The Anointing of the Sick is available to anyone struggling with illness and may be requested by calling the parish office during the day or the priest on duty in an emergency. Funeral arrangements are made through the parish office, and the Funeral Sacristan ministry assists the priest at Funeral Masses, which are usually celebrated in the morning. The Knights of St. Cecilia, the eucharistic ministers, lectors, the adult choir, the Legion of Mary, and the Saint Vincent de Paul Society each play a part in the pastoral rhythm of the parish.
The Rosary, Adoration, and the Many Devotions
The church is open for prayer Monday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, thanks to the Knights of St. Cecilia, who keep watch in one-hour shifts. The Rosary is prayed in the Main Church Monday through Saturday at 8:35 AM. Eucharistic Adoration is offered every Friday after the 9:00 AM Mass, with the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Prayer for Priests at 3:00 PM and Benediction at 5:15 PM, just before the evening Mass. Our Lady of Perpetual Help is honored on Wednesday at 9:30 AM and 5:15 PM in the Main Church. Personal devotions are accommodated throughout the day.
The parish also gathers for Bible sharing. An English Bible Sharing Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month and a Chinese Bible Sharing Group meets on the last Thursday of each month, both for one hour on Zoom and both led by Terence Leung. The groups read a scripture passage, share perspectives, and pray together, and the Chinese group welcomes parishioners who share in Cantonese and Mandarin. The Patricians, a lay discussion group, meets on the last Friday of each month at 7:30 PM with two speakers and time for sharing.
The Collins Center
The Monsignor Harold T. Collins Center, located at 2560 18th Avenue next to the former convent, is the social, educational, and recreational hub of the parish. Monsignor James P. McKay opened the center on September 17, 1979, after renovating the lower church, and Sister Mary Jeanne Cusick, SNJM, was its first director. Today the doors open at 1:00 PM on weekdays, with activities running from 1:30 to 3:30 PM. Mondays feature Pedro computer help on the second and fourth Mondays. Tuesdays offer BINGO, French, and Italian. Thursdays bring exercise, bridge, and knitting and crochet. Fridays include the League of the Sacred Heart on the first Friday, the Saint Martha Prayer Group on the second and fourth Fridays, movies on the second and fourth Fridays, and a current events discussion on the third Friday. The exercise class meets on Thursday mornings at 11:00 AM, and the Saint Martha Prayer Group gathers at 8:30 AM on the second and fourth Fridays. Diane Weinkauf, the Collins Center Coordinator, can be reached at 415-566-2690 on afternoons when the center is open.
St. Cecilia School
St. Cecilia School is a Catholic elementary school of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, serving children from Transitional Kindergarten through eighth grade. Under the leadership of the Sisters of the Holy Names, a staff of fifty-three provides a Catholic education for approximately 600 students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. The school aims to develop students who are active Christians, lifelong learners, socially responsible citizens, effective communicators, and problem solvers. Mrs. Monica Casey serves as Interim School Principal. The school is located at 660 Vicente Street, San Francisco, CA 94116, and can be reached at 415-731-8400.
Children's Faith Formation classes for students in public or non-Catholic private schools, or who are home schooled, are held on Sunday mornings from 8:30 to 9:15 AM in the Collins Center and Convent at 2560 18th Avenue, with families encouraged to attend the 9:30 AM Family Mass. Sacramental preparation for First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation follows a two-year curriculum. High school youth are invited to participate in parish life as members of the Confirmation team, lectors, eucharistic ministers, CYO coaches, or as members of parish organizations and ministries.
Becoming Catholic and Adult Formation
The parish welcomes newcomers, returning Catholics, and those exploring the Catholic faith through several paths. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is the formal process for adults who wish to become Catholic. Deacon Iwan Soegiharto is the parish contact for OCIA. Adult formation for Confirmation, First Eucharist, and First Reconciliation is coordinated by Deacon Rory Desmond. The Newcomers section of the parish offers ways to register as a parishioner, to return to the practice of the Catholic faith, or to inquire about becoming Catholic, and the parish points visitors to Catholics Come Home, a non-profit organization that supports those returning to active participation in the Church.
