St Dominic’s Catholic Church

I only have 18 official check ins here but have been attending regular Mass whenever possible without fail for over 6 years now. It is a beautiful community where I have made long lasting friendships, and great strides in my faith formation. You can feel the love of community and worship here. Everyone is inviting and I welcome you to come see first hand why I love this place so much.

My husband Edward Robinson was a altar boy at this church and always spoke highly of St. Dominic. He passed away Sunday December 20, 2015. I’m sure he would like to have his services held at this church.

This parish helped me find my faith again. I highly recommend the 9:30 family mass. St. Doms has donation-​based onsite daycare for babies and toddlers. You can also send your children (preschool & up) to a separate area of the church for their own mini-​Mass. I’m used to shushing/​wrangling my kids during Mass so it’s nice that I can be mentally present for the readings and homily. The kids come back in time for communion so you can still feel a sense of togetherness.
The music at 11:30am Solemn mass and 5:30pm Contemporary mass is worth checking out. If your Sunday Funday/​brunch plans takes up your day, the 9:30pm Candlelit Mass is the place to be to close out your Sunday.
Tip for all you Christmas & Easter Catholics: The Christmas Eve Midnight Mass and the 8pm Saturday Easter Vigil are breathtaking.

Very solemn place and they have a big parking lot. It’s my first time to visit in this church.

Some of the best church music you will find anywhere. It’s imitation Gothic architecture (very fine) but everything else is genuine.
I have heard many homilies that kept me thinking. And this is the church that got me going again after a 14 year lapse.
There really is something going on here. Beyond the blue hairs and blue army.

I should have written a review few years ago, and it would completely have deserved a 5-​star review from all perspective. I have mixed feeling writing the review now that I have been to the perish for 4 years. I was really hoping the pastor read the reviews and get feedback from here.
I still think this is the most beautiful church in the city, the atmosphere is tranquil and make you feel peace whenever you get in there. The variety of mass time selection made things a lot easier for people who have busy life. Some people may like the more close-​knit community feeling when going to mass, but the in and out style fits me well, plus you do have the choice to hang out with other people after the mass if you choose to since there are organized activities.
What made it great in the past was actually the Homily when it was under the leadership of Fr. Xavier. Most Catholic churches are pretty boring with the Homily if I can put it that way, the messages never change, it’s always just go spread the news, God is great. Not that I’m saying this is not important, but it’s just too hollow. But at St. Dominic’s, you were actually be able to learn something deep, you can tell the priests really spent time preparing for the Homily and deliver messages that really matters for you to learn about the teachings and values.
But things have changed ever since Fr. Xavier left, the quality of the Homily is not there anymore. I’m no longer looking forward to the Mass, but just going there to get the routine done. Maybe because I am a learner type, so it bugs me more than anyone else that the Homily is not the same high quality anymore. But I would think Mass should not just be a routine, and it’s the time for Catholic church to attract people by intelligent messages.
Easter Vigil was used to be the service I’m looking forward to at St. Dom. Last night, sitting in the church at the service, I was disappointed. It was still beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but the creative components of the music are gone though it’s still the same music director. Of course, the Homily was not that good either. I don’t want to go find another church (not sure if there is another Catholic church delivers good Homily either), but St. Dom is definitely not where I am drawn to anymore.

It’s a mostly white parish. People spread out a lot so I felt pretty isolated in my pew. The music was fine, nothing to write home about but it wasn’t awful either. I can’t remember what the homily was about. There was one woman’s restroom and a huge line before mass. A couple cars in the parking lot had clearly conservative bumper stickers. The 20s/​30s representative who spoke after mass said at their next meeting they would be talking about discernment and how Mary can help us discern our vocations. The 30s/​40s representative spoke about an upcoming retreat and attempted some sexist jokes. Luckily he only got pity laughs but I had to wonder if the benevolent sexism feel was pervasive throughout the culture. Of the young adults present, most seemed to be straight. The brothers stood outside the church shaking everyone’s hand as you left – which is good since I felt rather invisible before but also not good because they seemed to have a bit of a celebrity status. They hadn’t participated in any special way in the mass, why were they out shaking hands like they had been the presider?
edit: I forgot to mention that in the beginning of mass, the new translation has the option for the congregation say a certain prayer with something along the lines of «through my fault, through my fault, through my something something fault» all while knocking their knuckles on their chest. Many parishes choose to do a different option – one that doesn’t involve symbolically beating one’s chest. This parish went the chest beating route.

