Saint Cecilia Roman Catholic Church

Gazing at Saint Cecilia Roman Catholic Church, imagine the sand dunes that once stood here. Saint Cecilia Roman Catholic Church’s story begins not with grandeur, but with a simple two-story house at 1215 Taraval Street in 1917. Archbishop Edward J. Hanna established the parish, appointing Father John P. Tobin as its first pastor. This humble house, amidst sand dunes and vegetable gardens, served as both church and rectory. The upper floor held living quarters, while the ground floor was transformed into a makeshift chapel. The kitchen served double duty as sacristy and baptistry. Can you picture Father Tobin celebrating the first mass in this intimate setting? Saint Cecilia Roman Catholic Church’s boundaries stretched from the ocean to Twin Peaks, encompassing a sparsely populated area of just fifty-nine Catholic families. Yet, from this small start, vital parish societies like the League of the Sacred Heart and the Holy Name Society blossomed. The congregation quickly outgrew the Taraval Street house. Father Tobin secured a loan and purchased land at Fifteenth Avenue and Taraval Street. Mayor James Rolph Jr. donated the old Parkside School building. The parishioners, led by Father Tobin, converted it into a temporary church. The Parkside Fire Department donated a bell, a symbol of the community’s support for Saint Cecilia Roman Catholic Church. By 1926, the need for a larger church led to the purchase of property on Vicente Street. The Parish Hall was relocated there to serve as yet another temporary church. Father Tobin’s vision extended beyond the immediate needs. He secured the land that would eventually house the entire parochial plant – a testament to his foresight. He passed away in 1929 and was laid to rest among the poor he served at Holy Cross Cemetery. Father John Harnett took the reins as the second pastor. During the Depression, he oversaw the construction of St. Cecilia Grammar School at Eighteenth Avenue and Vicente. He invited the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary to staff the school. A rectory and a convent followed, completing the parish complex. Monsignor Harold E. Collins, the third pastor, further expanded the school, added a lower church, and finally, realized the dream of a permanent church building. This Spanish Colonial style church, with its reinforced concrete structure and intricate details, was dedicated in 1956. It stands as a symbol of the parish’s growth and enduring faith. Saint Cecilia Roman Catholic Church has witnessed not only the changing needs of its congregation but also the transformation of the surrounding neighborhood, from sand dunes to a thriving community.