[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         TRIBUTE TO SAINT PATRICK'S PARISH IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 3, 2001

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join today to pay 
tribute to a Saint Patrick's Parish in San Francisco, California, which 
is celebrating its 150th Anniversary. From its humble beginnings the 
Parish has blossomed into a San Francisco institution that has 
weathered wars, troubled times, and the occasional earthquake. Despite 
those hardships, for the last 150 years Saint Patrick's Parish has 
remained a structure of faith for its parishioners.
  Shortly after Fr. John Maginnis celebrated the first mass in a rented 
hall on June 9, 1851, a temporary Church was constructed, and Saint 
Patrick's had established a foot hold in San Francisco. During this 
time, California was experiencing the Gold Rush, which brought the 
proliferation of industry and commerce to the area, and resulted in the 
population of San Francisco growing rapidly. The Parish responded to 
this expansion by purchasing a lot on Mission Street, between Third and 
Fourth Streets and started construction of a magnificent new Church. 
After two years, construction was completed, and the new Church was 
dedicated on March 17, 1872 at which time the Catholic population of 
the parish was estimated at 30,000 parishioners.
  Having overseen the construction of the Church, Fr. Maginnis now set 
his sights on new projects, and soon founded both the St. Vincent 
School for Girls and the St. Patrick's School for Boys. Both schools 
were taught by the Daughters of Charity from Emmitsburg, Maryland, and 
served the Parish until 1964. After the schools closed, the site was 
later transformed into the Alexis Apartments for the elderly.
  Mr. Speaker, for the first fifty-four years after its founding, Saint 
Patrick's Parish knew only one pastor, Father John Maginnis. Fr. 
Maginnis was succeeded by the Reverend Monsignor John Rogers in 1905. 
Shortly thereafter, the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906 
struck, and the Church was reduced to rubble. This catastrophe of 
biblical proportions was met head on by Msgr. Rogers and the 
parishioners of St. Patrick's. After establishing a men's shelter named 
Tir-na-Nog, which is Gaelic for Land of Youth, Msgr. Rogers began the 
reconstruction of the Church. The reconstruction was completed and the 
Church was rededicated in 1914. An impressive brick structure, Saint 
Patrick's Church still stands majestic as a living memorial to the 
undaunted faith and endurance of people who gave of themselves in times 
of personal hardship to build this institution.
  Mr. Speaker, for the last century and a half years Saint Patrick's 
Parish has provided for the spiritual needs of the community, as well 
as run programs to aid the elderly, youth, and the marginalized. I ask 
all my colleagues to join me in honoring Saint Patrick's Parish in 
marking their sesquicentennial.

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