Architecturally and atmospherically gorgeous, with an exquisite choir at the 11:30 a.m. mass, who know their Latin well and sounded like the LA Master Chorale…
But whether Mass is said in a stately church like this one, or in an open field, there are two things which help this fallible human’s head focus and heart open up and prepare to receive the Eucharist. First is the homily, which was well thought out and compellingly delivered. Second, is the congregation, their level of participation and interest in making a newcomer feel welcome and united as part of the «We are one bread, one body experience.»
Both were wonderful in drawing me in. Plus I really enjoyed the fact that I was with all people of God — all races and nationalities — acknowledging the greatness of God, his power, wisdom, humility and the strength he gives us.

I feel a bit silly writing a review about a church but here I am writing one!
I’ve been to my fair share of churches and had some good experiences and some not so great. I remember going to a church for confession with my parents a while ago and the priest there asked my dad if he got married in a church (which he didn’t. He got married at city hall) and so the priest refused to do a confession with him. In another, my brother was told that he wasn’t dressed appropriately for mass and to never come into church dressed the way he was ever again.
Here at St. Dominic’s I feel that everyone is accepted by the wonderful priests. Sometimes I would come in just to pray and reflect and there would be homeless people sleeping in the back. It’s not just a beautiful church because of the way it looks but it is also beautiful because of the priests, deacons and parishioners. Everyone is so welcoming and warm that you want to come back every Sunday because you feel good and hopefully feel closer to God and your faith.
My husband and I started coming to this church in the beginning of our relationship. We then signed up for the RCIA program and felt very much part of St. Dominic’s family. Then, this past January 2014, we got married here. Mass is beautiful every time we’re here and most of the time I hear angels singing.
Lastly, I feel that my relationship to God has never been stronger. I wasn’t always very connected with my faith until I started coming here.

St. Dominic’s is one of my favorite places in San Francisco. Last year, when I moved to the city, I decided to seek out a Catholic Church. This one was rated the best in the city, and boy, it does not disappoint! Not only is the architecture absolutely beautiful, the community has substance as well. The Young Adult Group for 20s-​30s is amazing, and they hold fun hikes each month, as well as a magnificent annual retreat in Russian River and a camp in Yosemite. I usually go to the 9PM Sunday Mass, which is candlelit. It has wonderful singing and well-​thought homilies. These services are truly a great, meditative end to a week.

Absolutely gorgeous place of worship I have ever seen in my 29 years of life.

The update…
The choir is amazing!!! Especially when they sing Alleluia. It’s so harmonious and I strangely find myself smiling afterwards. I don’t sing, I’m tone deaf, however I’m here Sundays «singing» along as if I was in the choir myself.
I’m not the perfect Catholic but I try to be the best I can. This cathedral, this space, the history and connection I have with it brings me back every Sunday. The priests speak to me… Not just in sermons when they are sending a message to all but also when I’m wondering the church after mass looking at the architecture. I’m never noticed where ever I go because I’m an introvert. But I’m noticed here. I feel welcomed. And I love the snacks afterwards. It’s a cathedral serving family and city folks… With others or alone… It’s a nice community. I don’t feel awkward.
Everybody has a story to tell. I have my own. Let’s just say I have a lot of thanking God to do and I do it here!

I have seen beautiful churches all over the world like Rome, Italy, Mexico but locally it is pretty difficult to find, We were on a quest to find the Shrine of St. Jude.
My Baby Sara was hospitalized and the accountant and her familia have always had alot of faith in St. Jude. Google where is this Saint and this was the place to go.
Mass in Spanish was at 1:30pm and since I was using English all week I wanted to brush up on my Spanish. It was Palm Sunday so of course it was going to be a long one but so well worth it. It is a very super beautiful church in my point of view.
The stained glass and all of the details that make it remarkable are just breath taking. I could remember that my mommy would take us there for church and we would take bart and walk the 20 plus blocks because she didn’t want to get lost on the bus and couldn’t afford to take a cab. Well let me tell you honey that them poor days are over. As long as Super Serg is alive and well and even when I leave this beautiful earth my Mother can take as many cabs that she wants. But to make a long story short she just makes us drive here instead. lol
They have alot of great details to make you want to visit this church more often. We may even go next week and I don’t mind the driving. Anything to get a blessing from the big man upstairs and I can go locally but I am still looking for Ann S. so I may run into her here. :)~
I will continue to put the word out on this beautiful location and see how many of my Unilocalers can go visit.
Thank you big man upstairs to make my Sunday go super Smooth.

Normally I don’t review churches but I have to remark that St. Dominic’s in San Francisco is the most gorgeous Catholic church I have encountered in the States.
I was just a bridesmaid in a wedding here and let me tell you, St. Dominic’s has that grandiose aura inside and out that you’d only expect in the churches of Europe. Thank god it survived the devastating quake of 1906!
Just breathtaking. I’m jealous of any bride who gets married here. The photo ops are priceless!

