Archdiocese of San Francisco

Erected in 1853, the Archdiocese of San Francisco is one of the oldest Catholic jurisdictions on the West Coast, rooted in the Franciscan mission tradition that began with Mission Dolores in 1776. Today it spans San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties — about 102 parishes — anchored by the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, consecrated in 1971 after the previous cathedral was destroyed by fire.