Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church celebrates centennial celebration weekend

Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in San Francisco commemorated the 100th anniversary of its iconic church building, drawing parishioners, community members, and visitors to honor a century of faith.

While the parish itself dates back even further, the original church building was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and subsequently relocated to its current site in North Beach. Affectionately known as “The Italian Cathedral of the West,” Sts. Peter and Paul has since become a landmark of cultural and spiritual significance in San Francisco, welcoming generations of families through its doors. The Salesians of St. John Bosco have been a vital part of this parish’s story since 1897, when they were sent to North Beach to minister to the Italian community. 

On Saturday, November 9, a special Mass was held to honor couples who had been married at Sts. Peter and Paul over the years. During the Mass, a blessing was offered for all couples, both living and deceased, who had celebrated the sacrament of marriage at the parish. The church was filled with memories and familiar faces as parishioners gathered to celebrate the enduring legacy of love and faith nurtured by this community.

The anniversary celebrations continued on Sunday, November 10, with a Mass for the entire parish, celebrated by the Salesian Provincial for the Western United States, Father Mel Trinidad. At the beginning of the Mass, an anniversary plaque was blessed, commemorating the 100th year anniversary of the current building. 

Father Trinidad shared that he had a special connection to the celebration as he had been ordained a deacon in the Church.

“My dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate 100 years of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, this building, this beautiful structure, let us be reminded that this church…stands as a testament that the generosity of the faithful people of God over the years has sustained God’s love, God’s mercy and compassion present in this community and in all of us here today,” Father Trinidad told the faithful in his homily. “Thank you for sharing your gifts, and may God bless you all.”

Following the Mass, a reception was held in the parish hall, where the walls were adorned with photos capturing the church’s history. Among them were wedding photos dating back to the 1930s, reflecting the generations who have celebrated life’s most important moments at Sts. Peter and Paul. The display allowed parishioners to revisit memories and see how their stories intertwined with the parish’s legacy, providing a heartfelt tribute to the many lives touched by this community.

Angela Germano was one of many who came to celebrate the anniversary of their beloved parish, a spiritual home that has welcomed so many throughout the years.

Germano, a long-time parishioner and daily Mass-goer at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, shared with Catholic San Francisco that she was at the celebration that day not only because she was a parishioner, but because her family had been so involved over the years. Her grandfather helped build the church, and when she came over from Italy 64 years ago, she joined the parish. Her husband grew up at the parish, and they were married at the church. Her children went through Sts. Peter and Paul School and received all their sacraments at the parish. Many of her grandchildren have been baptized at the church as well.  

The rich spiritual legacy of Sts. Peter and Paul in North Beach will continue to be celebrated this year and will continue for generations to come.