“S C B” the initials above the entrance doors to St. Charles Borromeo silently greet visitors. It stands as a testament to faith and history. Welcome. Today, we will explore its story.
St. Charles Borromeo was founded as a parish on March 27, 1887. Archbishop Patrick William Riordan established it. Rev. Patrick J. Cummins was the first pastor. The first mass was held in Cannon’s Hall above the police station. Imagine that for a moment.
The first church was designed by J. F. Devlin. It was dedicated on May 22, 1888. St. Charles School started in 1894. Architect Alvin Cook modified the church basement for classrooms. The church and school shared the same building until the 1906 earthquake. The earthquake damaged the structure.
The building was redesigned. The original square cupola was removed. The school expanded to fill the entire building. The church stands as a splendid example of 1888 architecture even now.
The present St. Charles Borromeo church building was designed in the mission style. Architect Leo Devlin designed it. It is a frame and stucco structure. Archbishop Edward J. Hanna dedicated it on November 11, 1916. Initially, the church windows were plain.
In 1945, stained glass windows were approved. Carl Huneke from Century Stained Glass Studio created them. He finished the work by 1950. Huneke created over a thousand windows in his 30-year career. He rarely signed his work. Our Lady of Guadalupe window in the shrine of St. Rita is a signed piece.
The building you see today is of Romanesque architecture. It was dedicated in 1917. The church is constructed of Bedford Stone. The clock faces are made of crushed glass. These were rescued from a red brick church destroyed by a tornado in 1916.
The bells in the tower were baptized. Charles is the largest bell with the deepest tone. Joseph is the middle size and tone. Mary is the smallest and highest pitched. The outside structure has changed slightly. A ramp was added on the west side. An expanded lower-level entrance was added on the east side. It leads to the café.
As you enter St. Charles Borromeo, notice the beveled glass wall. It separates the gathering space from the worship space. A parishioner crafted it during the 1992 renovation. The plaque on the back wall commemorates the pastors who served.
The blue clerestory windows depict the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries. The three front dome windows have Eucharistic significance. They draw attention to the altar at Mass. The side dome windows depict St. Margaret Mary Alacoque’s vision. It shows Jesus’ Sacred Heart on the east side. The west side shows the Blessed Virgin’s appearance to St. Bernadette at Lourdes, France.
Several items in the church have been refurbished. They found new life in the remodeled church. Part of the original altar from the third brick church of 1869 was restored. It was placed in the present church after the 1917 storm. The altar was placed in a parishioner’s home during the 1967 renovation. It was returned during the 1991 renovation.
The Tabernacle Light found its way to a private home in Chicago after the 1967 renovation. The owners returned it after learning of the bicentennial renovation. Before 1991, the baptismal area was in the bridal preparation room. The font now has prominence in the front of St. Charles Borromeo.
The Stations of the Cross were given a facelift. Muted tones enhance each piece. They begin on the left side facing the altar. They continue around the back through the vestibule. Then they go down the right side.
Many layers of paint were removed from the supporting pillars. This uncovered “scagliola.” It is a process done to plaster to imitate marble. The colors of the pillars set the tone for the church’s interior.
The Pipe Organ had served for many years. It was installed after the 1917 rebuild. The organ had a major renovation in the late 1990s. A Rededication Concert was held in September 1998.
The San Damiano Cross is modeled after a 12th-century cross. It is a hand-carved work of art. The Corpus is in three dimensions. It depicts Jesus as God radiating hope.
The statue of St. Philippine Duchesne honors the French nun. She served the people of St. Charles in the early 1800s. The Statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe is rich in symbolism. She is the Patroness of the Americas. The Pieta was added to the sanctuary after the renovation. The statue of St. Charles Borromeo was placed on the left side of the altar in 2017.
St. Charles Borromeo Church is a testament to faith. It is a cherished landmark. It is also a beautiful venue for weddings and special events. Its history and art offer a unique glimpse into San Francisco’s past.