Third Baptist Church of San Francisco

What to know

The Third Baptist Church is a cornerstone of the Western Addition neighborhood, serving as San Francisco's oldest African-American church. Established in 1852, the congregation originally operated as the First Colored Baptist Church. Over the decades, the church has moved several times, beginning at the corner of Grant Avenue and Greenwich Street, then relocating to Dupont Street at Greenwich Street in 1854, before settling in its current location. The current building at 1399 McAllister Street was designed by architect William F. Gunnison and completed in 1952. This site is now a designated San Francisco landmark, listed as a San Francisco Designated Landmark in November 2017. The church's former location on Grant Avenue is also recognized as California Historical Landmark No. 1010, highlighting the congregation's enduring legacy in the city's history. For nearly 50 years, the church was led by Civil Rights icon Dr. Amos Brown, whose leadership transformed the church into a center for community service and civil rights advocacy. In honor of his nearly half-century of service, the city renamed the street in front of the church, Pierce Street, as Dr. Amos C. Brown Way. This designation recognizes the church's role as one of the oldest predominantly African American Baptist congregations in the western United States.

Visitor tips

• If visiting on a Sunday, the worship service begins at 10:00 AM.
• The facility is fully accessible to people using mobility aids.
• Use the 5 Fulton or 24 Divisadero Muni bus routes for easy access to the church.

Nearby context

Located in the Western Addition, the Third Baptist Church is a short walk from the scenic Alamo Square and the iconic Painted Ladies, providing a historical counterpoint to the neighborhood's Victorian architecture.