St. Joseph's Church and Complex

St. Joseph's Church and Complex is a Romanesque Revival church in the South of Market district with an impressive facade, twin towers, and broad stone steps. The structure spans 1.4 acres and contains approximately 22,000 square feet of interior space featuring multiple arched windows across three levels.

The building was constructed in 1906 by architect John J. Foley and originally served Irish Catholic parishioners. Starting in the 1970s, it became a center for the city's growing Filipino community.

The complex transformed into Saint Joseph's Arts Society in 2018 and now hosts art exhibitions, performances, and community programs for local artists. This shift has made it a gathering place where creative work happens regularly.

The complex is located on Howard Street and is easily accessible on foot, with wide entrance stairs that accommodate different mobility needs. The interior offers multiple areas to explore, so a longer visit allows you to see all exhibitions and ongoing activities.

The structure survived the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and underwent extensive reinforcement to preserve its architectural features. This restoration work is evident in parts of the building today and shows how the original construction withstood the ground movement.