Towering over the streets and alleyways of North Beach, the dignified spires of the Saints Peter and Paul Church are a defining element of our storied neighborhood. They keep faithful watch over Washington Square, the state’s oldest park, like aging sentinels, imbuing the square with a palpable sense of history. Along with the clanging of the cable cars and the mournful sounding of foghorns in the bay, the church bells are an integral part of our unique aural landscape, keeping us ever mindful of the special place we inhabit.

The Interior Of The Spectacular Saints Peter And Paul Church

Completed in 1924, the church replaced the original Saints Peter and Paul Church on the corner of Filbert Street and Grant Avenue (then Dupont Street); along with most of the neighborhood, it burned to the ground in the fire and earthquake of 1906. Over the last century, Saints Peter and Paul has become one of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhood landmarks, and along with Coit Tower, the church has come to signify North Beach for legions of visitors. One of the most widely recognized and admired churches in the country, it has come to be referred to as “the Italian cathedral of the West Coast.”

I recently had the pleasure of touring the church with my friend David Burbank, who has acted as Sacristan for Saints Peter and Paul Church for the last decade. When the day of the tour arrived, it was the height of Fleet Week, the weather was achingly perfect, and the Blue Angels were roaring through the sky overhead. Admittedly, it was an odd backdrop for a tour of a 92-year-old Catholic church. But anticipation was high–and it made for an unforgettable experience.

For the whole story, along with more great photos, visit the Belle Cora website.