Gazing at Saint Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, one might wonder about the stories held within its walls. Saint Thomas the Apostle Church stands as a testament to the growth of San Francisco. Its history is intertwined with the expansion of the Richmond District. In the early 1920s, the area was just sand dunes. But as homes began to spring up, the need for a spiritual center emerged. On December 21, 1922, ground was broken for the church. Father Thomas A. Crimmins became the first pastor. The original structure accommodated a modest 292 people. As the Richmond District continued to grow, so did the congregation of Saint Thomas the Apostle. By 1929, the church needed to expand. Father James P. Moran, the second pastor, led the effort. Parishioners came together and agreed to enlarge the church. The expansion, completed in 1930, increased the capacity to 750. A curious detail about Saint Thomas the Apostle is its silent steeple. There is no bell. It is said that those navigating the nearby shipping lanes objected to a bell. They feared the fog would obscure the sound, making it difficult to distinguish between the buoy bells and the church bell. Before the parish school was built, the religious education of children was a major concern. The Sisters of the Holy Family stepped in to teach the children their faith. Many long-time parishioners remember these dedicated Sisters. In 1946, Father Stephen F. Barron became the administrator. He saw the need for a school and initiated its construction. The school, along with a convent, opened in the fall of 1948. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet took on the responsibility of educating the children. They were later joined by lay teachers, continuing the school’s legacy. Over the decades, Saint Thomas the Apostle has seen many changes and leaders. Msgr. Michael Harriman oversaw improvements and established a Chinese school. Father Kirby Hanson served as pastor from 1994 to 2001. Father Dan Maguire commissioned the celebration of the parish’s 80th anniversary. Under Father John J. Sakowski, St. Thomas the Apostle merged with St. Monica Parish, creating a vibrant, diverse community. Today, it stands as one of the most diverse parishes in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
50 Fremont Center
Gazing up at 50 Fremont Center, one might wonder about the stories it holds. 50 Fremont Center stands tall at