St. Ignatius Church Repairs

St. Ignatius Church Repairs is a winner for the 2025 Preservation Design Award for Preservation or Restoration. Award recipients are selected by a jury of top professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, planning, and history, as well as renowned architecture critics and journalists. Tickets and sponsorship options are available at californiapreservation.org/programs/awards/.

About St. Ignatius Church Repairs

Due to challenges with accessing the monumental features, the exterior exhibited deteriorated masonry, corroded ornate sheet metal, roof leaks, failing stained glass windows, and general facade disrepair after years of weathering in a marine environment exposed on a prominent hill.

After performing a condition assessment in 2015, the congregation raised funds for the project which took place from March 2023 to September 2024. The project included repairing damaged brick masonry and terra cotta, abating the paint from the sheet metal cladding, repairing the ornate sheet metal, painting all of the metal cladding with a new high-performance coating system, re-roofing, rebuilding the stained glass windows, and performing accessibility and fire/life-safety upgrades.

The owner was a dedicated partner, the contractor emphasized quality and strong relationships among parties for seamless collaboration, and the design team focused on practical solutions. Together, they balanced the owner’s longevity goals with the church’s aesthetic and historic value.

Community Importance

Built in 1914, after the original structure was destroyed by the 1906 earthquake, St. Ignatius Church embodies the spirit of and story of San Francisco. It serves as more than a place of worship. It is a vital community hub, offering an inclusive space for residents, students, and visitors alike to gather, connect, and find a sense of belonging. With its open doors, the church provides a welcoming environment where people can come together as part of their daily lives or routines. Over time, however, its facade and roof have required significant repair, threatening the building’s function and beauty.

Funded completely by parishioners and the community, the goal of the project was to address deterioration, bringing it back to its original splendor as a “beacon on the hill,” while ensuring it can serve generations to come.

The project’s stakeholders, especially the congregation, have been involved from the beginning, committed to creating a lasting legacy. The church community prioritized long-term performance, understanding that an investment in quality now prevents costly repairs later. This approach ensures that St. Ignatius will continue to serve as a sanctuary and gathering place not only for the congregation, but for the University of San Francisco and broader community.

About CPF and the Awards

The California Preservation Awards are a statewide hallmark, showcasing the best in historic preservation. The awards ceremony includes the presentation of the Preservation Design Awards and the President’s Awards, bringing together hundreds of people each year to share and celebrate excellence in preservation.

The California Preservation Foundation (CPF), a 501c3 nonprofit, was incorporated in 1978. We now support a national network of more than 36,000 members and supporters. Click here to learn how you can become a member.