Saint Ignatius Church, San Francisco

Located on the campus of the University of San Francisco, Saint Ignatius Church is a cherished place of worship. It serves as both a parish of the Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco and the university's chapel. The church is under the care of devoted priests from the Society of Jesus and holds a profound dedication to the Society's founder, Ignatius of Loyola.

The architecture of Saint Ignatius Church is a captivating blend of Italian Renaissance and Baroque elements, while its floor plan takes inspiration from ancient Roman basilicas. Remarkably, the church emerged unscathed from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake; nevertheless, it underwent recent renovations and seismic reinforcement to ensure its continued splendor.

Standing as one of the grandest churches in the city, Saint Ignatius Church sits atop a hill, graced with twin spires and an elegant dome that bestows upon it the status of a prominent San Francisco landmark. For a long time, it enjoyed an unobstructed backdrop of the San Francisco sky until the construction of the Salesforce Tower to its east in 2018.

The church's story took a new chapter when Saint Ignatius was made a parish with Father Charles Gagan as its third pastor. From San Francisco, Father Gagan revitalized the church by making critical repairs, replacing the roof, restoring the dome and cupola, and adding new carpeting and flooring to enhance its allure.

Saint Ignatius Church remains a beacon of faith, history, and architectural wonder-a testament to the enduring spirit of San Francisco's religious heritage.