Despite the popular misconception, Joe DiMaggio did not marry Marilyn Monroe in this opulent church (that was at City Hall). He did, however, marry his first wife, starlet Dorothy Arnold, here and it was this church that celebrated his funeral mass. Dating only from 1922, this Roman Catholic church is awash in marble, gilding and ornately carved wood, starting with the life-size, marble angel at the entrance. Inside the hushed sanctuary, redolent with the aroma of burning candles, is an elaborately carved and painted ceiling glinting with gold leaf. Pendant chandeliers in aged brass and frosted glass hang from the arches of the colonnade on either side of the nave. The altar is an explosion of marble carved with the titular saints of the church, plus cherubs. Statues and shrines, including one to Our Lady of Lourdes that features a faux grotto, line the walls and the elaborate chapels. St. Peter and Paul Church is located near Washington Square, which is an outdoor meeting hall and social center.
Website: salesiansspp.org
Phone: (415) 421-0809
Cross Streets: Between Powell St and Stockton St
Open now
- Sat 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
666 Filbert St San Francisco, CA 94133-2805 ·2344.36 mi
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Amenities
- Accessible
Reviews
tripadvisorIn my humble opinion, it's the most beautiful Catholic church in America, not only due to its double spire 1924 Architecture but also the dog park, Washington Square Park, in front of it full of North Beach tourists and locals and if course their dogs
MoreThis is a beautiful Catholic church in the North Beach neighborhood and overlooking Washington Square. It was completed in 1924. The first Saints Peter and Paul Church, built in 1884 was destroyed in the San Francisco Earthquake in 1906. Historically, it has been the spiritual home of the Italian American community in the city but now it also has many Chinese American parishioners and masses are said in English, Italian and Cantonese. It is known as the church where baseball great Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe were married. In truth, since DiMaggio was divorced, they could not be married in the church but had a civil proceeding and they only had their wedding day photos taken on the steps of the church. However, DiMaggio's funeral in 1999 did take place inside. It is worth a quick look if in the area.
MoreThis is a lovely church, located next to Washington square.While the opening times of the church vary, it's worth having a quick peek, in case it IS open during your visit.
MoreThis nice big church sits right in front of a park. It was a beautiful sunny day and it looked so nice against the blue sky. Really beautiful.
MoreWe were spending the day in San Francisco and doing a lot of walking when we came upon this church. I am pretty sure that this was used briefly in a Clint Eastwood (Dirty Harry) film at one point. It’s a stunning church outside and inside with a great setting overlooking the park. Worth a quick look
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