Like the rest of the reviews… St. Dominic’s Catholic Church is beautiful. This church is located just blocks from our hotel and we weren’t going to miss Sunday mass while on vacation. Like Terri R stated in her review already, St. Dominic’s looks like the churches found in Italy. Again, a very beautiful sight to see.
As for the mass itself, we attended the 7:30 AM «Quiet» mass. This is my first «Quiet» mass and at first, did not know what is meant by it. We later found out that it’s a mass that didn’t have a choir or signing. This church is huge and wasn’t busy for a Sunday. Whether you’re local or just visiting this fine city, I recommend St. Dominic’s for Sunday Mass.
Unilocal PERSONAL CHALLENGE 2013 — (⁴⁴⁴⁄₅₀₀)

What a beautiful church to hear Sunday mass. We went to the 7:30am «quiet» mass, which I assume is called that because there was no choir or singing. I felt like we had entered one of the churches in Italy or France that I had visited when I was a teenager. The architecture, the stained glass, the candles, the hush over the entire place was an unexpected and lovely way to end our long weekend in San Francisco. I would highly recommend visiting this house of worship even if you aren’t Catholic – it will take your breath away.

I didn’t attend any services here but was glad I could pop in for some meditation time during a morning walk.
The exterior is classic cathedral architecture, and the interior continues the awesomeness that is the gothic style. The stained glass and scene depictions are really quite something when the sun hits them.
In any case, you’ve got your standard pews lining the main area, and there are alcoves to the left and right for confession, holy water, and more individual prayer. It’s well maintained, and anyone is welcome in to rest or to gather their thoughts here.
One of the nicer churches I’ve been to.

(I finally figured out what happened to my reviews. They’ve all been filtered, and it appears that my very first review — St. Dominic’s Catholic Church — was the catalyst! Thanks, Unilocal,for elevating my online status to «Rebel.»)
Let me tell you about this church and how a couple of sheep found their way back.
It all happened a few years ago, when a small group of us stumbled into St. Dominic’s after an evening of gallivanting on Fillmore. It was near closing time at St. Dom’s, so we had the privilege of having the entire church to ourselves. We marveled at the overall beauty of the church: the meticulously polished pews; the colorful stained glass windows with their thought-​provoking images; and the bigger-​than-​life rood beam. We weren’t «religious» people; we were cradle Catholics who strayed during college. We weren’t «bad» people; we were just lost.
Believe me, this detour was no accident. I know that I said we «stumbled» in, but in retrospect, I know something great drew us in that evening. Something so powerful brought us to St. Dominic’s that evening, that two of us decided to return for Mass that Sunday.
Fast forward to 2013, and here I am «yelping» St. Dominic’s, giving it 5 stars. Fr. Emmanuel mentioned in his Homily that we should meet Jesus every time we come to Mass and that we should encounter Jesus in every Catholic church. I hate to admit this, but I’ve had trouble in the past encountering Jesus in other churches. I guess that’s why I decided to make St. Dominic’s my parish.
If you’re a cradle Catholic on the verge of letting go, I urge you to come to St. Dominic’s tomorrow morning. You WILL encounter His presence. You WILL believe in something greater than you. Thank you, St. Dominic’s Catholic Community, for bringing us back.
P.S.
Go Giants!
Acts 9:31

I found this amazing church on Unilocal and am so grateful for everyones reviews. It has become my home for both social and spiritual healing. I have made some of my best friends there and they continue to keep me engaged with amazing talks, beautiful hikes, fun happy hours, monthly dinners, and great volunteer opportunities. I love the diversity of the church and the chance to meet so many different people from so many different places and occupations. The Young Adult 20s-​30s and 30s/​40s Leadership Team keep my social calendar full of exciting activities. I’m only sad that I can’t make them all because I travel so much for work. Such a wonderful, welcoming community. Whether you’re a weekly church goer, Highly recommend!!!

What an absolutely breathtaking church! It has the perfect mix of traditional stained glass and gothic-​like decorations while not being gaudy. It also has this beautiful, sacred aura to it when you walk in.
My aunt took me here to show me a gift that the church had received in 2011. On the left side of the church under an interpretation of The Pietà are fragments of the cross that Jesus died on. I love the fact that this religious artifact was housed in a simple crystal cross that you can kneel in front of and are even able to touch. A religious artifact of that kind of importance should be easily accessible to people of faith. It was so pure and unpretentious, which is exactly like St. Dominic’s. It’s no wonder that this church was chosen as one of the places to be able to share in such an awe-​inspiring religious artifact.