“Did you know that Saint Gabriel Roman Catholic Church started in a hardware store?” That’s right. This magnificent church wasn’t always the grand structure you see before you. In 1941 Archbishop John J Mitty established Saint Gabriel the Archangel parish. Father George J Bedford became the first pastor. The first mass was held in a hardware store at 44th Avenue and Taraval Street. It seated only 139 people. The parishioners affectionately called themselves “the hardware store people”. Can you imagine?
Saint Gabriel Roman Catholic Church wasn’t always surrounded by homes and streets. Back then the area consisted mostly of sand dunes. No streets sidewalks or streetlights existed. Father Bedford’s congregation was small. There were only 1876 people and 536 families in the area. The average Sunday mass attendance was 625.
But this fledgling community had big dreams. They launched a successful building fund campaign. Construction of the church began in November 1941. It was completed and dedicated by Archbishop Mitty on May 31 1942.
Under Monsignor Bedford’s leadership Saint Gabriel Roman Catholic Church grew rapidly. As new homes replaced the sand dunes the parish population soared. It reached 4550 people in just six years. Wings were added to the church in 1947 increasing seating capacity to 600. A major remodel in 1973 boosted seating to 800. This is the capacity we see today.
The parish also built a school in February 1948. It opened with four grades and a kindergarten. The Sisters of Mercy taught the children. At its peak Saint Gabriel School had 24 classrooms and 1200 students. It was the largest Catholic grammar school west of the Mississippi. Imagine the energy and excitement in those classrooms.
The first clergy residence was a simple apartment. Later it moved to a private home. Finally in 1949 a rectory was built. In 1953 the auditorium was completed. It was named Bedford Hall in honor of Monsignor Bedford. This is a testament to his contribution to this community.
Today Saint Gabriel Roman Catholic Church stands as a testament to faith perseverance and community. It represents the growth transformation and enduring spirit of San Francisco. From a small group in a hardware store to a vibrant parish it continues to thrive. It serves approximately 1450 families from various backgrounds. Saint Gabriel Roman Catholic Church is a place where many cultures come together. It’s a place of worship hope and community. A beautiful reminder of a journey from sand dunes to a significant landmark.