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The Curator’s Corner:
During November, beginning on All Souls' Day, also known as "The Day of the Dead," we remember and pray for those who have died. We pray for our loved ones, asking God to have mercy on them and bring them to Heaven. It is also a time to visit the graves of our loved ones and to leave flowers and candles. Mission Dolores Basilica Parish has an annual tradition of building an "Altar of the Dead" in the Basilica, where a "Book of the Dead" listing the names of those who have died is displayed, along with photos of the departed.
Here, in San Francisco, most of our recently departed family members and friends are not buried in San Francisco, but rather in nearby Colma.
On March 26, 1900, the City's Board of Supervisors passed a bill prohibiting the burial of any dead in the City after August 1, 1901. Mayor James D. Phelan approved it on March 30, 1900. The government of the City and County of San Francisco is unique in the United States as it is actually a consolidation of both.
In 1914, the Board of Health sent out notices to all lot owners in Calvary, Masonic, Odd Fellow, and Laurel Hills Cemeteries ordering them to remove the graves within 14 months from January 17, 1914. It declared the bodies "a public nuisance and a menace and detrimental to the public health and welfare." There were many experts who disagreed with such a statement. These issues were taken up in the courts, and nothing really happened.
Nothing happened until 1921, when state legislation was passed enabling cemeteries to abandon their land if it was ratified by the majority of the lot owners. This was the first "Morris Act.' Masonic cemetery took these steps, but the lot owners were not in agreement, and the majority issued legal proceedings. This was the case of "Hornblower vs. Masonic Cemetery Association." The court found for the lot owners and enjoined the association from further removals without their consent.
What saved Mission Dolores and the Presidio Cemeteries, allowing them to remain intact, was the fact that they were not declared a "public nuisance."
To be continued…..
Mass Times
Saturday Vigil: 5:00pm -- Old Mission
Sunday:
8:00am & 10:00am (English)
12:00pm (Español)
Daily Mass:
Monday-Saturday: 8:00am -- Old Mission
Confession:
By appointment/por cita
Eucharist Adoration:
Friday: 3:00pm -- Old Mission
First Friday of the month: 4pm
Livestream Rosary:
7:00pm (Español)
8:00pm (English)
Livestreamed Videos
For your convenience, live and recorded videos are available at our:
Mission Dolores has always had a central place in the religious, civic, and cultural life of San Francisco. Misión San Francisco de Asís was founded June 29, 1776, under the direction of Father Junipero Serra and is both the oldest original intact Mission in California and the oldest building in San Francisco. Today, the Mission Dolores Parish comprises both the Basilica and the Old Mission.
True to its origins, the Basilica Parish of Mission Dolores reflects the remarkable diversity and vibrancy of modern San Francisco. Located at the crossroads of the City's Mission District, Castro District, the Lower Haight, Noe Valley, and Upper Market Street neighborhoods, Mission Dolores parishioners come from an enormous array of cultures, places, and backgrounds to worship together.
The Old Mission's religious, historic, and architectural significance makes it a unique and memorable destination for visitors to San Francisco. We welcome all to come visit the birthplace of San Francisco. For Old Mission visitor information, please click here.
We invite you to explore this website to learn more about the people, community, and history of Mission Dolores.
We are a welcoming Catholic community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people.
Click on the photo below for the video of the 34th Annual Basilica Choir Candlelight Christmas Concert from December 2025
