Saints Peter and Paul Church
Categories: Elementary Schools, Churches, Middle Schools & High Schools [Edit]
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill666 Filbert Street
(between Columbus Ave & Powell St)
San Francisco, CA 94133 (415) 421-5219
10 reviews
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA
"First and foremost, any church that has a musician cover Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock" during offertory is OK in my book! Last night, as the…" read more »
21 Reviews for Saints Peter and Paul Church
I'm one of the tourists that just sits there with her mouth open. San Francisco needs more places like this-silent, grand, historic, haunting . . .
I've only been inside once, but I've sat outside and admired for hours on end. It's perfectly situated, with the pretty park in front, Coit Tower in the background, and the smell of North Beach food a few feet away.
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OK, I am a tad biased - I was married here.
Simply put, regardless of your beliefs, it is unbelievably pleasing to the eye, and being able to hear the Mass in Mandarin or Italian really does make it a spiritual home to people from around the globe.
Going to a Catholic Church reminds me of Pee Wee sports. If my parents would have signed me up for either, it would have saved me some embarrassment in the long run.
I'm a Christian (attend services a few times a month), but not a Catholic, which means that when I want to attend mass and light a prayer candle for someone, I get to awkwardly stumble my way through the motions. Holy water, check. Lunge at row of pew, check. Bruise my shin on the padded kneeling bench, check.
The gorgeous interior makes me think I should be tithing more at my own church. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!
Oh, and I felt a little better when they were discussing the Book of Matthew and offered the following rhyme:
"Little Johnny went to church, each and every Sunday.
But Little Johnny went to Hell, for what he did on Monday."
That leveled the playing field.
At the end of mass, I was able to light a candle and pause briefly. This was what I had come for.
I think I'm finally getting the hang of this whole sing, repeat, kneel, stand, repeat, sing, sit, kneel, stand, greet, repeat, kneel Catholic thing.
Peas be with you.
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Hands down, this church is hauntingly beautiful and allows every person to feel at peace. There are so many statues and beautiful stained glass windows. The church was warm and huge! Parking was in the little ball court to the left of the entrance.
I came here w/ the fiance for Easter mass. To be honest, this was the first time we had attend any mass since moving to SF last year. Our last Easter mass (well, mass period) was at St. Louis cathedral in New Orleans 2007. St. Louis always has a special place in my heart and I was hoping to find another religious home here.
We came around 7:32 am for 730 mass, and already the procession and lighting of the candles passed! Darn we didn't think we were THAT late, but maybe mass started early. They do seem to have loads of masses, perhaps back to back.
Unfortunately we didn't sit in the middle and opt for the side - a column was blocking our view of the altar. The mass itself was very speedy and not much hymns. I was amazed but saddened that there wasn't much singing but the priest did convey a personal message of welcoming out of towners and praising them of keeping the faith on such a holy day.
I absolutely loved the aesthetics of Ss Peter & Paul, but the human element was lacking. I adore that this is a community church, w/ the park in the front and families enjoying their morning, walking about. It took us a whole hour to get here, but for Easter mass, it was worth it.
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This church would feel so much more complete if Mary would show up.
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This is an absolutely beautiful church. It definitely has some sentimental value to me but even speaking objectively, it is such a special place. Even non-Catholics should be able to appreciate it. It is a very lovely, sacred place. And yes, inside is as wonderful as the outside for those who are wondering.
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I love coming here! Maybe because I love North Beach is part of the reason but the church is a wonderful space and the parishioners are very friendly and nice. It is also one of only 2 churches in San Francisco that offers Italian masses so that makes me extra happy. I also love that they offer candles to light, the smaller churches near my house do not have candles.
The only downfall is all the tourists that come here. The come in the middle of mass but they are still respectful.
This is one of San Francisco's gems. Following its renovation, the interior is grand but preserves a sense of intimacy. Its acoustics allow just a little of the outside noise in, really giving a feeling that it is part of the vibrant North Beach neighborhood. I do wish to offer a bit of advice to potential couples planning their weddings at this gorgeous landmark. If the office wants to assign Father Andrew Ng to your ceremony, either demand a different priest or start looking for another church. This megalomaniac has hijacked weddings at the church without respect for the couples, their families or guests. If you are planning a wedding, ask to speak directly with Lola Simi, their wedding coordinator. This North Beach resident (and the church organist) has decades of experience and is an absolute joy to work with.
I am not the type of gal to go to church. My mom made me go so many times growing up that I feel I have had more than enough Catholic services to tide me over for this lifetime. That being said, I do not generally enter any church, no matter how nice it may look, just to see the inside.
However, my friends got married here, which gave me a good excuse to finally see if the inside of this building is as beautiful as the outside. It is. And they have services in several languages to appease all of the surrounding neighbors - English, Italian, Latin and Chinese (Mandarin? Cantonese? It just said Chinese on the sign).
If I ever decided that a proper Catholic church wedding would suit me (not likely), I would definitely keep this spot in consideration. Minus two stars because, well, its a church. Plus one star because it didn't crumble to the ground when I passed the threshold.
