680 California Street

1. 1853–1854

   Built in 1853–54 in red brick on stone foundations, as the first Roman Catholic cathedral in California; the foundation stone was cut to order in China and the brick came from New England. The 200-foot spire in the original design was never built.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
2. 1893

   Ceased to be the cathedral when the new St. Mary's was built on Van Ness Avenue.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
3. 1906

   Built.

4. April 1906

   The walls and foundations came through the 1906 earthquake, but the fire gutted the church; it was rebuilt and reopened in 1909.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
5. August 13, 1908

   William Gronan contracted to rebuild Old St. Mary's Church.

   The San Francisco Call, 13 August 1908, p. 15
6. January 16, 1909

   Callaghan & Manetta and J. W. Smith contracted for lathing, plastering and damp-proofing, oak pews with iron kneelers on a church for the Roman Catholic Archbishop, at $11,875.

   The San Francisco Call, 16 January 1909, p. 15
7. April 2, 1910

   The Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco contracted with the American Marble and Mosaic Company for two marble side altars in the brick church, $1,100.

   The San Francisco Call, 2 April 1910, p. 22
8. 1966

   A fire broke out in the church attic.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
9. May 7, 1966

   Registered as California Historical Landmark No. 310.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
10. 1968

    Designated San Francisco Landmark No. 2, Old St. Mary's Church.

    SF Planning, landmark designation
11. Jun 1997

    Permit 9710446 $$$ $1,500

    Install new door in back of bookstore.

12. Aug 2023

    Filed Permit 202308033680 $$$ $1

    Change of use from book store to gift shop.

1 nominal $1 street-space or sidewalk permit is omitted from the timeline. 2 expired permits are not shown. The building is dated 1853–1854 in its landmark designation; the assessor's roll gives 1906.