Overview

In the wake of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, the architectural tandem of O'Brien and Werner designed the Valencia Theatre to be seismically resistant. It hosted live performances for its first seven years before shifting to a program of movies by 1915. In 1928, the Greek Orthodox Church moved into the building and used it until it was damage seriously during the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989.

Building History

The Valencia Theatre supported its own stage company--the Valencia Stock Company--when it opened in 1908. During the span 1908 until 1915, it accommodated live theatre and vaudeville and seated 1,700 guests. Writing on the Cinema Treasures.org website, historian Joe Vogel wrote in 2009: "In the trade journal The Moving Picture World, July 24, 1915, under the heading 'Other San Francisco Items' it says: 'The Valencia Theatre has discontinued vaudeville and is now showing moving pictures exclusively.'" (See Cinema Treasures.org, "Valencia Theater," accessed 03/16/2022.)

The Greek Orthodox Church purchased the Valencia Theatre in 1928, and transformed it into its Cathedral of the Annunciation.

Building Notes

The tobacco producer of Between the Acts Little Cigars distributed a series of cigarette cards called "Theatres Old and New" and one of the cards featured was that of the "The Valencia Theatre, San Francisco, Cal."

Demolition

The Valencia Theatre / Cathedral of the Annunciation sustained significant damage in the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 10/17/1989. It was demolished soon thereafter.

PCAD id: 14437