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Wandered in here the other day with some out-of-town friends... well, actually, we wandered outside first, and peeked in and saw there was a wedding going on, so we didn't barge in (although there weren't any signs telling us NOT to either, which seemed a little strange...). Came back another day, and walked through the inside which was lovely in a sacred place kind of way. Very majestic and impressive, and more so thanks to it being right next to Washington Square park. A sight to be seen while walking around North Beach!
BTW, I don't know about the priest writing gay-bashing letters, but I DID see a pamphlet for a gay-lesbian Catholic support group; on the front it said, "The church welcomes all her children." I actually took a copy, not because I'm gay, lesbian or Catholic, but just because I've never actually seen printed materials in a Catholic church openly welcoming gays and lesbians.
This church is beautiful. Worth visiting.
Never been inside but the outside is beautiful. Gives me a modern reminiscence of Claude Monet's Rouen Cathedral paintings. I'll be going to a friends wedding here shortly. But five stars for the fact that a church has an address of "666" :)
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This church is beautiful inside. I've been to mass here a few times and the service is pretty good. I always judge mass by it's music and homilies and here they do a pretty good job. I think music could be a little better, but the site of sitting in this amazing church makes up for it.
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This is the most beautiful catholic church in san francisco! i always thought it was ironic that the address for this church was '666 Filbert'. i mean, what exactly are they are trying to say? i miss living in NB because i hardly go to mass anymore. the most beautiful ceremony i've ever been to was here- and purely by accident... a friend and i decided to go to church one sunday and walked into a mass being conducted in all-italian. we only understood the word 'cristo' but it was like being at the opera. very dramatic.
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A true sanctuary in one of the most hectic parts of the city. As I exited, a nun smiled at me as she passed by, and I couldn't help but feel at peace.
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Wandered inside the St Peter & Paul Church today and sat inside to admire at the beautiful interior and structure.
Decided to read up further on the church and here is a brief history overview:
The present church, with its twin lofty spires that soar 191 feet into the sky, was completed in 1924. For over a century, the church of SS. Peter and Paul has served parishioners, charmed the numerous tourists who visit it daily, and has been an inspiration to the members of the North Beach community.
This mosaic inscription placed just above the three entrances to the church connects the four large pillars upon which rest the symbols of the four Evangelists: Matthew (An angel), Mark (A lion), Luke (An ox) and John (An eagle). Original plans, regrettably laid away to rest, called for spectacular outdoor mosaics covering the entire facade. The twin spires (191 feet) have become a landmark in the area. The church is 100 feet wide and 160 feet long. The magnificent rose window measures fourteen feet in diameter.
This is the most beautiful church I've been to in the City. The large marble center altar is ornate and lovely. Make sure to walk up to the front of the church to check it out, and while you are up there turn around and look up and behind you at the rose window. It is the most impressive stained glass window in a church with many beautiful stained glass panes. Take some time to look around at the mosaics and sculptures tucked away in unexpected corners of the church.
They also have candles you can light for people, which I always like. This place is definitely worth a visit when you are in North Beach. If you are tired and sick of people and noise, step in this quiet haven for a few minutes and get in touch with whatever benevolent force it is you choose to identify with.
next to Saint Ignatius ... I like this ... though does not give me the grandiose feeling I used to feel in Saint Ignatius ...
in the last 5 years ... I have only been here once or twice on a XMAS eve ... for the XMAS choir carols ....
being a single mom (and funded by my Catholic parents), i had to comply with the tradition, of at least, dragging my little son to Xmas mass ...
this church has wonderful XMAS music ... though my son embarrasingly snored one XMAS eve ... while i prodded him to be alert and wakeup,
... he finally conceded to give his full attention ..
an hour later (BTW, XMAS midnite mass at most church takes soooo FOREVER! ... the songs, and long-drawn homilies!) he pleaded and pleaded and pleaded by the Offretory portion, pouting, "Can we go home, now?"
.. to which I could not deny him bedtime in this ungodly hour ...
later as we walked back to the car he asks me nonchallantly ... " Well, mom, it does not make sense ...it does not make sense anyway .." ... and I say, "What?" ... he says, "snakes, snakes, snakes don't talk" ... then I got confused and said, "What?"
"Well, if Adam and Eve were the first man and woman, and woman was tempted by the snake, ... but HOW? snakes don't talk?"
... I realized ... this little goose is not a slacker after all, he must have listened through the entire half of the mass, and even remembered details from my mom's bible stories! ...
Good choir musique though, love choir musique @Xmas eve !
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I've never been inside, but I always admire it on my way to brunch at Mama's on Washington Square.
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beautiful church in a beautiful location.
and there's parking!
I have a special place in my heart for this Church as this is where my husband & I were married. Even aside from that, it's just a beautitul place.
And - they have a GREAT Columbus Day Festival! A total hoot. Where else can you sit at a blackjack table next to a priest? They serve fantastic italian food, serve wine & beer and have a ton of raffles. It was great - went to Mass and then downstairs to drink and gamble. Perfect!
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