2135 Sutter Street

1. 1905

   Built as the Golden Gate Commandery of the Knights Templar, and later the Macedonia Baptist Church.

   Citywide Historic Context Statement: Clubs and Social Halls (1848–1989), 2026
2. 1905–1907

   Begun after the building permit of November 4, 1905, as the asylum of Golden Gate Commandery No. 16 of the Knights Templar, on a lot deeded to the commandery's company the year before, and designed by O'Brien & Werner — Carl Werner, a 33rd-degree Mason credited with most of northern California's Masonic temples. Damaged in the earthquake with more than its foundations built, it was rebuilt from the foundations with a steel frame, brick walls and terra-cotta ornament in a Jacobean Gothic, the firm's only Masonic lodge in the city.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
3. 1906

   Built.

4. 1950

   The Macedonia Baptist Church, renting the building since the year before, bought it after the Knights Templar moved out. Under Rev. P. S. Ogborne and then Rev. G. L. Bedford it became a centre of the post-war civil rights movement in the Western Addition: Martin Luther King Jr. spoke here twice, as did Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and the church raised $46,000 for King's work and held gospel concerts with Mahalia Jackson.

   SF Planning, landmark designation
5. Dec 1992

   Permit 9220914 $$$ $20,000

   Sheath roof with plywd. brace parapets. brace chimneys. grout c.

6. 1993

   Designated San Francisco Landmark No. 202, Golden Gate Commandery of the Knights Templar (Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church).

   SF Planning, landmark designation
7. Feb 1998

   Permit 9801717 $$$ $73,000

   Seismic upgrade - umb.

8. Dec 2003

   Issued Permit 200312192663 $$$ $34,380

   Replace corrigated metal siding on the back of the building at the roof level. no structural change.

9. Mar 2006

   Permit 200603247474 $$$ $100,000

   This permit is rev to 9801717(seismic upgrade to umb).gary ho was orig plan ck.wk consists disabled access wk plans prev reviewed by luellen dcp.also had pre appl plan review meeting with debella(sffd)&r.cheung.wk inclnewelevator, unisex restrooms.cost incl credit for prev permit which had elev, bathrms.

10. Sep 2008

    Permit 200809242490 $$$ $2,000

    Add controls to recall elevator due to elevator upgrade. provide "elevator control and supervisory panel" for elevator recall detectors, and close elevator lobby doors on magnetic door holders (field verify no sprinkler system). fa system is not required for this building.

11. Dec 2008

    Permit 200812027643 $$$ $29,000

    Demolition out old hood system, install new type i hood system.

12. Mar 2009

    Permit 200903113903 $$$ $3,500

    Install automatic fire suppression system in kitchen.

13. Jun 2018

    Permit 201806040844 $$$ $249,219

    Basement renovation of existing space. constrction to include non bearing partitions, finishes & equipment. fire/life safety to remain intact and operation during course of construction change of use from assessory storage to exercise room. non-sprinklered.

14. Oct 2018

    Permit 201810163314 $$$ $15,000

    Replace existing fire panel and install new notification & initiating devices at renovated area located at basement. ref permit application 201806040844.

15. 2024

    A designated city landmark with a known connection to African American history that its landmark designation report does not record.

    African American Citywide Historic Context Statement, adopted 2024

2 nominal $1 street-space or sidewalk permits are omitted from the timeline. 6 expired or cancelled permits are not shown. The city's African American context statement lists this building among landmarks whose designation reports do not record their connection to African American history; the 1993 designation report does record the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church's civil-rights role, including Martin Luther King Jr.'s two visits.