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Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco was formally organized on July 23, 1854. The first sanctuary was built and dedicated on January 14, 1855 on Bush Street between Sansome and Montgomery, in what is now the financial district of the city.
The first minister of Calvary was Dr. William Anderson Scott, who came to San Francisco from New Orleans. A powerful and sometimes controversial preacher, Dr. Scott filled the 1,500 seat sanctuary Sunday after Sunday.
He was outspoken in opposition to the rise of vigilantes. During the Civil War he refused to take sides and prayed for both presidents, resulting in his resignation in 1861. After the war, he returned to San Francisco and founded St. John's Presbyterian Church. He was also instrumental in the founding of San Francisco Theological Seminary.
In 1869, Calvary commissioned the construction of a new building for the growing and dynamic congregation on the corner of Geary and Powell Streets. It was described at the time as "one of the largest and most elegant structures for worship of God on the Pacific Coast."
In 1904, the structure at Geary and Powell was moved to its present location at the corner of Jackson and Fillmore Streets. Standing on bedrock it survived the terrible earthquake of 1906 and was the temporary home for two other churches, Temple Emanu-el and the Superior Court.
A new organ was installed in the sanctuary in 1928. Currently the four-manual Swain and Kates/Aeolian organ has six divisions, 108 ranks and over 6,000 pipes.
A chapel, library, and library lounge were added to the facilities in 1963. The chapel wall has four true frescoes by Lucienne Bloch which depict four of the Reformers: Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, and Huldreich Zwingli.
In 1980 a new education building replaced the section of the original building which had been used for church school and other activities.
History Timeline
1854
Calvary formally organized on July 23,1854 with 63 members, including the mayor of San Francisco. Property was purchased on Bush Street between Sansome and Montgomery for $20,000, on which the first sanctuary was built and dedicated on January 14, 1855.
1867
Property at Geary and Powell (currently the site of the St. Francis Hotel) purchased and plans made for building "one of the largest and most elegant structures for worship of God on the Pacific Coast." The new building was completed in 1869 at a cost of $180,000.
1900
Decision made to move to Fillmore and Jackson. Powell Street land sold for $140,000; but, as the old building is demolished, "workmen are to mark each brick, piece of interior wood and cast irons so that they can be used in duplicating the sanctuary as nearly as possible. During the interim the congregation worshiped at St. John's Church at California and Octavia.
1904
New sanctuary and Christian education buildings dedicated on February 7 with the same familiar pews, balcony supports and organ casework but with beautiful new stained glass windows.
1906
The new church, built on bedrock, stands practically undamaged after the April 18 earthquake. Some other churches and Temple Emmanuel meet at Calvary. The basement is turned into a court room for the Superior Court to use.
1928
Sanctuary lengthened the width of one lot on Jackson Street to accommodate a new Aeolian pipe organ. The old organ (which had also been in the Powell Street church) is sent to St. Mary's College in Moraga where it is still in use.
1963
Kit Stewart Chapel and Library Complex completed. The 170 seat Chapel has 4 larger than life frescoes of Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox and Huldreich Zwingli, by Lucienne Bloch; and faceted stained glass windows with the Celtic Cross and representations of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and the twelve disciples.
1978
The Sanctuary is placed on the National Registry of Historic Places and also designated as a San Francisco Landmark.
1980
New Education Building completed, with modern nursery and church school facilities and the Calvary Presbyterian Church Nursery School.
1988
Major renovations made at a cost of $1,000,000 which included new lighting sound system, safety features, painting, carpeting enlarged wooden platform, restored stained glass windows, changes in the choir loft, a new organ console and the addition of a rank of exposed organ pipes.
2002
Year-long seismic/renovation project is completed. Besides structurally strengthening the sanctuary, work included important safety features, adding meeting rooms and the creation of the Atrium, which exposes the original bricks from the Union Square building.
2004
Calvary celebrates its 150th Anniversary
Please feel free to visit Calvary anytime to view a full photo history of Calvary's church buildings since 1854. Calvary also hosts and open houre/guided tour of its sanctuary and chapel during the annual Fillmore Jazz Festival, which takes place in late June/early July. |
