Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral in San Francisco

Holy Trinity Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox church building in San Francisco constructed from wood with traditional design elements. The structure features high ceilings and an ornate bell tower that holds eight historic bells.

The cathedral was founded in 1857 as the first Orthodox parish in the contiguous United States. In 1888, it received bells from Emperor Alexander III, marking an important connection to the Orthodox world.

The interior features traditional Orthodox iconography created by a local artist beginning in 1993. These religious images shape how the sacred spaces look and reflect the spiritual practices within.

The building sits in an accessible location where visitors can easily view the architecture and explore the exterior. Regular services take place and visitors are welcome to approach them respectfully if interested in experiencing the community's spiritual life.

The building preserves episcopal vestments from an early spiritual leader and houses a grand chandelier gifted by a Russian royal family. These objects tell stories of connections between San Francisco and the historical Russian empire.

Location: San Francisco

Made from material: wood

Website: https://holy-trinity.org

GPS coordinates: 37.79770,-122.42400

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:02