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Overview

San Francisco's Mission Congregational Church developed following the merger of two other churches in the city, the 3rd Congregational Church and Olivet Church in 1908. The unified flock erected this new church in 1911.

Building History

Plans for this Congregational Church were nearly completed in late 1908, according to the American Architect. It said in its issue of 12/23/1908: "The Mission Congregational Church has its plans practically finished, we understand, for a handsome edifice at the southeast corner of Nineteenth and Dolores Streets, facing Mission Park." (See "Building News," American Architect, 12/23/1908, p. 15.)

Mission Congregational church opened on 07/02/1911. The Pacific, a California Congregationalist publication said of the church in its issue of 07/05/1911: "The beautiful new edifice of Mission Congregational Church, San Francisco, was dedicated last Sunday afternoon, the sermon being given by the Rev. William Rader, pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church. Mr. Rader was pastor for ten years of the Third Congregational Church, which united with Olivet Church three years ago in the formation of the Mission Church. The Third Church dated frm 1863; Olivet from 1884. The union gave the united churches sufficient funds, along with waht was subscribied additionally by members and friends, supplemented by a grant of $5,000 and a loan of $5,000 form the Church Building Society, to erect a building which has cost up to date about $35,000. It is finished except as to the basement and the placing in the auditorium at a later date of a pipe organ. For this purpose there will be available, as soon as can be sold, the money from a lot in that part of the city which is held at $12,000. In the basement, which opens onto one of the streets in which the building is situate, there will be a gymnasium for boys, a men's club room, ladies' parlors, and dining hall and kitchen. The building in thoroughly modern--adapted to the work of a city church in this day and age of the world, and the pastor and people are to be congratulated in that they are thus equipped. The Rev. R.K. Ham, who has for three years led devotedly and ably in the work which has reached consummation in the dedication of the new edifice, will not, however, remain as pastor. He moves this week to 160 Santa Clara avenue, Oakland, where he will take for some time a needed rest before entering other work." (See "Dedication of Mission congregational Church," The Pacific, vol. LXI, no. 27, 07/05/1911, p. 10.)

Building Notes

It is possible that another site considered for the Mission Congregational Church was at the corner of 17th Street and Noe Streets in San Francisco. This donated site was returned to its owners in 11/1909. The San Francisco Call noted: "A resolution has been adopted by the Mission Congregational church authorizing the reconveyance of the southwest corner of Seventeenth and Noe streets to Jacob A. Fisher and James Coyle." (See "Contract Awarded for St. Francis Hospital, San Francisco Call, vol. 106, no. 163, 11/10/1909, p. 16.) A 10/1909 advertisement indicated that the Mission Congregational Church preceding the one built at 19th and Dolores Streets was located at 17th and Noe Streets. (See "Church Services," San Francisco Call, vol. 106, no. 125, 10/03/1909, p. 45.)

Brick for the walls of Mission Congregational Church came from the Los Angeles manufacturer, the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company. The periodical, Brick, published in Chicago, IL, said in its June 1910 issue: "The United Materials Company, San Francisco agency for the Los Angeles (Cal.) Pressed Brick Co. is receiving awards on a number of buildings in San Francisco. Contracts have been awarder the company for supplying red pressed brick for the Mission Congregational Church in San Francisco...." (See "Trade Review," Brick, vol. XXXII, no. 6, 06/1910, p. 318.)

Alteration

Jensen Architects renovated the former church to accommodate the Children's Day School Middle School. This renovation was completed in 05/2015.

PCAD id: 23182