SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH
San Francisco, California

Hidden behind the textured gray concrete walls, at the corner of Lyon and Washington Streets in San Francisco, stands the Swedenborgian Church as it has been since 1895. This historic jewel began its story with a young artist-theologian named Joseph Worcester who possessed a rare ability as an art and architecture critic.

The chapel embodies his preference for both simplicity and integrity. A. Page Brown (designer of the Ferry Building), A.C. Schweinfurth, Willis Polk (designer of the adjacent parish house), Bernard Maybeck, and artist Bruce Porter, all contributed to the design and construction of this historic building. A humble portico beckons the weary pilgrim in from the dusty streets of life. A walled-in garden is the first indication of the oasis of spiritual refreshment. Straight ahead is a garden featuring a small sunken pool and trees from all over the world that include a Japanese maple, a cedar from Lebanon, an olive tree from Palestine, a yew from Ireland, as well as two splendid redwoods. Worcester wanted to honor the Spanish Mission heritage, so wrought-iron grillwork is used in arched windows, Spanish knee-tiles grace the roof, and a cross from the Mission San Miguel stand in the high-walled garden. Within the bell tower is a column of Italian Carrara marble , and underneath the tower is a specially constructed window of Medieval glass taken from Westminster Abbey in London after repairs. Inside one findthe nurturing comfort of a simple home—a  huge fireplace warms the nave and you are surrounded with the comforting wood tones of nature. Rush-seated chairs and overhead beams of madrone with the bark left on convey the sacred peace of a forest.

Four murals by William Keith, depicting the fours seasons of Northern California, line the north wall and the stained glass window, by Bruce Porter, depicts a dove drinking sustenance from the water bowl, much as a worshipping congregation drinks spiritual sustenance from the Word of God.

The new organ is a two-manual Allen MDS-36.

For a written testimony, click here: 

If you wish to visit The Swedenborgian Church web site, click here.