Regular schedule
All year · San Francisco, United States
- Monday to Friday 12:15 pm (Tue–Fri; no Mass on Monday)
- Saturdays 12:15 pm
- Sundays & Holy Days 11:00 am
National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi
Church in San Francisco
San Francisco, United States
Church Details
610 Vallejo St, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States
Accessible
Parking available
Familys
National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi · Mass Times
Summer schedule
All year – same as regular schedule
- Monday to Friday 12:15 pm (Tue–Fri; no Mass on Monday)
- Saturdays & Vigils 12:15 pm
- Sundays & Holy Days 11:00 am
National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church
History of Church
National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church in San Francisco (California)
National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church: general information
National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church, also known as the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, is a historic Catholic church in the North Beach neighbourhood of San Francisco. From its location at 610 Vallejo Street, the shrine honours Saint Francis of Assisi, after whom the city is named, and welcomes local parishioners, pilgrims and visitors who come to pray, attend Mass and discover Franciscan spirituality in the heart of the city.
Today National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church functions as a national shrine of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, with regular Masses, confessions and devotional practices. Pilgrims can venerate relics of Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Clare and Saint Anthony of Padua, spend time in quiet prayer and meet the friars and lay staff who serve at the shrine. It is a place of spiritual renewal, Franciscan hospitality and Catholic heritage for residents and visitors alike.
History and architecture of National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church
The origins of National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church go back to the years following the California Gold Rush, when San Francisco’s population grew rapidly and a new church was needed in the northern part of the city. The parish church of Saint Francis of Assisi was dedicated in 1860 and became one of the earliest Catholic churches in California outside the Spanish mission system.
During the 1906 earthquake and fire, the church was badly damaged; the interior was destroyed while the exterior walls and twin campaniles survived. Using the remaining walls, a new interior was built and the church was rededicated in 1919. The building combines Norman Revival and Gothic Revival architecture, with a light façcade, pointed arches, decorative tracery and twin towers that rise above North Beach. In 1968 it was listed as San Francisco Landmark No. 5, later recognised by the state of California, and in 1999 it was designated the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi.
Architectural and devotional features
- Main nave and sanctuary: a traditional, elongated nave leading to a richly decorated sanctuary, with stained-glass windows, statues and Franciscan imagery that invite prayer and contemplation.
- Twin towers and façade: striking twin campaniles flanking a Gothic Revival façade, making National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church a recognisable landmark in North Beach and a popular subject for photographs.
- Relics and devotional images: reliquaries of Saint Francis, Saint Clare and Saint Anthony of Padua, together with numerous statues and stations of the cross, offering pilgrims concrete points for devotion.
- Historic pipe organ: a Schoenstein pipe organ, originally installed in 1926 and enlarged in 1993, accompanies liturgies and occasional concerts.
Masses, shrine hours and sacramental life
The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church offers a regular rhythm of prayer, liturgy and sacramental life. The shrine is normally open several days per week for quiet visits, personal prayer and liturgical celebrations, while the friars provide pastoral care and confessions.
Current schedule (subject to change)
- Shrine church hours: Tuesday–Saturday, approximately 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The shrine is typically closed on Monday.
- Holy Mass: 12:15 pm from Tuesday to Saturday in the main church, and 11:00 am on Sunday. There is usually no regular Mass on Monday.
- Confessions: normally offered Tuesday–Saturday from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon, or by request, giving pilgrims the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Recommendation: before planning your visit to National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church, always check the latest schedule on the official shrine website or contact the shrine office, as liturgical times and opening hours may change on holy days or for special events.
How to get to National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church
National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church is located at 610 Vallejo Street, San Francisco, CA 94133, in the historic North Beach district, a short walk from Washington Square and close to Columbus Avenue. The area is easily reached on foot from Chinatown and the Embarcadero, and is surrounded by cafés, restaurants and other historic churches.
Access and visit recommendations
- Public transport (bus and nearby stops) provides convenient access to North Beach; many visitors also walk up from the waterfront or from central San Francisco.
- For those arriving by car, there are public parking garages and limited street parking in the neighbourhood; it is advisable to allow extra time on weekends and feast days.
- Inside National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church, visitors are invited to maintain a respectful silence, especially during Mass and confessions, and to use cameras discreetly if photography is permitted.
Pilgrimage, Franciscan spirituality and Porziuncola Nuova
National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church is a focal point for Franciscan spirituality in San Francisco. Pilgrims come to honour Saint Francis, seek peace and reconciliation, and deepen their devotion through liturgy, prayer and quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament. The shrine is served by Franciscan friars, who offer pastoral care, spiritual guidance and hospitality to those who visit.
Adjacent to the main church, across the small alley, stands the Porziuncola Nuova, a carefully crafted replica of the original Porziuncola chapel in Assisi, completed in 2008 as a place of prayer, indulgence and reflection. Together, the main church and the Porziuncola Nuova form a unique Franciscan pilgrimage site on the West Coast, inviting pilgrims to experience the spirit of Assisi in the city that bears the saint’s name.
Areas of activity
- Liturgy and sacraments: celebration of daily Mass, Sunday liturgy, confessions and other sacramental ministry for pilgrims and local faithful.
- Pilgrimage and retreats: visits by parish groups, religious communities and individual pilgrims who come to pray at National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church and the Porziuncola Nuova.
- Devotions and Franciscan feasts: special celebrations on the feasts of Saint Francis, Saint Clare and other Franciscan saints, including blessings and thematic devotions.
- Spiritual accompaniment: opportunities for conversations with friars, spiritual guidance and deeper introduction to Franciscan spirituality and the life of Saint Francis.
Frequently asked questions about National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church
Where is National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church located?
National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church is located at 610 Vallejo Street, San Francisco, California, in the North Beach neighbourhood, near Washington Square and within walking distance of Chinatown and the waterfront. The church’s white façade and twin towers make it easy to recognise among the surrounding buildings.
What can I see when I visit National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church?
A visit to National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church allows you to discover its historic Gothic Revival interior, stained-glass windows, pipe organ, statues and relics of Saint Francis, Saint Clare and Saint Anthony of Padua. You can also spend time in silent prayer or join the community for Mass or confessions.
Many pilgrims also cross to the nearby Porziuncola Nuova, a small chapel modelled on the original Porziuncola in Assisi, to continue their prayer and experience a more intimate Franciscan space. Together, the church and the Porziuncola form a complete pilgrimage stop dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi in San Francisco.
Is National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church still an active parish?
Although the original Saint Francis of Assisi church was once a territorial parish, it is now primarily the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi and functions as a shrine and pilgrimage church rather than a regular parish with defined boundaries. However, National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church still offers regular Masses, confessions and pastoral ministry to those who attend.
How can I find up-to-date Mass times and shrine hours?
The most reliable way to obtain current information about National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church is to visit the official shrine website or contact the shrine office directly. The website publishes Mass times, confession schedule, Porziuncola Nuova hours and special events, and provides contact details and directions for visitors.
In a few lines:
- Name: National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church (National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi)
- City: San Francisco (California) · North Beach – 610 Vallejo Street
- Role: national shrine of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, centre of Franciscan spirituality, pilgrimage and sacramental life
- Architecture: historic Norman and Gothic Revival church with twin towers, stained-glass windows and a traditional nave
- Hours and liturgy: shrine open most days from late morning to late afternoon, with daily Mass (Tuesday–Saturday) and Sunday Mass at 11:00 am – always confirm the current schedule before visiting