The largest building in the state at the time of its dedication in 1854, this handsome Catholic church began as a cathedral, the first seat of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The Gothic Revival structure was redesignated a church following construction of a new St. Mary's Cathedral on Van Ness Avenue in 1891. Made of brick and iron on a foundation of granite quarried in China, the church was entirely gutted by the great conflagration of 1906, which melted its bell and marble statuary but left its stout walls intact. The somber inscription from Ecclesiastes on the exterior bell tower, Son, observe the time and fly from evil, was reputedly aimed at the brothels that once flourished in the neighborhood. Historic photographs displayed in the vestibule offer fascinat-ing views of 19C Chinatown.The church serves as the venue for popular noontime concerts of classical music, featuring a variety of local and touring professional artists (year-round Tue & Thu 12:30pm; for schedule 415-288-3861).