Men and women preparing for marriage in the Catholic Church attend the parish's marriage preparation program alongside an Archdiocesan program. The Pastoral Council advises the pastor on the needs of the parishioners and seeks a shared vision in light of the Gospel. Members of the Stewardship Committee help the pastor develop stewardship within the parish and support the annual Stewardship Renewal. The Finance Council meets monthly to examine the parish budget and monitor income and expenditures, and prepares the annual report that is mailed to all parishioners.
Ministers and Ethnic Communities
The parish is shaped by a long list of lay ministries. The Adult Choir rehearses each Thursday at 7:00 PM in the Green Room and provides music for weekend liturgies under the direction of Russ Ferreira. Greeters welcome parishioners at all four entrance doors. Ushers offer hospitality and take up the collection. Eucharistic ministers distribute Holy Communion. Lectors are commissioned through the Archdiocesan training program. The Streamers ministry livestreams Mass on weekends and by request for weddings and funerals.
The Knights of St. Cecilia, founded in 1976, are a parish ministry of men and women, primarily retirees, who keep the church open for prayer and visitation each weekday and Saturday. They assist visitors, help the priests, replace votive candles, and check the pews and confessionals. They are not affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. The League of the Sacred Heart is a women's group that cares for the altar and its appointments, and the Legion of Mary meets every Wednesday at 7:30 PM in the Serra Room, bringing Holy Communion to the homebound and to those in convalescent facilities.
Several ministries serve the parish's cultural communities. The Chinese Ministry fosters friendship among Chinese parishioners and offers Chinese RCIA classes, Bible sharing, prayer meetings, and Chinese language classes for school children. The Filipino Group supports parish culture and sponsors the annual Santo Nino Novena in December. The Indonesian Prayer Group gathers monthly. The Italian Catholic Federation Branch No. 365 meets in the parish and sponsors social events and supports religious and charitable causes. The Young Men's Institute, with its motto Pro Deo, Pro Patria, supports worthwhile Catholic programs. The Young Lady's Institute promotes unity, sisterly love, and protection, and donates to Bay Area charities. The Men of St. Cecilia brings fathers of school children together to serve the parish and school, and the Mothers' Club of the school provides spiritual, educational, and social activities and sponsors fundraisers. The Young Families Group fosters community among families with children from newborn to five years old, hosting Halloween, the Feast of St. Nicholas, and Spring Playdate gatherings. CYO Athletics offers basketball, volleyball, baseball, soccer, and track for over 325 young participants under more than 100 coaches. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society provides assistance to parish families in need, and the Parish Green Team, inspired by Pope Francis's Laudato Si, looks for ways to care for creation in parish life and at home.
Reaching Out
The parish participates in the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal, which supports the works of the Church across San Francisco. The 2026 parish obligation is $130,239. The 2025 goal was reached at 100 percent. Online giving is available through the parish's Online Giving portal, where parishioners can set up recurring gifts, review their giving history, and adjust contributions. Annual financial reports are made available to parishioners, along with the weekly bulletin, which carries parish news, Mass intentions, and announcements.
The church is located at 2555 17th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116, between Ulloa and Vicente Streets. The parish office is open weekdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. In an emergency, a priest may be reached by calling the rectory at any time. The Archdiocese of San Francisco has filed for Chapter 11, and the parish has shared the Archdiocesan communications and the letter from Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone with parishioners to keep them informed. The parish continues to operate normally, with all Mass, school, and sacramental activities continuing as before.
Visiting the Parish
First-time visitors are welcome at any of the weekend Masses. Mass is offered on Saturday evening at 5:00 PM and on Sunday morning at 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 AM. The 9:30 AM liturgy is the Family Mass and is followed by Coffee and Donuts Fellowship in the Lower Church. Confessions are heard on Saturday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 PM, and by appointment. The church itself is open for prayer and visitation Monday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, thanks to the Knights of St. Cecilia. The patron of the parish, Saint Cecilia, is celebrated on November 22. For more information, the parish office can be reached at 415-664-8481 or by email at stcecilia@stcecilia.com.