970 Laguna Street

1. 1852–1854

   A carpenter shop on Scott Street

   The Reverend Thomas M. D. Ward moved his congregation into a carpenter shop on Scott Street, refitted for religious services, until he could buy a larger building on Powell Street.

   Philip M. Montesano, “San Francisco Black Churches in the Early 1860s: Political Pressure Group,” The Argonaut: Journal of the San Francisco Historical Society, vol. 31, no. 2 (Winter 2021), pp. 54–61
2. 1860s

   The congregation held supper-dances at Assembly Hall, at Post and Kearny Streets — supper with the clergy, dancing after they left.

   Philip M. Montesano, “San Francisco Black Churches in the Early 1860s: Political Pressure Group,” The Argonaut: Journal of the San Francisco Historical Society, vol. 31, no. 2 (Winter 2021), pp. 54–61
3. 1862

   Powell Street building bought

   The congregation bought a frame building on Powell Street between Jackson and Pacific for $5,500, and met on that site until the 1940s.

   Philip M. Montesano, “San Francisco Black Churches in the Early 1860s: Political Pressure Group,” The Argonaut: Journal of the San Francisco Historical Society, vol. 31, no. 2 (Winter 2021), pp. 54–61
4. 1969

   Built.

5. 1969–1973

   The Bethel A.M.E. Church buildings at 916–970 Laguna Street were constructed.

   San Francisco Heritage, “Black Lives Matter, Black Places Matter” (Heritage News excerpt)

DBI holds no permit records for this parcel, by block and lot or by street number. The roll classes 916 Laguna Street, a separate parcel (0770015) immediately north and built in 1973, as church property too. SF Heritage describes the Bethel A.M.E. Church as 916–970 Laguna Street, constructed 1969–1973. Which building holds the sanctuary is not established here; the congregation gives its address as 970 Laguna. Which of the two church parcels — 970 Laguna Street or 916 Laguna Street — holds the sanctuary, and how the congregation uses each. Where the congregation met between the 1940s, when it left Powell Street, and 1969.